Isaiah 8:11-13
"11 For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’
In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,
And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
13 “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy.
And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread."
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Willful Ignorance
When the Lord has clearly spoken what we are to do and we ignore it, we are sinning.
Many people do not read their Bibles or take heed to what is written there if they do read it. They do this because they do not want to obey.
In their heart of hearts they know they will be responsible for what they have discovered, so they determine to remain ignorant. It is called willful ignorance.
There is a Biblical principle that is often spoken of in our laws. The saying goes like this, "Ignorance of the Law is no excuse."
When we don't know the answer we are responsible to ask God for it. If we do not ask God we will be responsible for not asking and not knowing.
When we drag our feet in obedience to Him, after He has revealed truth to us, then we are disobeying willfully.
James 4:17
"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Many people do not read their Bibles or take heed to what is written there if they do read it. They do this because they do not want to obey.
In their heart of hearts they know they will be responsible for what they have discovered, so they determine to remain ignorant. It is called willful ignorance.
There is a Biblical principle that is often spoken of in our laws. The saying goes like this, "Ignorance of the Law is no excuse."
When we don't know the answer we are responsible to ask God for it. If we do not ask God we will be responsible for not asking and not knowing.
When we drag our feet in obedience to Him, after He has revealed truth to us, then we are disobeying willfully.
James 4:17
"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Do Not Receive Him
Do we obey this?
2 John 10 & 11
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting."
"for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
2 John 10 & 11
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting."
"for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
Foolishness Is Not For The House Of God
As a former Catholic!
The Catholics are heavily dependent on their church traditions. They actually say in the documents that their traditions are as binding and powerful as the principles of Christ. They don't read the Bible as a whole, only portions, but speak continually about their man made rules. Mary is often on their lips, to do for them what should be attributed only to Christ.
Their worship days are called "holy days of OBLIGATION", this phrase tells us a lot. All the Catholics I knew were more concerned about ritual than God. The name of Christ never rolled off their tongues, but Mary came up regularly.
When worshiping God is an "obligation" then we can be sure there is a desire not to have to do it. Those who love Christ want to worship Him, we are driven by our total dedication to Him. He is our companion, our lover, our brother, One we love to be with and wait somewhat impatiently to be reunited with in eternity.
1 John 5:3-5
"3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
I know because I was once Catholic, when the Lord brought me out, I was hated by all those Catholics who knew I had left. They were angry whenever the Bible was mentioned and called me names like "Bible Thumper."
I was ridiculed, excluded from family and friends and gossiped about. Now try to tell me there is any Christlike love in the Catholic church!
Sadly, I am now experiencing similar things in the so called "evangelical" churches. They have left the Bible behind in favor of their traditions, although different from the Catholic church, they are nonetheless traditions.
Some of their traditions include "self esteem"teaching, the holidays that were never mandated by Christ and are heavily paganistic with Christ tacked on to make the people feel justified in them.
The Lord's supper is being neglected to a great extent in most evangelical churches today. It is a side note that comes up occasionally. The first century church observed the Lord's supper every time they met, no matter how often. Their focus was Christ and His work on behalf of mankind.
Much of what goes on in the Evangelical church, is "a form of religion" that denies the power of God and depends heavily on human ingenuity. The sermons have become joke fests focused on pleasing the people. The idea that if they make people happy then the people will like Christ. This is an abomination.
Christ was never concerned about "pleasing the people." He had one mission and that was to show people their sin and the solution to it, being His propitiation for it on our behalf.
If the Holy Spirit were in the modern church, we would see more weeping over sin and brokenness over the lost. What we see instead is foolish levity, silly joking and childish laughing.
What passes for "Christian" now, is an abomination to Christ. It is man made, superficial and socially and pleasure oriented. There is little love for the brethren, a trait that God says is evidence of our love for Him.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
There is more of the world in the church than there is holiness of the believer.
Luke 10:27
"27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
James 4:4
"4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
"31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Romans 12:1
"12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship."
May the modern church repent of it foolishness and begin to take seriously what Christ did and what we are, I am quite sure there would be little laughing in the church, but far more repenting and confession.
The Catholics are heavily dependent on their church traditions. They actually say in the documents that their traditions are as binding and powerful as the principles of Christ. They don't read the Bible as a whole, only portions, but speak continually about their man made rules. Mary is often on their lips, to do for them what should be attributed only to Christ.
