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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 243
BellaOnline Editor Shark
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BellaOnline Editor Shark
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 243 |
Something to consider: Proverbs 18:21 to support the comment about watching the words that come out of your mouth.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" Prov 18:21 KJV
Words kill, words give life;
they're either poison or fruit�you choose. (Prov 18:21 The Message Bible)
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 312
Shark
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Shark
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 312 |
A minister I once knew asked why, if God did not cut Jesus any slack in the category of life's difficulties, He should cut the rest of us any. I think people who tell us that God intends for us to have this or that asset or problem are not conveying any special, personal knowledge of what God intends. They are just blowing smoke. Some of those people are even deliberately misleading other people.
The idea that God intends for us to be wealthy, to me, is especially misleading. If Mother Teresa had taken that statement as some kind of inside knowledge, she might have figured her efforts on behalf of the poor were completely misguided. Then there's my husband's uncle who spent almost 30 years of his adult life in the Sudan (Africa) trying to help people. Wow, what loser, I guess.
The world is definitely not a perfect place. It is downright scarey and dangerous at times. God gives us the "seeds" of spiritual wealth. I use the seed metaphor (which I got from my current minister) because we have to nurture those gifts or they wither and die like a garden no one tends. He gives us precious little that we don't have to work for--maybe He knows what would happen if He gave us a full-blown perfect world. Oh, wait, He did try that . . .
For me, personally, I think the world is a huge reflection of God's overall plan of allowing us free will. Things go amiss sometimes, and there's often no obvious reason for some of the bad things. Imagine, too, if the world were not fraught with pitfalls and, yet, we were still endowed with free will. What would we learn from that experience? I think, for now, we are stuck in a very unpredictable place. I also think that God knows what He created and He knows each of our limitations. I'm betting my cards on His knowing there's a better place waiting for us, a place that will make "earth" a very dim memory one day.
I also think that relying on God is way easier than pushing Him away. When I was a lot younger, it hit me suddenly one day that, if I could be mad at God, He must be there and maybe I should work on my attitude. For me, that was the start of a lot of "seeking God." Years later, I'm still amazed at how many places in the Bible contain the advice to seek God. To me, this says that we do not need perfect faith to believe--only a seeking heart.
If we wait for the world to make perfect sense, we will die waiting. To me, what is truly essential in this life is that we never give up seeking God--never stop tending our "garden," even when it seems hopeless.
Certainly God can handle the occasional bad attitude from us--as long as we are still talking to Him, giving Him time to answer, and never giving up.
cela
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,708
BellaOnline Editor Zebra
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BellaOnline Editor Zebra
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,708 |
I've always had a problem with the "Name it, Claim it" teaching especially with regards to money. I don't believe as a Christian, I should be chasing after money. Yes, I need a certain amount of money in order to survive and pay bills, but I certainly don't need to be rich. I think that is making money into a god. I've been living at poverty level for the past three years now (since my husband walked out) and I tithe. I have more than enough money to pay for the things we need. That's NEED, not want - try explaining that concept to a 14 year old daughter LOL  Vance, I understand the "I can't afford to tithe" feeling. Yes, you are missing blessings because you don't tithe. However, God loves a cheerful giver & if you give begrudgingly you might as well not give. IMO Then again, you should not use that as an excuse to not give. LOL My ex-husband would say "I'm not going to be a cheerful giver, so I won't tithe." I really never understood that attitude. Oh well. I do believe God allows hardship to come into our lives. Sometimes, it's to teach us something. Sometimes, it's to teach someone else something. When I went through my divorce, I never blamed God for it. I knew there was a reason for it & I would be much happier once it was done. I also felt I was going through the divorce to possibly be an example to other people about how God takes care of you even when things get hard and/or how to handle hard situations with some sort of grace. Or maybe, I had that experience so I can help out someone at a later point in time. Or perhaps it's so I'll be a better wife to my next husband? Ok, I've rambled enough.... 
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29 |
So obvisouly God does NOT want me to be rich, and I think he wants me to be halfway insane along with it.
So true! I relate to your story. While growing up my little sister had an AVM bleed in her brain when she was 13(similar to an aneurysm), after miraculously surviving she went through a lot of anger management problems. I blamed God for 5 or 6 years. I still do blame God but I am not angry at him for it any more. I can not understand with anyone thinking God wants them to be rich unless you are planning on giving your riches away.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 318
Shark
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Shark
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 318 |
I think that to whom much is given, much is expected. However, I know people who get rich and are not responsible with the money, and I know people who get rich by taking advantage. I think those are just examples of our sinful nature and greed creeping in. I think Dave Ramsey is a good one to listen to when it comes to money and finance and when it comes to tv evangelists who seem to be doing it only for the money, I say give locally instead of to them if you have a problem with them and their legitimacy.
Michelle
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,053
Parakeet
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Parakeet
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,053 |
Interesting topic. Glad I found it. Jesus said a mouthful when he said "in this world you will have tribulation". From birth to death, expect and ask the Lord to help you deal with your circumstance. On another note, the topic at hand. The rich set in judment of the poor daily and condemn them for not having things better in their lives. They blame the poor for being a tax burden and so many other things. This is happening today just as it did in Jesus' day. Most of the wealth of the rich comes from the poor. How you say? You will never see a rich man working in a factory making diamond jewels or an oil mill drilling for oil, or a fish farm catching and dressing fish. All of these things and so many others, come through the hands and sweat of the poor man's brow. The food on a rich man's table is prepared by the poor. The clothing we wear are made by poor factory workers. Even the bricks that have built six million dollar homes, were prepared by poor laborers.
