Subject: Sell what you have-give alms |
Bible Note: Flyman- I’m beginning to believe that part of your problem is that you’re argumentative which may lead to being unteachable. You asked for the meaning of a single verse and then reply immediately with a rebuttal when the meaning is given. Hardly a good way to get started and certainly a poor approach to learning. Your “impression” about what charitable giving is, is just that… you impression. Unfortunately, many share your impression. A couple of dollars in the donation bucket and I’m done. I’m sure that nothing in my post gave you that impression or was even suggestive of such; again, the impression is your own. You are not seeing the verse and the meaning for what it is because you already have your mind made up about it (which is why I am confused that you asked the question in the first place). You’re failing to apply logic and rational thinking to the verse. Logic and rational can only be applied if you know and understand the precepts taught in Scripture that speak to the issue. So I suggested you do some word studies including that of “steward”. I see that you have not yet. Furthermore, you are even missing the context of individual sentences. You have to pay better attention if you truly want to understand what is being said. I’ll say it again. We are not told anywhere in Scripture to give away the very means of survival that we have been blessed with. The whole point is missed if that is the conclusion you draw. Christ is talking, once again I write, about the spiritual condition of the person. Again, drawing your attention to the context, in verse 13 we have a person wanting something he has not earned and has no legal right to and yet he’s wanting his own brother to be forced into giving it to him. Sound familiar? Do the birds that are so well looked after not search for and gather food? Of course they do, and many creatures store up as well. The rich man was not lacking with God because he was rich or even because he stored up. His error was in his spiritual condition and his self-centeredness. He stored up his blessing without blessing others. He depended on his own effort without trusting God (or recognizing his stores were from God in the first place) he reasoned “to himself” and not with God. Did Jesus and His disciples give every dime they had to the poor or did they keep a money bag of their own to provide for their needs (hint, they kept a money bag). If you want to “follow my Lord the correct way” my friend, you must first discern what that way is. I’ll point you again and see if this helps. Read 2 Corinthians chapter 8. then read it again slowly and consider what is being taught. This is a good place to start in your study of stewardship. God bless, Jeff |