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socialize_me
03-17-2009, 12:32 PM
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" - Chinese proverb also echoed by the Bible

It seems to be that really the only justified form of charity given the above premise is that you're giving to people who are disabled or otherwise incapable of working. So does that mean Christianity rules out homeless people that have nothing wrong with them? Like many of those people who tag along harassing you when you walk around in other countries asking for money, food, etc.?

Seriously...if you're able to walk to a charity or to follow me around asking for money, then you sure as hell can work, right? So basically unless you're giving to a charity that is helping cancer victims or those without any limbs, you're an enabler and aren't really helping. This would mean most charity is bullshit, right?

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 12:35 PM
Define "Christian principles". :rolleyes:

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 12:38 PM
Define "Christian principles". :rolleyes:

:rolleyes: you can't read

tremendoustie
03-17-2009, 12:38 PM
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" - Chinese proverb also echoed by the Bible

It seems to be that really the only justified form of charity given the above premise is that you're giving to people who are disabled or otherwise incapable of working. So does that mean Christianity rules out homeless people that have nothing wrong with them? Like many of those people who tag along harassing you when you walk around in other countries asking for money, food, etc.?

Seriously...if you're able to walk to a charity or to follow me around asking for money, then you sure as hell can work, right? So basically unless you're giving to a charity that is helping cancer victims or those without any limbs, you're an enabler and aren't really helping. This would mean most charity is bullshit, right?

No, I think you should give a man a fish, while you also teach him to fish. Sometimes teaching the man to fish involves teaching him to live responsibly, and not just a particular trade.

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 12:41 PM
No, I think you should give a man a fish, while you also teach him to fish. Sometimes teaching the man to fish involves teaching him to live responsibly, and not just a particular trade.

Okay, but charity doesn't work like that! When you go in to a soup kitchen, they give you food--they don't show you how to cook it or how to get it, they just hand it to you!

My point is that if you can get to the charity place on your own without a wheelchair or someone helping you, or if you're able to tag along and harass the hell out of me while I'm walking to a restaurant, then you can get off your ass and get a job and not have to rely on charity of others, which is just really a codeword for being a parasite.

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 12:43 PM
:rolleyes: you can't read What?

Define "Christian principles". :rolleyes: And APPARENTLY you can't EVEN define "Christian principles", just as I sadly figured. :p

Young Paleocon
03-17-2009, 12:47 PM
Charity is voluntary giving and indicative of the wealth and nature of the people. Socialism is the opposite, it is coercive confiscation which cultivates mediocrity and stagnation.

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 12:47 PM
What?

Define "Christian principles". :rolleyes: And APPARENTLY you can't EVEN define "Christian principles", just as I sadly figured. :p

What?

Again, you can't read :p

dannno
03-17-2009, 12:48 PM
Uhhh, the proverb never said don't give your fish to those who are incapable of fishing..

It also never said NOT to give the man the fish.. it just implied that you would be doing them a greater service to teach them to fish.

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 12:49 PM
What?

Again, you can't read :p What? And you can't answer. Pathetic! :p

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 12:49 PM
Charity is voluntary giving and indicative of the wealth and nature of the people. Socialism is the opposite, it is coercive confiscation which cultivates mediocrity and stagnation.

Has nothing to do with anything I said. I'm not talking about socialism, I'm asking how charity isn't a fucked up idea when it goes to people who are capable of working? In other words, I view legitimate charity as only going towards those who are incapable of working (i.e. you don't have limbs, you have a terminal illness, cancer, HIV, etc.) and the Bible points this out by saying that we should become fishermen and not just eat the damn fish other people hand us.

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 12:51 PM
What? And you can't answer. Pathetic! :p

Nah, I don't waste my time answering questions that were answered in the original post.

Again, scroll up, read, repeat. If you still can't find the answer to your question, then obviously nothing I will type would make it easier for you.

Good luck :p ;)

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 12:53 PM
Nah, I don't waste my time answering questions that were answered in the original post.

Again, scroll up, read, repeat. If you still can't find the answer to your question, then obviously nothing I will type would make it easier for you.

Good luck :p ;) I read and UNDERSTOOD your OP post BEFORE my FIRST thread reply. :p

tremendoustie
03-17-2009, 12:55 PM
Okay, but charity doesn't work like that! When you go in to a soup kitchen, they give you food--they don't show you how to cook it or how to get it, they just hand it to you!

