Please Help Me Understand

~Anastasia~ said:

That's great. Mine is a reliable model of Toyota - some report 300k miles and I'm hoping mine will last that long. I'm getting close to 200k miles. The engine does make a noise off and on but I'm thinking and hoping it's a minor part and it's been going on for 3 years. I have an ugly dent from being rear-ended at a stoplight a couple of months ago, but I just put the insurance payment toward bills. I dread the thought of having to replace it someday. Besides, I don't have to get upset when people are careless and ding it in the parking lot - which I've had them do when I'm sitting in it, lol. Good practice for being patient.

The only thing I don't like is it's not really safe IMO to travel long distances alone so I'm not able to visit family or monasteries, etc.

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Mine is a Toyoya Prius, a hybrid car. It is about to turn 120,000 miles and I need to take it in for the 120,000 check-up.

Basil the Great said:

Mine is a Toyoya Prius, a hybrid car. It is about to turn 120,000 miles and I need to take it in for the 120,000 check-up.

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Our priest drives a Prius. I didn't realize they were available back then.

~Anastasia~ said:

Our priest drives a Prius. I didn't realize they were available back then.

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When I bought mine in early 2003, they told me that they had been out for 3 years in the U.S., but even longer in Japan. I love my Prius and I get about 50 mpg, maybe 44 in cold weather, though the figures have dropped slightly in the last few years to perhaps 48/42, depending upon how I drive. I got 53 mpg on my out-of-state trip last week, but I did average about 60 mph.

Madsaac said:

We all know there are many poor people in our world, in our local communities, our country and globally. And we know there are many wealthy Christians in the world as well.

How is it then, if Jesus said we need and must help the poor, that many Christians do not? Many Christians in the western world have two cars or an expensive car, have jewellery, have a big TV and so on.

Is this not wrong?

Even though Christians know there are many people worse off that they do not give up their materiel possessions to help the less fortunate?

If one is to live like Jesus and to be in heaven for all eternity after death then surely it would be an easy decision to give up ones possessions for the less fortunate? However most western Christians do not, fact.

Therefore is it fair to assume that God and Jesus will judge you more harshly than non Christians for pretending to live under the guise of Jesus whilst not living like he would want you too.

Thank you

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The need is great and yes we could do better. We have free choice in everything and each of us will be held accountable for everything we think, say do or not do.

Matthew 26:11

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

Individual choices .... individual judgement.

Thank God we have Jesus to stand in our stead.

Isaiah 53

Madsaac said:

Even though Christians know there are many people worse off that they do not give up their materiel possessions to help the less fortunate?

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Jesus does not say were are to live in poverty to help those who do live in poverty. The question is, "how much is enough?"

2/3 of the world live on less than 2 dollars a day millions of children starving to death. The rich western nations have their material needs met now. The next step is to help others in poorer countries not with just $$ but with expertise they have in setting up economies that function .Which will also open up new markets raising the whole.

People in these poor countries also have to be taught Jesus Christ's real teachings instead of the false preachers that are keeping them trapped in poverty. "To be wise as serpents " you have to know there are serpents and they are stealing from these people their resources , through corruption . They have to be taught to multiple they're talents so God can give them a return on them.

We are not going to stand judgement for what other Christians do or don't do. We stand judgement for what we individual Christians do or don't do. We also are not qualified to pass judgement. That is the job of God. We will judge angels, who have not material possessions to pass out or avoid the temptation of. We need to see Christ in everyone. From the richest to the poorest. We should have the faith that God gives His graces as He sees fit, though His perfect and divine forgiveness, love and justice. We need to work out our own individual salvation in fear and trembling. This should ideally occupy enough of our time, that we need not sweat what Mr. and Mrs. suburbia are or are not doing for their fellow man. It could be much more or much less that we have any right to assume or know. The widow with her mite was good in Christs eyes. But so was Zecchaus the rich man who said he would give only 1/2 of his riches to the poor, and treat his servants fairly. It's what's in the individual heart with the grace they've been given.

Madsaac said:

We all know there are many poor people in our world, in our local communities, our country and globally. And we know there are many wealthy Christians in the world as well.

How is it then, if Jesus said we need and must help the poor, that many Christians do not? Many Christians in the western world have two cars or an expensive car, have jewellery, have a big TV and so on.

Is this not wrong?

Even though Christians know there are many people worse off that they do not give up their materiel possessions to help the less fortunate?

If one is to live like Jesus and to be in heaven for all eternity after death then surely it would be an easy decision to give up ones possessions for the less fortunate? However most western Christians do not, fact.

Therefore is it fair to assume that God and Jesus will judge you more harshly than non Christians for pretending to live under the guise of Jesus whilst not living like he would want you too.

Thank you

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I appreciate your post - thank you for broaching this subject. As a believer, it really, really gets me inflamed when I see a Christian woman with a big, fat diamond rock on her finger. And that's just for starters. Unfortunately American materialism and greed is so pervasive in our culture that it still influences the church; this attitude has been helped along with the erroneous "prosperity gospel" as well.

I think the apostle Peter, in his first letter, has a great rebuttal to such greed in the western Church. 1 Peter 4:17-18 reads -

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

If Paul, Peter, and James were around to witness this lack of charity materialism, there would be
some serious rebuking to be done. Ouch! I feel the pain already.

