Ok, I'm getting to a point in the semester where I have a bit more time. Only two juries and a paper left! I had an interview this week for an assistantship, and I'm applying for two more. Please lift this up as you think of it. The Lord will take care of us.
Lisa and I have been reading Jeremiah lately. Chapter 20 is particularly interesting......dude is schizophrenic! Verse 13: " Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers." Verse 14: "Cursed be the day on which I was born!" What?! Reading that reminds me of the freedom we have to be ourselves before God. Jeremiah, David, Abraham, they all spoke their mind, and God allowed it to be included in the scriptures. It's better to tell the Lord how angry you are with Him and others than to pretend you're not angry at all. What a gracious God He is to allow us to say things like "you have deceived me, and I was deceived!" (v. 7)
Here is another quote:
'Execute justice in the morning,
and deliver from the hand of the oppressor
him who has been robbed,
lest my wrath go forth like fire,
and burn with none to quench it,
because of your evil deeds.'
I'll probably say more about this later, but justice and help for those in need is a BIG deal to God. I want us (Lisa and I) to consider more seriously how we can love and serve the poor more than we are now (which isn't really very much.....).
Did you know that if you have a savings account, you're among the wealthiest 8% of people in the world?
6 comments:
Ryan...here's a good paper regarding caring for the poor.
http://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID324006|CHID677216|CIID2324406,00.html
Curious to see your thoughts.
In Christ
Noah
I've only skimmed the first part of it, but they have some good things to say. One could be even more extreme in conveying the importance of the poor, since there are hundreds of verses on them. I also would have liked to hear his thoughts on a few passages in particular regarding the poor and money (James 2, Gal. 2:10, 2 Cor. 9, Matt. 6, Lk. 21). But it was good to hear him talk about the importance of meeting both spiritual and physical needs.
I will say that I think Americans tend toward giving less than we ought. Good grief, we're living in the wealthiest country in world history! It should be done as God leads, and I think God would lead us more if we let Him. :) The model of sacrifical giving (Luke 21--widow's mite) is good for us to consider.
I'll get into the second half of the paper soon. Looks like some political stuff......
My favorite verses on the poor are Luke 3:10-11. John the Baptist is talking to the crowd in general so no one can say, "Well, these verses only apply to certain people, not me." And, it seems pretty clear how we, with plenty, should be spending our plenty.
Luke 3
10And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" 11And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."
I do not claim to live this way. But, even I who work 20 hours a week have plenty and should be giving and giving and giving until I no longer have plenty or until every one around me has enough. And, I should not be making huge purchases just for entertainment purposes or for comfort when there are those around me who do not have enough food to eat.
Geoff,
Do you think giving material/physical things to others is a good thing or loving in and of itself...even if it is not accompanied by the proclamation of the gospel? I'm just curious what your thoughts are?
Convicting stuff.
In Christ,
Noah
Noah, good question. Really, I guess I don't have a good answer. I'd say that giving itself is good itself if it stems from your love for Christ even if you don't necessarily share the Gospel with someone. Just the giving can show Christ's love to people even if it is not accompanied by explanation of Christ's love. But, at some point there has to be more than just giving material possessions.
What are your thoughts?
I hear you Geoff...it seems though that the disciples/apostles were sent out proclaiming the gospel and repentance as well as meeting material needs.
To give material needs to folks and not share the gospel isn't a bad thing...but it's not more loving than sharing the gospel verbally. What's worse eternal suffering or physical temporal suffering? If there is a chance you won't see that person again (and there is always a chance) then it is most loving to share the gospel as well as give the cup of water. Does that make sense?
In Christ,
Noah
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