My point is that if you can get to the charity place on your own without a wheelchair or someone helping you, or if you're able to tag along and harass the hell out of me while I'm walking to a restaurant, then you can get off your ass and get a job and not have to rely on charity of others, which is just really a codeword for being a parasite.

The best charities do not "just hand it to you". They develop a relationship with people over time, and help them become independent.

Also, remember, people can be effetively disabled in ways other than physically.

So, I would support a soup kitchen, but I would be more interested in supporting a charity that stays connected to people in the long term, rather than just giving handouts.

LibertyEagle
03-17-2009, 12:56 PM
I read and UNDERSTOOD your OP post BEFORE my FIRST thread reply. :p

Good, then stop spamming his thread. Move along.

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 12:58 PM
Good, then stop spamming his thread. Move along.

Define "Christian principles". :rolleyes:

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 01:02 PM
The best charities do not "just hand it to you". They develop a relationship with people over time, and help them become independent.

Also, remember, people can be effetively disabled in ways other than physically.

So, I would support a soup kitchen, but I would be more interested in supporting a charity that stays connected to people in the long term, rather than just giving handouts.

Fair enough, but I'm talking about those charities specifically in urban areas that just hand out food. I can understand if there's a hurricane or some sort of disaster, but to just hand out food and call it charity seems like it's just enabling people to do nothing for themselves. In actuality, it's like privatized unemployment benefits. The Government hurts the economy by giving the unemployed so many safety nets because the unemployed are not as motivated to find jobs. Conversely, the private sector hurts the economy by providing charity whose sole goal is to give food to those who can obviously walk there to get the food, but aren't motivated to get a job. Why should they? They're getting free shit that otherwise would cost money..

Probably the most disgusting example of this was on the news a few days ago where there was a line for food. Now unlike the 1930's where you saw people lined up for blocks to get a bowl of soup, these people were lined up IN THEIR CARS, WAITING, for food. Now something is fucked up with that picture...they're so poor that they have cars, and need food to the point where they are willing to pay for gas while their cars idle. Obviously this is one form of charity that is, in my opinion, "fucked up". Not only that but when the news says "OMG Things are so bad, look at how these Americans are suffering!" when the people in line are driving pickups and SUVs to get in line for food. It's complete bullshit.

Kraig
03-17-2009, 01:03 PM
Chinese Proverb = Christian principles???? :confused:

Or maybe I can't read either.

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 01:04 PM
Define "Christian principles". :rolleyes:

ACCORDING to dictionary.com

Christian–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.

Principle–noun
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.

There now STFU plz. Those definitions should satisfy you since that's the same annoying shit you reply with to other people.

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 01:06 PM
Chinese Proverb = Christian principles???? :confused:

Or maybe I can't read either.

Maybe you can't read.


- Chinese proverb also echoed by the Bible

axiomata
03-17-2009, 01:06 PM
Isn't giving of your time to teach a man to fish charity?

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 01:07 PM
ACCORDING to dictionary.com

Christian–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.

Principle–noun
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.

There now STFU plz. Those definitions should satisfy you since that's the same annoying shit you reply with to other people.

My post was NOT addressed to, NOR a reply to you.

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 01:09 PM
My post was NOT addressed to, NOR a reply to you.

My entire thread was not directed to you, but to those who could actually add something to the conversation.

I answered your original question twice--first by my original post and second by that post you apparently didn't appreciate. Leave if you're going to waste everyone's time for everyone elses' sake.

Kraig
03-17-2009, 01:10 PM
ACCORDING to dictionary.com

Christian–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.

Principle–noun
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.

There now STFU plz. Those definitions should satisfy you since that's the same annoying shit you reply with to other people.

That has nothing to do with it. That's like telling someone who has never had Chinese food before to look up "Chinese" and then "food" in the dictionary.

If you are so clever, why don't you just quote Jesus or someone else relevant to Christianity, instead of some Chinese proverb?

Personally, I don't ever remember seeing that in the Bible, BUT I think Jesus did say something along those lines on the 'sermon on the mount'? It would help this discussion if what he said exactly was brought to light, rather than a Chinese proverb. Pictures please though, I can't read.

