Using Firearms to the Glory of God

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

I'm 100% pro Second Amendment - I believe that the NFA is overreach. I however, believe this is a question every Christian with an expensive hobby needs to answer.

First off, I love your avatar. Big fan myself.
Second, if one really wanted to, they could scrutinize every last thing another person purchased from the food they decide to eat to the car they drive. No offense but I believe you're overthinking it.

 

[marineimaging]

I used to shoot both blackpowder and smokeless powder rifles and pistols -- until I had triple bypass surgery in September. Not wanting to lose the ability to shoot I bought some rifles and pistols, mostly CO2 powered. I found the following advantages: 1) they are quiet, 2) they are legal to shoot in my backyard, 3) the report won't bother the neighbors, 4) pellets are very inexpensive to shoot, 5) CO2 guns have zero recoil, 6) they are very accurate up to about 35 yards, 7) most important: the act of shooting focused my mind and definitely improved my post-surgery mental recovery.

I recent bought a break barrel .22 air rifle that has a low enough cocking effort that I can use it without fear of damaging my sternum. It's a fine rifle!

I had x3 and then 6 months of infection resulting in a redo, scraping and reconstruction. I gave it about 8 months after the second surgery and started with .22's, then .223, then .30-30, some skeet and trap, then full .308 and .30-06 after about 18 months. The reconstruction was far worse than the original opening so I can say with authority that unless you have something worse, you'll be back at it soon.

 

[marineimaging]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

If you allow a desire for firearms to take over where you are spending an exorbitant amount of money on the hobby rather than your due tithing and service to God you might be putting enmity between yourself and God. I know that all too well. In fact it was getting so bad I was forgoing my church time for shooting time. Then, one Sunday while on my way to the firing range I stopped off at a Sporting Goods store and while inside my gun and 300 rounds of hand loaded and tagged ammo was stolen. Another Sunday, when I should have been headed to church I was en-route to the range and BAM! I had an accident and got a ticket. Now, I am not saying that God did bad things to me. I am saying that had I been in Church rather than the firing range shooting up hundreds of rounds of ammo those things would not have happened to me. So, in James 4:4 "...Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." and Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." begs the question, are you letting the sport of shooting come between you and God? That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the sport. It means are you putting the sport before God and service? Are you robbing God and your family of your time and money? That is were the danger lies. Not because you do it, but because you choose it over responsibilities that you accepted becoming a Christian.

 

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

If you allow a desire for firearms to take over where you are spending an exorbitant amount of money on the hobby rather than your due tithing and service to God you might be putting enmity between yourself and God. I know that all too well. In fact it was getting so bad I was forgoing my church time for shooting time. Then, one Sunday while on my way to the firing range I stopped off at a Sporting Goods store and while inside my gun and 300 rounds of hand loaded and tagged ammo was stolen. Another Sunday, when I should have been headed to church I was en-route to the range and BAM! I had an accident and got a ticket. Now, I am not saying that God did bad things to me. I am saying that had I been in Church rather than the firing range shooting up hundreds of rounds of ammo those things would not have happened to me. So, in James 4:4 "...Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." and Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." begs the question, are you letting the sport of shooting come between you and God? That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the sport. It means are you putting the sport before God and service? Are you robbing God and your family of your time and money? That is were the danger lies. Not because you do it, but because you choose it over responsibilities that you accepted becoming a Christian.

Anything, and I mean anything, no matter how good, or harmless, can become an idol.

 

[Sketcher]

First off, I love your avatar. Big fan myself.
Second, if one really wanted to, they could scrutinize every last thing another person purchased from the food they decide to eat to the car they drive. No offense but I believe you're overthinking it.

One could, but understand me here:

1) This isn't for the purpose of judging other people, but one's self.
2) I think any expensive hobby is one that deserves such consideration.