The entire chapter is about us, about the believers in Jesus Christ. When the Lord says to keep on asking, to keep on searching, to keep on knocking, it occurred to me that we - contemporary North American Christians, are inundated with Christian stuff. We have Christian tapes and cd’s, we listen to Christian music on Christian radio stations, we can watch Christian television programs, buy Christian books at Christian bookstores, wear Christian jewellery. We can go to Christian conferences, listen to Christian podcasts, subscribe to Christian magazines, read Christian blogs and, yes, write Christian blogs as well. We have so much Christian stuff that we’ve forgotten what it’s like to be hungry for Jesus. We’ve forgotten what it means to search, we’ve lost the need to ‘knock’ - and knock, and knock and knock - at the gates of heaven because we’re shut out in the dark of night, in the cold and the rain, while wolves prowl in the tree-line. I’ve been working and writing about Christianity and faith and poverty here at the Mission for the last three years and finally understand that the problem the church faces today is not that we don’t know how to respond to the poverty of others, it’s that we don’t know how to respond to our own affluence.
We’d rather have a Christian lifestyle than to have Christ.
Blessed are the hungry.
Published 2 years, 4 months ago
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Sir,
Poverty has got nothing to do with it, for The Lord said “the poor will always be with you.” Furthermore, nowhere in Scripture are we commanded to change or improve this world, for when He returns he is going to bring this world (age) to an end. All its heirarchies, systems, religions - including what most people think is Christianity.
As for Christian ’stuff’ well that’s just religion and its meaningless trinkets. All stuff and nonsense.
y2t
I guess you’d have to ask people that work with the poor what poverty has to do with ‘it’.:^)
Jesus did say the poor will always be with you, my question is - what else did he say about poverty and how would any of that relates to you?
And yeah, a lot of Christian stuff is just religion and meaningless trinkets, and a lot is nonsense. I don’t think most people would give you an argument on that either.
OK, so if the poor are going to be with us always why do ‘Christians’ along with assorted corrupt, vile and treacherous liberal politicians continue to bang on about bringing it to an end?
Matthew 5
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Spiritual poverty is what concerns the Lord, not physical poverty.
Liberal do-gooding is not Christianity.
y2t
I don’t know how God will judge liberals/coversatives, and yes spiritual poverty does concern God.
Seems to me we can be wealthy in knowledge and poor in spirit. Let me ask you this - what are the ways we know other believers?
Are you angry at poverty or poor people? Are you angry at Christians? Has something happened to you that is really hurtful in this area of your life? Have you had an opportuntity to meet believers who don’t share your physical comforte level?
We do know what God thinks about liberals, especially those in the Church. They are a load of spew in God’s mouth - Laodicea [Revelation 3] and when they (the spew) hit the deck - which they will, they will hopefully awake from their religious slumber and get with it.
Hmm. wealthy in what knowledge? Most of Christianity is ‘wealthy’ in knowledge but unfortunately the wrong knowledge and that’s what makes them poor in Spirit. If we are truly Born Again we can only be one thing - rich in Spirit for the Holy Spirit resides in us.
We know other believers by the fruits of the Spirit, but all I see around me is the ‘fruits’ of religion. These ‘fruits’ are like the figs that weren’t there when The Lord looked for them. That tree looked fine (outward show - modern Pharisees) full of foliage but on closer inspection there was no fruit and we know what He did to that tree don’t we!?
Poverty does not anger me, why should it? It saddens me, as it did The Lord and that is why I pray for His return, so that it is ended. The best thing any of us can do for the poor is not join them!!
I am certainly not angry at Christians, but I am angry at people posing as Christians, especially the ravening wolf variety that stand in pulpits and deceive God’s elect with their non-gospel or better, their bad news of salvation by works. This is a stronghold that must be attacked at every opportunity.
I have not been hurt in the past, nearly Spiritually and physically destroyed yes, but not hurt. I used to use similar understatement like that myself until I got real to what the Devil had tried to do to me through his servants. I now thank The Lord for what happened because it has strengthened me for His purpose.
You must learn that do-gooding and being ‘nice’ is not Christianity. The Lord got angry - period and on more than one occaision, especially with men of religion. He frequently said things that offended certain people, which means He said things they didn’t want to hear. I do the same and suffer no discomfort at all as it is The Lord’s will.
y2t