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 01:12 PM
My entire thread was not directed to you, but to those who could actually add something to the conversation.

I answered your original question twice--first by my original post and second by that post you apparently didn't appreciate. Leave if you're going to waste everyone's time for everyone elses' sake. Bogus and insulting assumptions :p

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist)

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 01:14 PM
Isn't giving of your time to teach a man to fish charity?

Donating time to help someone else is fine, I have no problem with that. But when you're writing a check to a charity that is simply giving people food when they aren't crippled or disabled (mentally or physically), then you're essentially just giving a man a fish without teaching them that they have to get off their ass and do something.

Maybe I'm the only one here who has no compassion for people who harass me when I'm walking around in Mexico. Just because I'm white and American, they flock to me. It really pisses me off and shows the lack of character. Not only are these people capable of working, but they try to rip me off by telling me their life story. If your legs aren't broken, get a fucking job and stop looking to other people to wipe your ass. That's all I'm asking people!

Kraig
03-17-2009, 01:15 PM
Maybe you can't read.

Echoed how? Perfectly? Similar yet different? What changed? What stayed the same? If you want to be a literal idiot like I'm sure you do, then you would have to consider that echos rarely sound the same as the original sound, so some differences should be expected.

Is it really too much to ask that you quote what we are actually talking about, rather than something that resembles it to some degree?

socialize_me
03-17-2009, 01:16 PM
Bogus and insulting assumptions :p

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist)

:D

Truth Warrior
03-17-2009, 01:18 PM
:D Use the link, it solves SOME of your problems.

Kraig
03-17-2009, 01:19 PM
Donating time to help someone else is fine, I have no problem with that. But when you're writing a check to a charity that is simply giving people food when they aren't crippled or disabled (mentally or physically), then you're essentially just giving a man a fish without teaching them that they have to get off their ass and do something.

Maybe I'm the only one here who has no compassion for people who harass me when I'm walking around in Mexico. Just because I'm white and American, they flock to me. It really pisses me off and shows the lack of character. Not only are these people capable of working, but they try to rip me off by telling me their life story. If your legs aren't broken, get a fucking job and stop looking to other people to wipe your ass. That's all I'm asking people!

Given the people you described, then yes I would say it is wrong to give them charity handouts. They probably do need help, probably in the form of someone teaching them how to live better rather than giving them stuff. That said, I don't care to donate my time or funds to charity, so I'm not going to nitpick on the methods that other people use. Why do you care if it violates christian principles or not? Are you a christian?

Up The Deise
03-17-2009, 01:26 PM
Well I think being responsible for oneself is a Christian principle but it can be a principle of any or no belief system.

I don't like it when people call to my door looking for money. They go off on one and what they're all about and how much I can help. Most of them are charlatans.

When I go into town you encounter more chuggers (charity + muggers) accosting you in the street looking for money. How fooking rude. I pay them no attention anymore and I just say no thanks and continue to walk on.

A lot of 'charities' that are set up are scams anyway. Yes, they donate some of the money to their particular cause they champion but most run like a business, creaming off the majority of monies in the form of administration and expense costs. Bastards the lot of 'em.


My rule is that any charity that takes assistance off the government (taxpayer) is not a real charity and should be avoid.

moostraks
03-17-2009, 01:28 PM
Exodus 23:10-11
"For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but
during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the
poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may
eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive
grove.

Deuteronomy 15:7-10
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the
land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or
tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and
freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this
wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is
near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and
give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you
will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so
without a grudging heart
Deuteronomy 15:11
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you
to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in
your land.

Leviticus 19:10
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that
have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your
God.

Leviticus 23:22
" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very
edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave
them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' "

Proverbs 11:24-25
One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 28:22
A stingy man is eager to get rich
and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his
eyes to them receives many curses.

Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood

Ezekiel 16:49
" 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters
were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and
needy.

Mark 12:42-43
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,
worth only a fraction of a penny.Calling his disciples to him, Jesus
said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the
treasury than all the others.
Luke 11:41
But give what you have to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
Corinthians 9:6-9
Sowing Generously. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at
all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good
work. As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."
1 Timothy 6: 18-19
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous
and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for
themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may
take hold of the life that is truly life.

