Thread: In Search of True Christian Charity...........
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In Search of True Christian Charity...........
Posted : 5 Mar, 2011 05:11 PM
I am a conservative. I get my political views from the Bible, and
secondly from our constitution. I am a self-employed contractor, so signing contracts and upholding them to the letter and the spirit, is a very big part of my job.
I look at the Constitution as a type of contract between government officials and the people of America
I expect the constitution to be followed, and I am very unhappy that we have went so far from it.
I have nothing but disgust for the socialists in this country.
The fact that they feign compassion constantly, while doing the
opposite just makes me hate them more.
I have debated a few misguided souls who I think are Christians but have brought their liberalism with them, and they try to interpret the Bible through their allegiance to leftism.
The worst examples want to reduce the Bible to two verses and then misinterpret those two verses to fit modern leftist commandments.
Those verses are, or course:
1. "Judge not, lest ye be judged"
2. "Turn the other Cheek"
The misinterpretation is the modern leftist demands that no one ever say that anything is a sin, and that we should be pacifists.
When you explain to them that the Hebrew phrase "Turn the other cheek" meant not to sue someone even though you have the right, they are not interested. The Bible takes a back seat to their cherished political beliefs.
I have said all that to say this:
As a Christian, I know good and
well that compassion for the poor is my duty, and that God expects this of every believer who has the means to do so.
I want to get TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY CORRECT.
I have found out that the typical leftist government idea of charity is pretty much the opposite of what God says is charity.
I wish to help the poor. Not the artificial, always being redefined,
leftist definition of "poor", but what "poor" means in the Bible.
At one time I was very open minded about "the poor". Then, I became a property manager and watched the total abuse of welfare by the vast majority of people who were using it.
Then, I did something that changed me forever.
I went to the former soviet union.
I met actual poor people.
I had children come to me on the street begging.
It was quite a shock for a typical fat spoiled American like me.
I know there are some actual poor people in the USA.
But the vast majority that are counted as "poor" are not poor at all. Not according the Biblical definition. The word "poor" in the Bible is what we would call destitute.
I have decided that I will give to a couple of Christian charities, and if I actually know of someone who is in need, I will certainly give to them.
I am against ALL government "charities" because I think they just grow more "poor" people, so the Democrats will (in theory) have more folks who depend on them and vote for them.
We have the richest "poor" people in the whole world!
The majority of my charitable giving goes to actual poor people in
other countries.
One thing I would like to point out to anyone who might be influenced more by their leftwing politics than what the Bible says is that ALL the admonitions for us to give to the poor SPECIFICIALLY says that we are to give it PERSONALLY. There is no "nanny state" in the Bible.
So, If I am against government taking everyone's money, and then taking a HUGE chunk off the top, and giving the leftovers to whoever fills out the proper forms.....PLEASE don't confuse that with "not caring for the poor."
I am a Christian, and TRUE CHRISTIAN charity is very important to me.
"Conservatives are generous with their own money, liberals are
That was almost as much I's and IAM's as the book of John.
you said:
"I have nothing but disgust for the socialists in this country. The fact that they feign compassion constantly, while doing theopposite just makes me hate them more"
...What about those words reflects Christ? Seriously.
You have nothing but disgust for your fellow humans? If you want to have disgust for Sin, ok GOOOD! But having disgust for someone, is not Christ like in any manner.
You have Disgust, and HATRED, for a WHOLE group of people that you have just singled into your own opinon of what they do, by your own ignorant take on the half truths you get from Tv media? and from maybe a handfull of people you may have been around?
Even IF all Socialists are the scumm you are calling them sir, That would make them your enemies, ya? Arent we called to LOVE our enimies? Nothing in that post was meek, or loving.
First of All, you have NO IDEA how many ABSOLUTELY poor people there truly are in America, that get NO help. In The apilatian mountains, places in the dakotas. Even in the big cities...TRULY poor people. Veterans that NO ONE is truly helping, even people(conservative and liberal) who have time and time again promised to help them, have still proven to be liars.
