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NASB | 1 Timothy 6:17 ¶ Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 6:17 ¶ As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. |
Subject: Who is qualified? |
Bible Note: I understand what you are saying. But if we were to stop doing everything that might cause an offense, we would be left with nothing. I.e. In India, they consider playing cards a sin. The pentecostals believe that if a woman cuts her hair it's a sin or wears pants. Paul said that weak Christians eat only vegetables. Here in Chile, it's NOT a sin to drink wine, but it is in the states. The list is endless. Paul told us to have faith before God. If I'm around a weak christian I should be aware of his conscience. But I'm not going to buy 2 sets of clothes. Have 2 different cars, and live in 2 different houses to please everybody. Personally, As a missionary. I'm offended (if you will allow me to use that word loosely, as I endeavor to live an unoffended life) by MUCHINARIES. Those missionaries that go to the states wearing old ratty clothes, begging for money, and showing slides of starving babies to get offerings. Or better yet, by christians who think missionaries ought to be poor, because they are stingy and pass it off as "the Lord's will". I've got to be careful not to pass judgement upon them because they just don't know any better. When I first moved here, my wife and I lived without furniture for 7 months. (We did have a bed) But nothing else. We eventually bought a plastic table and 2 chairs. We were content (not dependent upon, grateful, and self sufficient) with what we had. But we recongnized this was not God's will for us. After 7 months of rejoicing in God's provision someone sent us an offering to fill our house. Eventually we gave away our living room suit to a Chileno. 5 months later, God gave us a leather couch. It's a blessing from God, why should I give away what God Himself gave me (I didn't spend 1 centavo (cent) of my own money on it) because some christians are "offended" that it was expensive. "You should sell that couch and use the money to feed the poor" blah blah blah, You sell something that you own. That's what I'm talking about. Who has the right to judge how I live before God? God has been good to us. We are very careful not to bring a reproach upon the Gospel. We take nothing from the Gentiles. 3 John. Our standard of living is comparable to what we left in the states. Mark 10:29-30 The quality of things is a bit different. But that's just because I live in another nation. What bothers me most is the fact that many of God's servants (specifically missionaries) are living substandard lives simply for lack of knowledge. Yes, there are some nations where missionaries go that are backwoods kind of places. Why should they have to come home and beg also. We should take care of God's laborers. My wife and I financially support several missionaries. That's why we didn't have money to buy furniture. We prefer to give into the Kingdom of God and let HIM BLESS US. The truly amazing thing is, because of our obedience, He's given us everything we've asked for. God is Good. And the church argues whether or not it's God's will to bless His children. Where I grew up, when a man didn't take care of his children, we called it child abuse. |