A selection of verses that are pertinent to your question. Giving, and the spirit to which giving occurs is important to both the giver and the receiver. Forcing a person to give does not inspire the correct attitude in either party involved. Christians should be willing to give everything they have if it is required of them (by God...) Property is a stumbling block to one's spirituality in many cases and must be put in its proper perspective.

The more the government "cares" for the poor the less effective the churchs have become and the more selfish and self-serving the parishioners seem to be becoming,imho. Henceforth the fad of the mcchurch with their big screen televisions so noone misses the church's message of giving.

Nirvikalpa
03-17-2009, 02:17 PM
A selection of verses that are pertinent to your question. Giving, and the spirit to which giving occurs is important to both the giver and the receiver. Forcing a person to give does not inspire the correct attitude in either party involved. Christians should be willing to give everything they have if it is required of them (by God...) Property is a stumbling block to one's spirituality in many cases and must be put in its proper perspective.

The more the government "cares" for the poor the less effective the churchs have become and the more selfish and self-serving the parishioners seem to be becoming,imho. Henceforth the fad of the mcchurch with their big screen televisions so noone misses the church's message of giving.

Very good post, I definitely agree.

heavenlyboy34
03-17-2009, 02:25 PM
Use the link, it solves SOME of your problems.

oh, snap! ;):D lolz

weslinder
03-17-2009, 02:30 PM
Mother Teresa had an edited version of Kent Keith's paradoxical commandments on her wall. I think they sum up the way a Christian should look at charity pretty well.

Mother Teresa's version:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Original:



People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

axiomata
03-17-2009, 02:41 PM
A great book on Christian giving (and forgiving) is Miroslav Volf's Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace (http://www.amazon.com/Free-Charge-Forgiving-Culture-Stripped/dp/0310265746).

pcosmar
03-17-2009, 03:13 PM
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" - Chinese proverb also echoed by the Bible



OK, This just irks me.
Please show me that in the bible. Show me any place where Christ taught this.
I do not believe that you can.

And Thank You moostraks. Excellent post.

Bman
03-17-2009, 03:22 PM
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" - Chinese proverb also echoed by the Bible

It seems to be that really the only justified form of charity given the above premise is that you're giving to people who are disabled or otherwise incapable of working. So does that mean Christianity rules out homeless people that have nothing wrong with them? Like many of those people who tag along harassing you when you walk around in other countries asking for money, food, etc.?

Seriously...if you're able to walk to a charity or to follow me around asking for money, then you sure as hell can work, right? So basically unless you're giving to a charity that is helping cancer victims or those without any limbs, you're an enabler and aren't really helping. This would mean most charity is bullshit, right?

By your comment. I can only assume you have never worked, helped or fully participated in anything charity.

JVParkour
03-17-2009, 03:23 PM
Yea. The Bible definitely does not "echo" that...

Of course charity does not violate a Christian principle, that is retarded. The Christian would be doing charity as an act og worship to God, and not concerned with whether or not they were giving away money to a scam or anything. This does not mean common sense is not used btw...

This is a stupid question.

moostraks
03-17-2009, 03:31 PM
OK, This just irks me.
Please show me that in the bible. Show me any place where Christ taught this.
I do not believe that you can.

And Thank You moostraks. Excellent post.:)You are welcome!

moostraks
03-17-2009, 03:31 PM
Very good post, I definitely agree.Thanks!

Original_Intent
03-17-2009, 04:13 PM
I'd respond that true charity is giving people what they need, not always what they want.

I went thru an unemployed period a few years back and got some assistance from my local church. In exchange for the financial help, they had me help a single older lady in our area winterize her swamp cooler, do some garden work for her, and also work at the local church run cannery for a day.

They took care of my bare minimum needs for a short time, but they didn't just give it to me. Two reasons for this, I think. One is for the recipient's self respect. I honestly think that anyone that is capable of work that panhandles or in other ways takes handouts while doing nothing - -I think that HARMS the recipient.

So I would say the charitable thing is to help those that need it as much as possible, in cases where they can literally do nothing for the assistance, you give freely. But there should always be the opportunity for the person you help to do something to "earn his daily bread".

That's my two cents.