...sigh...
you know...i would go on...but my brother... NO ONE is good. ESPECIALLY not political groups.
ONLY God is Good, and that post did NOT reflect Jesus, it reflected the majority of americans..sure...but NOT Jesus.
Im not a socialist, democrat, nor am i a republican. Honestly i Consider politics in any right, to be a "mistress". or Another GOD. or Another kingdom we are serving. As followers of Christ, we are not serving this world, nor ourselves...but others(as we pass them) and Jesus. We work for HIS kingdom and his kingdom is NOT of this world.
I dont post this to get under your skin brother, so if i have im sorry, its jsut...take a good hard look at that...That attitude is cold, and angry, and wrong.
This country is going down the tubes...and its republicans, democrats, liberals, what ever you want to call them...they are a bunch of little boys with too much money, and too much power, and there games cost lives.
NONE of them truly care about you, or anyone else they care about money, power and secret knoweldge.
A few things that you should look up.
The Decleration of "Indipendence" Was founded on
"the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God"
Not Jesus, not even the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob.
Almost ALL of our founding fathers were Deists, and Freemasons. (and most of our politicians still are to this day)
Look into how stable the American dollar is.(its not btw...I give it 2 years at most...but probably allot less then that) Once that falls, well before it fully falls, once China stops using it as an exchange...Woooboy! you think gas is expensive now? you think food is getting more expensive Now? haha...If you like helping poor people...well theres going to be tons of them soon...
Also look at the rise in earthquakes in the us. Specifically Arkansas....those things WILL increase.
I dont say this to instill fear in you or anyone...Just maybe a wakeup call...
I dunno, im sorry but that post just realy made me feel like this
That was almost as much I's and IAM's as the book of John.
James replies:
You know, the TITLE of this thread is about Christian charity, and I read your entire reply, and all you did was whine about my writing style and tone.
you said:
"I have nothing but disgust for the socialists in this country. The fact that they feign compassion constantly, while doing theopposite just makes me hate them more"
RK said:
...What about those words reflects Christ? Seriously.
James replies:
Proverbs 8:13 and Romans 12:9
"HATE what is evil..........."
In our culture RK, we need to make sure that the Jesus we know and worship is the real Jesus as revealed in Scripture, and not one created in movies.
RK continues:
You have nothing but disgust for your fellow humans? If you want to have disgust for Sin, ok GOOOD! But having disgust for someone, is not Christ like in any manner.
James replies:
Really? Do you have any Scripture that backs up your idea?
RK continues:
You have Disgust, and HATRED, for a WHOLE group of people that you have just singled into your own opinon of what they do, by your own ignorant take on the half truths you get from Tv media? and from maybe a handfull of people you may have been around?
James replies:
I hope you are ready for this.......
Liberalism has become a kind of quasi-religion. Everything about is evil and self-destructive. Everything about it, is anti-Christ, and anti American. The media you spoke of has been for the last forty years owned and run by leftists. Only recently, have there been media outlets on TV that are not leftist.
RK continues:
Even IF all Socialists are the scumm you are calling them sir, That would make them your enemies, ya? Arent we called to LOVE our enimies? Nothing in that post was meek, or loving.
James replies:
1. Loving your enemies is something you do in person, which would make your complaint meaningless.
2. Nothing in my post was loving? Perhaps you should read the title again and slowly this time.
3. It sounds like your entire complaint is "Don't ever sound mean or negative because that is not Christian to sound mean or negative".
That is whiny, and emotionally driven.
RK continues:
First of All, you have NO IDEA how many ABSOLUTELY poor people there truly are in America, that get NO help. In The apilatian mountains, places in the dakotas. Even in the big cities...TRULY poor people. Veterans that NO ONE is truly helping, even people(conservative and liberal) who have time and time again promised to help them, have still proven to be liars.
