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Acts 4: 32–35

kenny olavkenny olav Posts: 3,319
edited December 2012 in A Moving Train
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.


I'm just curious... how many Christians on this board live by the example put forth by these words?

If not, why not?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • fuckfuck Posts: 4,069
    I can't attest to Christianity, but I myself have been utterly confused by these so-called 'Islamist capitalists' that emerged over the past couple of decades or so. I've only ever seen social justice at the heart of Islam, and am shocked by all these "you're in it for yourself" folks. I still have a lot of research to do regarding this, but it's definitely an interesting topic, and I'd be interested to see what people have to say about Christianity as well.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    I feel like my church lives out that example in spirit. Everyone gives an extra amount over their regular offering every week and the church gives that money - $10,000 - to someone in need every week. We certainly don't pool all our money, though. Our government probably wouldn't let us.

    I'm curious as to why you cherry picked one item out of the bible to ask this question.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    kenny olav wrote:
    32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.


    I'm just curious... how many Christians on this board live by the example put forth by these words?

    If not, why not?

    the practice of the church here was not binding They were not required to sell their property or to give any particular portion of it. This was a matter of personal freedom and guidance. So in principle, we have the same obligations and opportunities. And when we have a brother or sister in need, and we have the resources to meet that need, we should do so.

    There is a great deal of discussion (and debate) concerning the practice of the church in giving its possessions to help the poor. Frankly, much of the discussion is an effort to avoid any need for us to follow the example of this church in this matter. It would seem to me that we should strive to retain the simplest, most literal, straightforward interpretation of the text of Scripture as possible, here, and elsewhere. On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the practice of the early church here was not a uniform practice of the church so far as the New Testament accounts are concerned. There was to some degree a unique situation here, with the destruction of Jerusalem at hand, in the lifetime of these saints. And it should be pointed out that in the providence of God, letting go of their possessions was a source of great blessing to the saints in Jerusalem. Not only did it free them of the material “pull” of their possessions, which would have hindered them from leaving the city (cf. Acts 8:1ff.), but it saved them from the torture of the Romans, who quickly recognized the affluent when they sacked the city and who tortured them until they told where their possessions were hidden

    So this teaches that if you follow Gods word, good will come of it. Christians try (not all of them) but are human and do sin. Did you know there are people out there that go into the ministries for all the wrong reasons such as the money they can make. Just like all other scam artist we have them in the Christian Ministries.
    I myself do not care for the mega churches....I feel they could help others with the money they spend on lavish buildings.
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    aerial wrote:
    I myself do not care for the mega churches....I feel they could help others with the money they spend on lavish buildings.

    I don't care for lavish buildings either, but I actually think one large, nice building is likely cheaper than a bunch of small nice buildings.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    aerial wrote:
    the practice of the church here was not binding They were not required to sell their property or to give any particular portion of it. This was a matter of personal freedom and guidance. So in principle, we have the same obligations and opportunities. And when we have a brother or sister in need, and we have the resources to meet that need, we should do so.

    There is a great deal of discussion (and debate) concerning the practice of the church in giving its possessions to help the poor. Frankly, much of the discussion is an effort to avoid any need for us to follow the example of this church in this matter. It would seem to me that we should strive to retain the simplest, most literal, straightforward interpretation of the text of Scripture as possible, here, and elsewhere. On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the practice of the early church here was not a uniform practice of the church so far as the New Testament accounts are concerned. There was to some degree a unique situation here, with the destruction of Jerusalem at hand, in the lifetime of these saints. And it should be pointed out that in the providence of God, letting go of their possessions was a source of great blessing to the saints in Jerusalem. Not only did it free them of the material “pull” of their possessions, which would have hindered them from leaving the city (cf. Acts 8:1ff.), but it saved them from the torture of the Romans, who quickly recognized the affluent when they sacked the city and who tortured them until they told where their possessions were hidden

    So this teaches that if you follow Gods word, good will come of it. Christians try (not all of them) but are human and do sin. Did you know there are people out there that go into the ministries for all the wrong reasons such as the money they can make. Just like all other scam artist we have them in the Christian Ministries.
    I myself do not care for the mega churches....I feel they could help others with the money they spend on lavish buildings.