Their worship days are called "holy days of OBLIGATION", this phrase tells us a lot. All the Catholics I knew were more concerned about ritual than God. The name of Christ never rolled off their tongues, but Mary came up regularly.
When worshiping God is an "obligation" then we can be sure there is a desire not to have to do it. Those who love Christ want to worship Him, we are driven by our total dedication to Him. He is our companion, our lover, our brother, One we love to be with and wait somewhat impatiently to be reunited with in eternity.
1 John 5:3-5
"3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
I know because I was once Catholic, when the Lord brought me out, I was hated by all those Catholics who knew I had left. They were angry whenever the Bible was mentioned and called me names like "Bible Thumper."
I was ridiculed, excluded from family and friends and gossiped about. Now try to tell me there is any Christlike love in the Catholic church!
Sadly, I am now experiencing similar things in the so called "evangelical" churches. They have left the Bible behind in favor of their traditions, although different from the Catholic church, they are nonetheless traditions.
Some of their traditions include "self esteem"teaching, the holidays that were never mandated by Christ and are heavily paganistic with Christ tacked on to make the people feel justified in them.
The Lord's supper is being neglected to a great extent in most evangelical churches today. It is a side note that comes up occasionally. The first century church observed the Lord's supper every time they met, no matter how often. Their focus was Christ and His work on behalf of mankind.
Much of what goes on in the Evangelical church, is "a form of religion" that denies the power of God and depends heavily on human ingenuity. The sermons have become joke fests focused on pleasing the people. The idea that if they make people happy then the people will like Christ. This is an abomination.
Christ was never concerned about "pleasing the people." He had one mission and that was to show people their sin and the solution to it, being His propitiation for it on our behalf.
If the Holy Spirit were in the modern church, we would see more weeping over sin and brokenness over the lost. What we see instead is foolish levity, silly joking and childish laughing.
What passes for "Christian" now, is an abomination to Christ. It is man made, superficial and socially and pleasure oriented. There is little love for the brethren, a trait that God says is evidence of our love for Him.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
There is more of the world in the church than there is holiness of the believer.
Luke 10:27
"27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
James 4:4
"4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
"31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Romans 12:1
"12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship."
May the modern church repent of it foolishness and begin to take seriously what Christ did and what we are, I am quite sure there would be little laughing in the church, but far more repenting and confession.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Beware of the Deceptions of the Catholic Church
Beware, there are people who are Catholic who are
infiltrating the Christian sites, they have learned "Christian lingo"
but are coming to destroy the faith of many.
These people argue in such vague terms that when they are
through you have no idea what they just said, except that, if you look closely
you will see the underpinnings of Catholicism in their speech.
When asked if they are Catholic they will avoid the question
unless pressed and then declare that they are born again. We know they are not
because they refuse to leave the Catholic church and they still practice all
the abominations there.
When a Catholic becomes born again, they can't tolerate the
evil in that organization, the Holy Spirit nags at them about everything evil
in it and they have to flee.
One clue is that they begin to deny the practices in the
church, in other words they lie to deceive. They claim they are not doing what
I know the church promotes, they just call it by a different name.
I know because I was a Catholic, and saw for myself the
abominations. One cannot become born again and stay in an organization that is
satanic. It would be no different from a Satanist, becoming born again and
remaining in the church
of Satan
Satan controls the Catholic church, there is every
wickedness possible there, much of it hidden, but we know it is there. The
accounts of the priests operating as pedophiles has been common and hidden by
those who were in authority. Their devotion to the protecting of their church
reputation took precedence over the welfare of children. This is nothing less
that evil.
Please pray for discernment when in communication with
others, ask pertinent questions and don't settle for vague answers. The devil
is lurking about attempting to blur the lines between evil and righteousness.
Those who lack discernment will be sucked into the deception
if they do not read the Word and ask the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:1
"4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone
out into the world."
Philippians 1:9-10
"9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still
more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may
[a]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless
[b]until the day of Christ;"
Hebrews 5:14
"14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of
practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
Hebrews 4:12
"12 For the word of God is living and active and
sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul
and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart."
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
"13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers,
disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan
disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if
his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end
will be according to their deeds."
Colossians 2:8
"8 See to it that no one takes you captive through
philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to
the elementary principles of the world, [a]rather than according to
Christ."