James replies:
I agree with you about some folks in the Appalachian mountains, and in some places in big cities.
However, even those folks COULD leave those areas and get jobs in other areas of the USA.
There is NO constitutional right to remain in an area with no jobs, and expect others to take care of you.
And your reply does not even touch on the amount of welfare fraud, or abuse, or just the people who COULD get a job if they had no other choice, but because welfare is just a matter of filling out forms, they live off the hard work of others.
The Bible has PLENTY to say about lazyness, and we both know that modern liberal, Politically correctness, does not allow you to mention that or you will get whiny responses about how you don't care for the poor. Kind of like what you have done here!
RK continues:
...sigh...
you know...i would go on...but my brother... NO ONE is good. ESPECIALLY not political groups.
ONLY God is Good, and that post did NOT reflect Jesus, it reflected the majority of americans..sure...but NOT Jesus.
James replies:
Okay, I will try and sum it up for you.
TRUE Christian charity, and WELFARE are the opposite!
Did you know that the Apostle Paul instructed Christians to help other Christians for THREE DAYS worth of food, etc, and then after that commanded them to WORK!!!
Gasp!! Did you know that the apostle Paul said,
"if they don't work then they shouldn't eat"!!
Do you know that welfare and food stamps are programs you can be on for years and the person is NEVER required to do ANY work for them????
I think you need some Bible study on true Christian charity, and THEN come back and tell me what you think.
RK continues:
Im not a socialist, democrat, nor am i a republican. Honestly i Consider politics in any right, to be a "mistress". or Another GOD. or Another kingdom we are serving. As followers of Christ, we are not serving this world, nor ourselves...but others(as we pass them) and Jesus. We work for HIS kingdom and his kingdom is NOT of this world.
I dont post this to get under your skin brother, so if i have im sorry, its jsut...take a good hard look at that...That attitude is cold, and angry, and wrong.
James replies:
You sound like a young Christian man, who is more emotionally driven, than logical, and that's okay, but you need more Bible study that is for certain.
RK continues:
This country is going down the tubes...and its republicans, democrats, liberals, what ever you want to call them...they are a bunch of little boys with too much money, and too much power, and there games cost lives.
James replies:
I will let you have the last word.
In Christ,
James
NONE of them truly care about you, or anyone else they care about money, power and secret knoweldge.
A few things that you should look up.
The Decleration of "Indipendence" Was founded on
"the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God"
Not Jesus, not even the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob.
Almost ALL of our founding fathers were Deists, and Freemasons. (and most of our politicians still are to this day)
Look into how stable the American dollar is.(its not btw...I give it 2 years at most...but probably allot less then that) Once that falls, well before it fully falls, once China stops using it as an exchange...Woooboy! you think gas is expensive now? you think food is getting more expensive Now? haha...If you like helping poor people...well theres going to be tons of them soon...
Also look at the rise in earthquakes in the us. Specifically Arkansas....those things WILL increase.
I dont say this to instill fear in you or anyone...Just maybe a wakeup call...
I dunno, im sorry but that post just realy made me feel like this
This thread was not about christian charity, which was ,y point...this thread was about YOU.
You put the emphasis on YOU. and your hatred and disgust, for a people.
Again hate sin brother, not the people. if a socialist sins, hate that sin, love that socialist. if a republican sins(and OH boy do they...becasue they ARE HUMAN!...and not resting in Jesus) then you hate the sin not the repbulican.
Taht post was about how great you and your political stances, wheather you want to see it as such or not.
Meanwhile, if you truly wanted to have apost about charity, you would have truly went into charity, "socialist" Charities(of whohc some truly do help people) and Repbulican charities(of which some DO NOT truly help people)
that was just a James show.
Maybe i was wrong for even saying anything, but i kinda like you, you have a good heart, I hope i was not being disrespectfull in anyway... Just now brother its not about polotics, nor is it about US, its about JESUS, in ALL our ways. in everything.