RonPaulMania
03-17-2009, 09:53 PM
Easy answer. St. Paul says if a man does not work he does not eat. It's in the Bible. Christianity does not tolerater laziness or welfarism as a means of life as it is opposed to hard-work and being virtuous. Sloth is one of the 7 deadly sins.

jack555
03-17-2009, 10:01 PM
I think you clearly need to study up on the bible and reasoning skills. In no way in your OP did you show that the bible does not support giving to homeless man who has the ability to work. Not to mention citing a Chinese proverb and merely saying that (in your opinion) the bible echoes this is not a good way to go about a debate of christian principle.

idiom
03-17-2009, 10:02 PM
Pity should be shown to those in need of it. The important addition is that pity should not be shown to those who do not need it.

Unfortunatley broken theology like Calvinism leads to showing pity to everybody because humanity is held in such low esteem.

If anything the Bible advocates hiring the homeless man.

Theocrat
03-17-2009, 10:19 PM
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" - Chinese proverb also echoed by the Bible

It seems to be that really the only justified form of charity given the above premise is that you're giving to people who are disabled or otherwise incapable of working. So does that mean Christianity rules out homeless people that have nothing wrong with them? Like many of those people who tag along harassing you when you walk around in other countries asking for money, food, etc.?

Seriously...if you're able to walk to a charity or to follow me around asking for money, then you sure as hell can work, right? So basically unless you're giving to a charity that is helping cancer victims or those without any limbs, you're an enabler and aren't really helping. This would mean most charity is bullshit, right?

Your biggest fallacy is using a Chinese proverb to interpret what the Bible teaches about charity. You also have an unwarranted assumption that the principle of the Chinese proverb is preceded by any Biblical teaching on the subject of helping other people. Once you deal fairly with those two presuppositions of your post, then the answers will become obvious about what true charity is from a Biblical perspective.

idiom
03-17-2009, 10:20 PM
The Bible is much easier to understand in the Original Chinese.


Jesus Says:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/other/jesus-says.jpg

I consider Penny-Arcade to be Canon as well.

Truth Warrior
03-18-2009, 06:05 AM
General Christian Principles
The following principles should always be kept in mind. They will help prevent misinterpretation and misunderstanding of scripture and more importantly, they will stop you from straying. Most of these principles are rarely mentioned in the churches and have been sadly neglected even though they form the core of Christianity.

(Not in any particular order.)

The Beatitudes Matthew 5-7

The summation of Jesus’ 3 year ministry are found in these chapters.

The Parables Matthew 13 (& others)

As in all things, the greater the care, the better the work. Jesus meant us to be thinkers. The parables reinforce thought. A faith without examination is not faith.
Everyone trained in the Kingdom of Heaven will understand the parables (Matthew 2:51-52).

The 10 Commandments Exodus 20:1-17

These are neither outdated, nor superseded by Jesus’ resurrection. It is unchristian to ignore them.
The law was not abolished when Jesus rose from the dead. The law will not be abolished even when he returns. There is only a possibility the law will be abolished when heaven and earth pass away (Matthew 5:17-18).

Do the law and teach it to be great in heaven. Relax one of the commands and teach it as such, and you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Relax two commands and teach them as such, and you can forget about the Kingdom of Heaven.
The law is good. (1 Timothy 1:8)

God’s Will Matthew 7:21-23

Only those obedient to God’s will enter heaven. Claiming allegiance, faith, miracles, great works (the list is endless) is only hot air.

The Chosen Few

Despite the multitudes seen in heaven (see Revelation), the vast number unsaved is even larger. “Many are called, but few chosen,” is the rule (Matthew 22:14).

“Enter by the narrow gate...” (Matthew 7:13-14) Few travel on the road leading towards the gate of life. Fewer find it. Of those who do find it, many do not enter!

The Deceitful Heart

Do not fool yourself (Jeremiah 17:9-10). The entire Bible is about God’s plan continuing towards success in spite of perpetual human failure. Untold generations have fooled themselves into thinking they were right with God (Genesis 4:23-24). People will continue to do so. Test yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Who Is Saved?

The formula “believe and be saved” is not a guarantee. Who is saved is entirely up to the sovereign will of God (Exodus 33:19). Only He knows. One thing is certain. Those who are saved are obedient to God and they sin less (2 Timothy 2:19).

Anyone who claims to have a guarantee is misled and misleading Christians. (http://bibleissues.atspace.com/misc/guarantee.htm)

God’s Name & Word

God’s name and word have been exalted above everything in this world. Treat both with the utmost respect and care (Psalm 138:2).