Relationships Can Be Difficult
When a relationship is one sided, the other person talks and talks and talks, excited about their own things, but acts completely disinterested when you speak, if you are even given a chance to, then that is a clue there is a narcissistic bent.
It is impossible to hold a conversation with these people. They care only about their own things continually. Everyone does it from time to time when we are distracted with life issues, but when it is a continual pattern, that is a clue that there is no relationship.
Sometimes we are to people what is called, "narcissistic supply." This means that our friend or friends, keep us around simply to have someone to talk at, rather than discuss with. We are needed to supply them with emotional support, even though they have no emotional support for anyone else.
The Narcissist is concerned only with their own things continually. They have no interest in what anyone else is doing or going through. They often will pretend concern so that those looking on will see them as good. Even when they show concern it is for the purpose of elevating self, there is no real concern, because when anything is needed, they are no where to be found.
Another element of narcissism is that of jealousy. When good things happen to their friends, the narcissist not only acts disinterested but even negates the accomplishments or delights of their friends, to keep themselves elevated.
God said in the last days there will be a proliferation of these attitudes. Even now it is difficult to find those who are genuinely interested in others. True believers have a deep interest in their brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
Narcissists see themselves as all important over everyone else. They love to be the center of attention always.
When a narcissist doesn't get their way or is not worshiped by someone, they use various methods to demean those who are their targets. Often they "pick on" those who will not be sucked into their narcissistic supply.
The attitudes of a narcissist are full of hate, despising anyone who will not elevate them. Jealousy is evident whenever someone else receives blessing, through compliments or accomplishments.
Narcissism is not just a self focus it is a hatred for everyone but themselves. Non-responsiveness to the needs of others is a form of hatred.
1 John 4:20
"20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
When someone does not see themselves as a member of the group, always single minded, then they have missed the calling of a believer to operate as a family, loving and helping one another.
The narcissist is resistant and hostile to correction. They become furious when told they are wrong or that they have committed sin.
James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
It takes humility to admit when we have failed and it takes humility to need the prayers of others to be delivered from sin. The narcissist will not admit they have sin, let alone tolerate a rebuke or admonition. Any suggestion that they are not perfect cause actions of revenge, no matter how subtle. Often these actions are too subtle for onlookers to see, but they are none the less effective and cruel.
Philippians 2:3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
James 4:6
"6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
Luke 14:11
"11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Proverbs 22:4
"4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life."
It is not possible to be born again and still live a lifestyle of narcissism continually. We all fall, we all have failings, but a lifestyle of narcissism is one that could never bow the knee to God in brokenness over their sin, because they think they have no sin, they have elevated themselves to the level of a god.
Psalm 51:17
"17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
A true narcissist cannot be reached by the hearing of the gospel, often they will hear the gospel in a way that elevates them. They must be given over to God, for Him to do His work on them. People cannot reach them.
One of the elements of Narcissism that I forgot to mention was the total lack of empathy on the part of the narcissist. They do not have the ability to feel sorry for anyone else. If something does not pertain to them, they have no feelings about it, even if it is a serious injury or grief over something legitimate.
Thankfully, I have heard of narcissists who have become born again, and it is through the power of God not human effort that these people can receive brokenness to come to Christ.
Everyone is a narcissist to some degree before the Lord gets hold of us. There are those who are so steeped in the narcissistic attitudes that it takes much hardship in life to reach them. Some will never give into the lessons God has for them, but God will reach those who do.
God has given us a clear picture of a narcissist, and has told us that in the last days we will see it rampant throughout our culture and the world.
Here is what He said;
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
I am noticing from this passage that God tells us to stay away from these people if it is possible. If it is not possible then we must stay in prayer that God help us to be what He wants us to be. The temptation to fight with these wicked people will be very strong, since they will continually bait us, hoping to engage us in an argument, usually over almost nothing.
Elevating self is first and foremost for these types, conversation with them is agonizing, if we are even allowed to speak.
God says we can let them go, He has called us to peace, when someone will not allow peace in a conversation then we must walk away and leave them to God.
May God show each of us what to do and be when faced with a narcissist and may He give us opportunity to walk away, believing that God can reach someone we cannot reach.
