Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Avoiding paritality in soul care | James 2:1 | Mommapbs | 53190 | ||
In James 2 we are admonished not to show partiality in our treatment of others. When we consider "soul care," I'm wondering, do we show partiality when we offer more care and concern for the downtodden as opposed to those who "seem" to have it made? Since when does worldly wealth equal spiritual health? When we look at others of "means," do we see the dollar sign or the soul behind those bars? Comments? |
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2 | Avoiding paritality in soul care | James 2:1 | Hank | 53204 | ||
Mommapbs, yours is a thought provoking question; at least it provoked mine! In the United States there is no official caste system, yet each of us lives within a certain socio-economic biome as it were. That's our comfort zone. To move from one's own stratum, upward or downward, to another stratum is difficult for many people. Difficult, but not a valid reason or a legitimate excuse for failure to reach out with the message of the Gospel and the compassionate Christ-like love and caring for people in all walks of life. Jesus was able to minister with consummate skill to prince and pauper alike. Paul was effective in his ministry to the Athenian philosophers and to the Philippian jailer. I believe that when Christians truly are zealous about their faith, the Spirit will empower them and enable them to cross all societal boundaries and minister effectively to everyone with whom they come in contact. If every Christian alive today had half the zeal and dedication that Paul had, it would be impossible to calculate what an enormous impact it would have on our world! For far too many of us, living the Christian life means attending a church service on Sunday morning, making some effort to stay awake during the pastor's sermon, putting a few bucks in the collection plate at the close of the service, and dashing out to our cars as soon as the final "Amen" is sounded so that we can beat the Methodists and Presbyterians in the line at the cafeteria. --Hank | ||||||
3 | Avoiding paritality in soul care | James 2:1 | Mommapbs | 53219 | ||
Greetings Hank! In a recent experience with the church, the call was placed, pleasantries were exchanged and the pitch for funding a project was thrown without raising any concern or interest in my husband's spiritual walk. I suspect most of us portray an "appearance" of strength as we are naturally resistent to reveal our weaknesses to others. And my husband, like so many, seems to have it all together. But underneath it all, he freely admits that he has issues that need addresssing. He needs someone to tend to his soul too. (I guess that would be me now wouldn't it?) However, the minister,by showing no regard for the state of my husband's soul, focused on his own agenda, and his own "needs." Perhaps the "appearance" of wealth that my husband represented caused the minister to believe that this was "God's means" to fulfill "God's will."(?) This was disappointing and hurtful. Yet God allowed this to happen for His purpose . . . I guess when we place expectations upon others we set ourselves up for this. But is it wrong to expect our pastor to be the overseer of our soul? Blessings, Mommapbs |
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4 | Avoiding paritality in soul care | James 2:1 | 2ndSamuel22 | 53238 | ||
Dear mommapbs, At the risk of sounding flip, it appears your minister is more concerned with the 'edifice' of the church, than the 'edification'. I would have to refer your pastor to the Gospel According to John, chapter 3. Nicodemus was a wealthy Pharisee, yet his soul needed tending to(although he did not know it at the time). In fact, he was one of the first people Jesus ministered to, since Nicodemus was not poor in material things, but poor in spirit. That's how I see it, anyway. Do not despair. Take your problem to him directly. And even if he does not minister to your needs, we have a High Priest who has already walked out your solution. God bless!! He is exalted, the King is exalted on High!! 2nd Samuel 22 |
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5 | Avoiding paritality in soul care | James 2:1 | Mommapbs | 53240 | ||
Thank you for your encouragement 2nd Samuel 22. Ministers who seek to build up the Kingdom must be concerned with proper stewardship of the Saints - their gifts (both spiritual and physical). Sadly, too many of the Beloved fall through the cracks in the church because their gifts are not esteemed. Here is but another example of showing "partiality!" Paul admonishes us to value all parts of the body, for each one is necessary! (1 Cor 12) Blessings, Mommapbs |
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