The Holy Spirit

Only Jesus has the Holy Spirit (John 1:33), and only he baptizes with it. The Spirit comes and goes by the will of God (John 3:8), and most often we only notice it when it has passed. We can claim guidance by the Spirit, but it is inaccurate to claim we have it permanently or can pass it on to someone else.

Christian Duty

We are to teach all that Jesus commanded and taught. Many churches try to fulfill the Great Commission by only doing the first half! (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 6:2) Teaching comes before any other ministry.

The Praise Of Men

Whatever is praised by men is an abomination to God (Luke 16:15). Apply this fully to the world: economics, science, self-confidence, power, sex, sports, business, celebrities, democracy, freedom, money, politics, success, peace, business...

Food

No one is supposed to profit from food (Leviticus 25:37). If this most basic item is not a commodity to be exploited, has anyone the right to exploit and speculate on anything else? Does anyone have the right to make a “profit” on anything?

Old Age

A society that has not God fears old age. The striving for eternal youth is the search for immortality without God. Such a society does not respect old age (Leviticus 19:32, Psalm 71:18).

Cruel Kings

If you have not God, you worship something else, be it yourself, money, power, religion... Everyone eventually falls into enslavement. There are no exceptions. If you have not God, you will fall into the hands of a cruel king (Zechariah 11:6). (For more on this click here.) (http://bibleissues.atspace.com/misc/sinedei.htm)

Salvation & Reward

There are many types and levels of rewards. Some rewards have nothing to do with salvation, but are given because God is generous (Matthew 10:40-42).

There are levels of salvation. The Jews understand Exodus 6:6-7 to indicate different levels of redemption. The lowest level is simple physical separation from the world. The highest level is in becoming God’s people and knowing him.
Those who are “saved”, and are faithful will serve God in a higher capacity later (Luke 19:12-27). Those not faithful will be thrown out of God’s household (Matthew 25:30, Luke 9:62). Between these two states, there are many others.
God is just and reasonable. Simply because you have not believed in Jesus does not automatically condemn you to hell with all its punishments*. Conversely, just because you do believe in Jesus does not instantly mean all heaven is yours. For God to base all condemnation or reward simply on one small belief would be unreasonable.

(*Denying Jesus is not the same as not believing in him. Denial implies knowing Jesus and rejecting him. Unbelief is possible if you don’t know Jesus, or haven’t heard about him.)

Keep What You Have

To him who has, more will be given. To him who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Luke 19:26)! Make sure you are not in this last half.

Surprising Reversals

Many of those who were considered first, will be last. And many of those we think were last, will be first (Matthew 19:30).

Joy & Judgement

There is no joy without judgement. How can anyone be happy or joyful when it looks like the wicked escape? Where there is no judgement, wickedness increases and people boast of evil. (See Psalm 107.)

Health & Sin

The more sin, the more sickness. Where God forgives, there is health (Isaiah 33:24).

Limits Of Science

Without God, there is no success, even with science and technology. Genetic modification is a dead end without God. It will not prosper, and it will bring pain and suffering.

For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge; therefore, though you plant pleasant plants and set out slips of an alien god, though you make them grow on the day that you plant them, and make them blossom in the morning that you sow; yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain.

(Isaiah 17:10-11 RSV Italics added.)
Vain Worship

Make certain what you believe is entirely based upon the Bible, not on what people say, and not on the traditions of men.

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

(Matthew 15:8-9 RSV [See also: Isaiah 29:13-14].)
Salvation & Holiness

...guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

2 Timothy 1:14 RSV
The world wants salvation without holiness. This is impossible since it only comes through the Holy Spirit.

Three Things To Do 1 Timothy 4:5

Never neglect the public reading of scripture. There is nothing wrong with just reading what it says. Sermons are not always necessary. Go back to the original words of the Bible.
Publicly encourage each other to live as God directs from the scriptures.
Instruct from the scriptures.

http://bibleissues.atspace.com/misc/principles.htm (http://bibleissues.atspace.com/misc/principles.htm)

ConvertedRepublican
03-18-2009, 06:08 AM
2 Thessalonians 3:10 (New International Version)
10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
:D