It is impossible to hold a conversation with these people. They care only about their own things continually. Everyone does it from time to time when we are distracted with life issues, but when it is a continual pattern, that is a clue that there is no relationship.
Sometimes we are to people what is called, "narcissistic supply." This means that our friend or friends, keep us around simply to have someone to talk at, rather than discuss with. We are needed to supply them with emotional support, even though they have no emotional support for anyone else.
The Narcissist is concerned only with their own things continually. They have no interest in what anyone else is doing or going through. They often will pretend concern so that those looking on will see them as good. Even when they show concern it is for the purpose of elevating self, there is no real concern, because when anything is needed, they are no where to be found.
Another element of narcissism is that of jealousy. When good things happen to their friends, the narcissist not only acts disinterested but even negates the accomplishments or delights of their friends, to keep themselves elevated.
God said in the last days there will be a proliferation of these attitudes. Even now it is difficult to find those who are genuinely interested in others. True believers have a deep interest in their brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
Narcissists see themselves as all important over everyone else. They love to be the center of attention always.
When a narcissist doesn't get their way or is not worshiped by someone, they use various methods to demean those who are their targets. Often they "pick on" those who will not be sucked into their narcissistic supply.
The attitudes of a narcissist are full of hate, despising anyone who will not elevate them. Jealousy is evident whenever someone else receives blessing, through compliments or accomplishments.
Narcissism is not just a self focus it is a hatred for everyone but themselves. Non-responsiveness to the needs of others is a form of hatred.
1 John 4:20
"20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."
When someone does not see themselves as a member of the group, always single minded, then they have missed the calling of a believer to operate as a family, loving and helping one another.
The narcissist is resistant and hostile to correction. They become furious when told they are wrong or that they have committed sin.
James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
It takes humility to admit when we have failed and it takes humility to need the prayers of others to be delivered from sin. The narcissist will not admit they have sin, let alone tolerate a rebuke or admonition. Any suggestion that they are not perfect cause actions of revenge, no matter how subtle. Often these actions are too subtle for onlookers to see, but they are none the less effective and cruel.
Philippians 2:3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
James 4:6
"6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
Luke 14:11
"11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Proverbs 22:4
"4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life."
It is not possible to be born again and still live a lifestyle of narcissism continually. We all fall, we all have failings, but a lifestyle of narcissism is one that could never bow the knee to God in brokenness over their sin, because they think they have no sin, they have elevated themselves to the level of a god.
Psalm 51:17
"17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
A true narcissist cannot be reached by the hearing of the gospel, often they will hear the gospel in a way that elevates them. They must be given over to God, for Him to do His work on them. People cannot reach them.
One of the elements of Narcissism that I forgot to mention was the total lack of empathy on the part of the narcissist. They do not have the ability to feel sorry for anyone else. If something does not pertain to them, they have no feelings about it, even if it is a serious injury or grief over something legitimate.
Thankfully, I have heard of narcissists who have become born again, and it is through the power of God not human effort that these people can receive brokenness to come to Christ.
Everyone is a narcissist to some degree before the Lord gets hold of us. There are those who are so steeped in the narcissistic attitudes that it takes much hardship in life to reach them. Some will never give into the lessons God has for them, but God will reach those who do.
God has given us a clear picture of a narcissist, and has told us that in the last days we will see it rampant throughout our culture and the world.
Here is what He said;
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
I am noticing from this passage that God tells us to stay away from these people if it is possible. If it is not possible then we must stay in prayer that God help us to be what He wants us to be. The temptation to fight with these wicked people will be very strong, since they will continually bait us, hoping to engage us in an argument, usually over almost nothing.
Elevating self is first and foremost for these types, conversation with them is agonizing, if we are even allowed to speak.
God says we can let them go, He has called us to peace, when someone will not allow peace in a conversation then we must walk away and leave them to God.
May God show each of us what to do and be when faced with a narcissist and may He give us opportunity to walk away, believing that God can reach someone we cannot reach.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Abraham Lincoln Got It Right!
The poster is true! There are far too many people in our culture who feel entitled to the things of others, when they did not earn it.
I run into it all the time. Often, those who are lazy want to have all the stuff that the hard worker spent years earning, only they want it given to them without cost.
Providing help for those in NEED, is far different from providing help for those who create their own need by being lazy. Helping those in need does not mean giving a poor person what they want.