By the way, on a theological note, Christians will not spend eternity in heaven but rather on a renewed earth; heaven is a temporary abode for those believers who die prior to Christ's final return.

Madsaac said:

We all know there are many poor people in our world, in our local communities, our country and globally. And we know there are many wealthy Christians in the world as well.

How is it then, if Jesus said we need and must help the poor, that many Christians do not? Many Christians in the western world have two cars or an expensive car, have jewellery, have a big TV and so on.

Is this not wrong?

Even though Christians know there are many people worse off that they do not give up their materiel possessions to help the less fortunate?

If one is to live like Jesus and to be in heaven for all eternity after death then surely it would be an easy decision to give up ones possessions for the less fortunate? However most western Christians do not, fact.

Therefore is it fair to assume that God and Jesus will judge you more harshly than non Christians for pretending to live under the guise of Jesus whilst not living like he would want you too.

Thank you

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There is a vast difference between a Follower of Jesus and a Christian.

Very very seldom will you find both existing within one person.

Madsaac said:

That's what I don't understand, you say its not for others to judge but that's what Christianity and other religions do all the time.

And I'm judging that selfish people or Christians who know that people are starving and in dire need do not share enough. And the evidence is there for all to see through the demographic make up of the world.

So for Christians to say people should do this and do that, well look in your own backyard first and sell that large diamond ring and give more to the poor.

I think its called its called hypocrisy

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It's a paradox for sure. I understand how Christians look to non-Christians. Sometimes deservedly so. Most times not. While we understand fully that only God will judge at the end of time, we are also given to understand that it is the responsibility of the Christian to tell the truth to the world, (spread the Gospel). We aren't supposed to sit on our hands and keep our tongues still. Many things come off hypocritical, because even as we spread the Lord's Gospel, which is perfection, we are ourselves fallen creatures and sinners. This doesn't change the nature of the truth. It only goes to the credibility of the messengers. So.....the secret is to tell the truth in love. We don't shy away from the perfection preached by the Christ and His appointed Apostles. It is a task we have all been given. The world will rarely welcome the Gospel, because since Jesus Himself, it is always preached by redeemed sinners. The important thing is that the message, however, is from God. The message is perfect. Also....speaking the truth and speaking the Gospel, no matter how uncomfortable it is for the hearer, is not judgement. It is simply a sharing of the truth. I don't think that all, or even very many Christians are judgemental. They appear that way because of the perfect morality they are sharing. There is a lot to be said for presentation. Many aren't letting the Holy Spirit guide their communications with unbelievers. It may seem that they ARE being personally judgemental, rather than simply a struggling disciple passing on the perfect message of His savior. I do know that bullhorns don't work. They turn people away. The best we should do is to witness about our experience and relationship with Jesus Christ. But I pray that even the worst of the bullhorn presenters are doing so in some form of tough love. If they didn't love their brothers and sisters, they would keep the teaching of the Lord hidden. They would be content with their own salvation, but to keep it, they must give it away.

Tolworth John said:

Two questions.
1. These well off people, how do you know they are Christian?
2. How is it you have access to their financal records to know they are not helping the poor?

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Let's just say this: if Ken Ham would spend 100 million dollars on helping the poor instead of building his ridiculous "Ark Encounter", then maybe I'ld be half impressed.

Madsaac said:

And we know there are many wealthy Christians in the world as well.

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Which is not a sin, unless that person is making an idol of their wealth.

Madsaac said:

How is it then, if Jesus said we need and must help the poor, that many Christians do not?

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Statistics show that Christians commonly give the most to charity out of all people, so I don't agree with this claim.

Madsaac said:

Many Christians in the western world have two cars or an expensive car, have jewellery, have a big TV and so on.

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Which again is not a sin unless it has become an idol.

Madsaac said:

Is this not wrong?

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Depends on the heart of the individual. And how much they give to charity is between them and God.

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? Did Jesus come to feed and clothe the poor? Or did He come to make dead man live by His grace? Feeding and clothing the poor is the by-product of salvation, but it is not the gospel. You can provide for the poor, and we should, but if you never call them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, you are only making them slightly more comfortable on the road to eternal Hell.

Madsaac said:

However most western Christians do not, fact.

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Amazing that you know the hearts of other mankind.

Madsaac said:

Therefore is it fair to assume that God and Jesus will judge you more harshly than non Christians for pretending to live under the guise of Jesus whilst not living like he would want you too.

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Again you are claiming to know the heart of man. Only God knows the heart of man.

Madsaac said:

And I'm judging that selfish people or Christians who know that people are starving and in dire need do not share enough. And the evidence is there for all to see through the demographic make up of the world.

So for Christians to say people should do this and do that, well look in your own backyard first and sell that large diamond ring and give more to the poor.

I think its called its called hypocrisy

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Or the computer/mobile device you're using to post this message?

Madsaac said:

So you agree but I'm not doing under the guise of Jesus/Christianity

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It was a question, not a statement.

DogmaHunter said:

Let's just say this: if Ken Ham would spend 100 million dollars on helping the poor instead of building his ridiculous "Ark Encounter", then maybe I'ld be half impressed.

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Study the facts Christians and other religous type out give atheists and liberals despit often earning far more than athiests etc.

Put your money where your month is and set up an atheist society that gives to the poor.