6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone�s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Here we have a command to NOT give charity to a Christian who refuses to work.
This is the opposite of welfare in America.
In America, if you fill out the forms, and you qualify, then you just get a check every single month no matter what.
You don't even have to look for work!
My main point I wish to make about the difference between the modern liberal definition of charity, and the Biblical definition of charity, is that liberal "charity" is just income redistribution.
guilt ridden liberals, wishing to make themselves feel better, vote for politicians who STEAL money from those who earn it, and take a huge cut off the top, and then give out the rest to anyone who fills out forms!
THIS IS NOT CHARITY!
According to Scripture, what I give is first off to be from my hand personally, To the person who is TRULY needy, and is willing to work to better their situation.
And we have other guidelines in Scripture as well.
Suppose I know a man who is a habitual drunk.
His hands are shaking and he tells me he needs money to buy some food for His children.
IF.......I truly wish to HELP someone, I am NOT going to give that man money! I would go with the man and buy some food for his children. I might talk with him while doing it, and try to convince him of his duty to find work, and to stop getting drunk.
And here is another thing that makes me angry about liberals in our government.
BAD charity drives out good charity!
Take the same man who is a habitual drunk.
He is standing there with his hands shaking, wanting another bottle.
I offer to buy his children some food, but the GOVERNMENT will just give him a check, to buy anything he wants!
WHOM do you think the man will turn to???
The whole reason I wanted to talk about this, is that Scripture is full of commands for the People of God to help the poor.
I mean, I bet there are FIFTY verses of Scripture that command us to give to the poor.
If we Christians want to obey God in this very important area, then we have to know that just paying our taxes, and being for welfare programs does NOT fulfill ANY of what God has said about charity.
Well, Twosparrows, I think we Christians should pay a little taxes as possible.
The welfare state is encouraging people to be lazy and to take money from those who earn it.
The government provides them with a way to steal.
I also think we should be CAREFUL when we give money to any charity or a person.
we should think if it is really helping them, or just helping them to continue to live sinfully.
One thing I have not mentioned, but I got it from a preacher on the radio, is that when Jesus talked about the Good Samaritan, that road he went on was notorious for bandits.
So, the man who got beat up and robbed was doing something stupid. And the preacher made the point that even though the man did something really stupid, the good Samaritan STILL helped him. I think we should help someone even though they might have done something dumb and that is why they need help.
I read that a lot of people in America did not want to help Katrina victims because people were saying it was their own fault they did not leave when they were told to.
I agree, they didn't leave when they were told to, but I think we should still help them anyway, and MANY Christian groups have done all kinds of great things for Katrina victims.
Helping the poor is NOT a side issue in the Christian life, and we have to be WISE about it.
I also believe that the welfare state is NOT Christian charity in ANY way.
James I have also been to the former Soviet Union. I understand that some of those people do noy have our riches.But many of them I think are better off with out them. I also understand we can go into their schools and preach Jesus. Dennis
Shared ~ Suppose I know a man who is a habitual drunk.
His hands are shaking and he tells me he needs money to buy some food for His children. IF.......I truly wish to HELP someone, I am NOT going to give that man money! I would go with the man and buy some food for his children. I might talk with him while doing it, and try to convince him of his duty to find work, and to stop getting drunk.
Do you not take the Time to Proclaim the Gospel ?
God's Will...Give the man $$$. God's Will...buy him food...God's Will...sit and talk with him...Do you know Jesus* ?...Gods Will...Share the Gospel a paperback New Testament...God's Will...leave the BOOK with the man and ask God's Blessing for the man...It is not business what the man does after that...It is only my business doing God's Will...Always...
Jude asked, "Do you not take the Time to Proclaim the Gospel ?"
Amen, Sister! Many a testimony come from those who were in the darkest pit of life, and while most just looked at them with disdain, there was that one sweet soul that shared the Gospel unto Salvation.
