.
.....your crap and give it to the poor. That's what Jesus said. Not in those exact words, but in that context.
To understand the context of His statement, one must consider the time, place, and atmosphere in which it was made. You see, Jesus was poor, and emerged to be the Leader of the poor. Not just the regular poor that comes to mind today, but the Jews that were in slaved by the powerful kings of the day. For hundreds of years, they were kept poor, and forced to work, or put to death. Those were the poor that Jesus was talking about.
The poor people of today in America are different. This country has never been ruled by the greedy kings of Jesus' time, but founded upon and with Christian fundamentals in mind. We no longer have slavery, and people have the opportunity for education, and employment, and the freedom to pursue their dreams. And many of the most prominent and famous Americans came from the ranks of the poor. I don't think Jesus was talking about these people, because they didn't exist in His world.
Now, we do have poor people in America today Jesus was talking about. He was talking about poor people, through no fault of their own, who remain or become poor. The elderly, the very young, the disabled, the ignorant, the ill, the handicapped, and some that have suffered great misfortunes. These people are much like the poor of Jesus' day. And these people have my sympathy and prayer. And I help these people whenever I can, much more than that some of you realize. But, I'm not beating my chest, rather I do it in a more humble way, and without an expectation in return. Many times I identify these people my self and give assistance directly to them, while at other times, I give to organizations that I trust and support my views.
But there is another type of poor in America. These are the ones that refuse to work, the ones that refuse to contribute to society, and the ones that expect society to support them without giving anything in return. Now, I'm not yet one that is able to quote scripture from the top of my head, but I do know there are references in the Bible about people like these. And, I don't believe that these are the people that God expects us to help. And I won't give my crap to these poor people.
So, in short, that beggar guy that is disguised as a poor fisherman that I've mentioned in past posts will not get help from me. And there are others, similar to him, that I won't support either, unless the government uses taxes that I pay for him. But that is beyond my control. Now, you might seem to think I'm a little judgemental with that, but that is what I believe my direction is.
OK, so beat me up now if you so choose. Present you case. Quote your scripture or give your rationale to support your views. And then we'll move on for more at another time from the Thought Dock
.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
OK, I'll bite.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll leave my thoughts on the bulk of your post alone. Let's talk about that poor fisherman.
Have you had a conversation with him?
Do you know why he does what he does?
Do you know for certain he is able to work?
Maybe he's physically unable.
Maybe he's mentally unable.
Maybe he served his country and came back from a war to a country that spat upon him, when he needs its help.
Maybe he was in a car accident that took his family and he is screwed up.
Maybe he is lost.
Maybe he's a former cop who saw traumatic things and needs help.
Maybe he has schizophrenia or epilepsy or autism or a myriad of other conditions that make it hard to hold a job.
Maybe he grew up in foster care and has learned a darker path.
Maybe he doesn't know a better way.
Maybe he is out of options.
Maybe he needs to know Christ and no one will give him the time of day.
Maybe his story is bigger than you know.
Or maybe he's a POS scumbag who begs for a living and who doesn't deserve a nickel from the hard-working bunch of the rest of us.
My point is - how do you *honestly* know?
Geez, lots of maybes there. Maybes to you. I have talked with him,studied him over the course of several months, and I know enough about him to determine that he is a bum. So I won't sell my crap and give it to him! lol
ReplyDelete2 Thessalonians 3:10 (The Message)
ReplyDelete10-13 Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? If you don't work, you don't eat. And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get work immediatley -- no excuses, no arguements -- and earn there own keep. Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.
We all have a story to tell in the end. I really don't worry about my judgement for the things I did and knew about so much, but the things I knew about more so and did nothing.
ReplyDeleteIf the Holy Spirit is prompting you to help that poor fisherman, swindler, bum, beggar out with words of kindness or money or whatever. We need to be in tune to listening to Gods will.
Might as well include the full context: 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
ReplyDelete14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111091624&ps=cprs
ReplyDeleteInteresting story Beth. You're getting closer to becomming in tuned to the Thought Dock. lol. Unlike the bum disguised as a fisherman, there was nothing in that article to indicate that Walters was a beggar. He earned his wealth, then elected to live out his life alone and without a home..
ReplyDelete