God only promised us food and clothing, everything else is a blessing. We are not mandated in scripture to give more than needs to those who are poor. We can if we like, but there should no guilt when we provide only needs and not wants.
God tells us not to give to lazy people, they will only waste His resources on their pleasure, neglecting the things that should be paid.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Computers are not needs, Cable tv is not a need. If someone cannot pay their electric bill or rent, but still have these things and cell phones, cigarettes, lottery tickets and many other unnecessary things, then they should not be given money for their rent or bills.
Many of us had to do without pleasures or desires to be sure our rent and heating bills were paid first. If there was no left over money there were still no toys or pleasures. Anything extra that came in was saved for paying bills later.
Unwise people spend on what they want, let the bills go unpaid and whine to other they don't have enough money for the bills. I have seen this more times than I can count. When "poor" people have all the frills of a solvent person who earned what they have, there is something wrong.
God blesses those who obey His principles of hard work, we may not be wealthy, but all our bills will be paid and on time.
When there is a pattern of neglecting the principles of God to live like the rich while living off of the rich, then we know there is deceit and ungodliness in the lives of those who would live like this. Pretending to need a want, is lying. Pretending that one has no money to pay bills when all they did was waste the money for bills on frills, then there is lying.
Expecting others to foot the bill for our lives so that we can live without working is sin.
Those who have little money must learn to manage every dime wisely, to have enough. Those who have little, expecting others to take care of them, will always have nothing, they like it like that, it makes people feel sorry for them, they can continue to find more people who will give into guilt through manipulation.
Avoid these people, we must let the Holy Spirit tell us when to give and when not to give. There are many scammers in the world today who want a free ride. God will tell you when to give and when He does not tell you to do so, you can say, guilt free, "God did not tell me to do that." It ends all discussion, manipulation and guilt pandering.
Let the Holy Spirit tell you what to do and do not question His answer.
By the way, His principles are clearly laid out in Scripture, the more we read and seek the Holy Spirit the more we will understand all specific situations.
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID THIS:
“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
I run into it all the time. Often, those who are lazy want to have all the stuff that the hard worker spent years earning, only they want it given to them without cost.
Providing help for those in NEED, is far different from providing help for those who create their own need by being lazy. Helping those in need does not mean giving a poor person what they want.
God only promised us food and clothing, everything else is a blessing. We are not mandated in scripture to give more than needs to those who are poor. We can if we like, but there should no guilt when we provide only needs and not wants.
God tells us not to give to lazy people, they will only waste His resources on their pleasure, neglecting the things that should be paid.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Computers are not needs, Cable tv is not a need. If someone cannot pay their electric bill or rent, but still have these things and cell phones, cigarettes, lottery tickets and many other unnecessary things, then they should not be given money for their rent or bills.
Many of us had to do without pleasures or desires to be sure our rent and heating bills were paid first. If there was no left over money there were still no toys or pleasures. Anything extra that came in was saved for paying bills later.
Unwise people spend on what they want, let the bills go unpaid and whine to other they don't have enough money for the bills. I have seen this more times than I can count. When "poor" people have all the frills of a solvent person who earned what they have, there is something wrong.
God blesses those who obey His principles of hard work, we may not be wealthy, but all our bills will be paid and on time.
When there is a pattern of neglecting the principles of God to live like the rich while living off of the rich, then we know there is deceit and ungodliness in the lives of those who would live like this. Pretending to need a want, is lying. Pretending that one has no money to pay bills when all they did was waste the money for bills on frills, then there is lying.
Expecting others to foot the bill for our lives so that we can live without working is sin.
Those who have little money must learn to manage every dime wisely, to have enough. Those who have little, expecting others to take care of them, will always have nothing, they like it like that, it makes people feel sorry for them, they can continue to find more people who will give into guilt through manipulation.
Avoid these people, we must let the Holy Spirit tell us when to give and when not to give. There are many scammers in the world today who want a free ride. God will tell you when to give and when He does not tell you to do so, you can say, guilt free, "God did not tell me to do that." It ends all discussion, manipulation and guilt pandering.
Let the Holy Spirit tell you what to do and do not question His answer.
By the way, His principles are clearly laid out in Scripture, the more we read and seek the Holy Spirit the more we will understand all specific situations.
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID THIS:
“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help man permanently by doing for them what they could and should be doing for themselves.”
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