So I say, it is a real blessing to be poor. Name one scripture in your bible where Jesus compliments the rich. Never. Not one! "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." "Jesus said unto him, If you wilt be perfect, go and sell tht thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." and lastly,"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."
There is a certain peace in being poor that the rich man will never enjoy. After all what more can you attain, once rich but MORE STUFF. Even Solomon, a very wise man, said this, "all the labor of man is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not filled". Sad. I know many don't read the bible and those of us who have them, don't read enough or with understanding but in it holds the key to eternal life and is presented to all men alike. (It starts with Acts 2:38).
I end here. I'm not highly educated but one who believes the pages on her bible and if read and studied, one would know that God has willed it so that poverty exist in this world but guess what? It will not keep us from receiving eternal life. "Take heed and beware of coveteousness for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things in which he possesseth". Well said Jesus. Well said. We as finites will never, ever cease from wanting. In our poverty, cause I don't think anyone of us here is rich....let us be wise and trust God to supply our every need. Not Mr. McCain or Mr.Obama but God. He's done it for so many, read your bibles. He is the overall provider and so, does God want me to be rich, you to be rich, No. If we only knew what God has in store for those who trust him and obey his word and LIVE by his word, would they then, see life, contently and beautiful, as we await the day without troubles when we reign with him.
Last edited by Kimmie08; 10/23/08 01:30 PM.
Kimberly C. Cannon, Former Bulb Gardening Editor
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,582
BellaOnline Editor Wolf
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BellaOnline Editor Wolf
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,582 |
Interesting topic. Glad I found it. Jesus said a mouthful when he said "in this world you will have tribulation". From birth to death, expect and ask the Lord to help you deal with your circumstance. On another note, the topic at hand. The rich set in judment of the poor daily and condemn them for not having things better in their lives. They blame the poor for being a tax burden and so many other things. This is happening today just as it did in Jesus' day. Most of the wealth of the rich comes from the poor. How you say? You will never see a rich man working in a factory making diamond jewels or an oil mill drilling for oil, or a fish farm catching and dressing fish. All of these things and so many others, come through the hands and sweat of the poor man's brow. The food on a rich man's table is prepared by the poor. The clothing we wear are made by poor factory workers. Even the bricks that have built six million dollar homes, were prepared by poor laborers.
So I say, it is a real blessing to be poor. Name one scripture in your bible where Jesus compliments the rich. Never. Not one! "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." "Jesus said unto him, If you wilt be perfect, go and sell tht thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." and lastly,"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."
There is a certain peace in being poor that the rich man will never enjoy. After all what more can you attain, once rich but MORE STUFF. Even Solomon, a very wise man, said this, "all the labor of man is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not filled". Sad. I know many don't read the bible and those of us who have them, don't read enough or with understanding but in it holds the key to eternal life and is presented to all men alike. (It starts with Acts 2:38).
I end here. I'm not highly educated but one who believes the pages on her bible and if read and studied, one would know that God has willed it so that poverty exist in this world but guess what? It will not keep us from receiving eternal life. "Take heed and beware of coveteousness for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things in which he possesseth". Well said Jesus. Well said. We as finites will never, ever cease from wanting. In our poverty, cause I don't think anyone of us here is rich....let us be wise and trust God to supply our every need. Not Mr. McCain or Mr.Obama but God. He's done it for so many, read your bibles. He is the overall provider and so, does God want me to be rich, you to be rich, No. If we only knew what God has in store for those who trust him and obey his word and LIVE by his word, would they then, see life, contently and beautiful, as we await the day without troubles when we reign with him. I just stumbled on this thread and couldnt wait to reply in it until I read this response from Kimmie. Nothing else really can be said after that. It was beautifully written and answers all aspects of the thread. Wonderfully done, Kimmie. It was a pleasure to read.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,053
Parakeet
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Parakeet
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,053 |
Thanks Vance. Those words were definitely from a spiritual point of view. Again thanks.
Kimberly C. Cannon, Former Bulb Gardening Editor
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Koala
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Koala
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172 |
Personally, I don't think God cares how much money we do or don't have. God cares whether or not we use what we have appropriately; and whether or not we elevate money to the status of godship and make it the be all/end all of our exsistence.
Neal Boortz ran a column in 2002 on this very topic and included a couple of quotes that I feel are extremely pertinent to the current situation we find ourselves in: "If you accept that the vast majority of those you call 'rich' got there through hard work, then don't you have to ask yourself why you're not one of them?" That's not a popular thing these days. Obviously, the Michael Dells and Ross Perots of the world never worked a day in their lives. They've no clue about the rest of the world. They only give money because they think they'll get a tax break. They have no social conscience. They exist only to oppress those who work for them.
Lord, I hope we know better! But, we're told that people will go for any excuse to explain why they don't have enough of what they think they want. "People who want to get rich [however they define it; but haven't hit that point for whatever reason] fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:9-10
As Boortz said, "It's just so much easier to cast them [the rich] as callous, selfish monsters and evil exploiters of the working class while preserving the mantle of goodness and righteousness for yourself." Its very easy for me to blame the mysterious "them"; but I endeavor not to. "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." Philippians 4:12-13
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,111
Parakeet
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Parakeet
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,111 |
Billy Graham is rich. But he does not call himself rich. He calls himself a "steward."
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