    Link please.
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    Byrnzie wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    the practice of the church here was not binding They were not required to sell their property or to give any particular portion of it. This was a matter of personal freedom and guidance. So in principle, we have the same obligations and opportunities. And when we have a brother or sister in need, and we have the resources to meet that need, we should do so.

    There is a great deal of discussion (and debate) concerning the practice of the church in giving its possessions to help the poor. Frankly, much of the discussion is an effort to avoid any need for us to follow the example of this church in this matter. It would seem to me that we should strive to retain the simplest, most literal, straightforward interpretation of the text of Scripture as possible, here, and elsewhere. On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the practice of the early church here was not a uniform practice of the church so far as the New Testament accounts are concerned. There was to some degree a unique situation here, with the destruction of Jerusalem at hand, in the lifetime of these saints. And it should be pointed out that in the providence of God, letting go of their possessions was a source of great blessing to the saints in Jerusalem. Not only did it free them of the material “pull” of their possessions, which would have hindered them from leaving the city (cf. Acts 8:1ff.), but it saved them from the torture of the Romans, who quickly recognized the affluent when they sacked the city and who tortured them until they told where their possessions were hidden

    So this teaches that if you follow Gods word, good will come of it. Christians try (not all of them) but are human and do sin. Did you know there are people out there that go into the ministries for all the wrong reasons such as the money they can make. Just like all other scam artist we have them in the Christian Ministries.
    I myself do not care for the mega churches....I feel they could help others with the money they spend on lavish buildings.

    Link please.

    The Bible
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,950
    aerial wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    the practice of the church here was not binding They were not required to sell their property or to give any particular portion of it. This was a matter of personal freedom and guidance. So in principle, we have the same obligations and opportunities. And when we have a brother or sister in need, and we have the resources to meet that need, we should do so.

    There is a great deal of discussion (and debate) concerning the practice of the church in giving its possessions to help the poor. Frankly, much of the discussion is an effort to avoid any need for us to follow the example of this church in this matter. It would seem to me that we should strive to retain the simplest, most literal, straightforward interpretation of the text of Scripture as possible, here, and elsewhere. On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the practice of the early church here was not a uniform practice of the church so far as the New Testament accounts are concerned. There was to some degree a unique situation here, with the destruction of Jerusalem at hand, in the lifetime of these saints. And it should be pointed out that in the providence of God, letting go of their possessions was a source of great blessing to the saints in Jerusalem. Not only did it free them of the material “pull” of their possessions, which would have hindered them from leaving the city (cf. Acts 8:1ff.), but it saved them from the torture of the Romans, who quickly recognized the affluent when they sacked the city and who tortured them until they told where their possessions were hidden

    So this teaches that if you follow Gods word, good will come of it. Christians try (not all of them) but are human and do sin. Did you know there are people out there that go into the ministries for all the wrong reasons such as the money they can make. Just like all other scam artist we have them in the Christian Ministries.
    I myself do not care for the mega churches....I feel they could help others with the money they spend on lavish buildings.

    Link please.

    The Bible

    Unfotunately you'll have better luck getting a link to foxnews.com respected on this website than the Bible.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,088
    The early Christian Church was basically a socialist (in some ways, a communist) movement. It doesn't work that way anymore although. In the mid 1970 I attended evening services several times at a church that took time out during the service where we were encouraged to greet each other and ask those around us if anyone was in need and encouraged to give help. We were also told that if anyone was in need to feel free to take money from the offering plate as it was passed around. By the late 70's, that church began to adopt a much more dogmatic fundamentalist viewpoint and a lesser emphasis was based on helping and sharing and it was adios for me.

    My church is now the woods or the ocean or a field. As Paul Westerberg said:

    Comic books, the Bible, road maps, pornography
    Anything you wanna read
    Go out and sit in a field sometime

    That sounds more like church to my way of thinking.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
    Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington Post













  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    aerial wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    aerial wrote:
    the practice of the church here was not binding They were not required to sell their property or to give any particular portion of it. This was a matter of personal freedom and guidance. So in principle, we have the same obligations and opportunities. And when we have a brother or sister in need, and we have the resources to meet that need, we should do so.

    There is a great deal of discussion (and debate) concerning the practice of the church in giving its possessions to help the poor. Frankly, much of the discussion is an effort to avoid any need for us to follow the example of this church in this matter. It would seem to me that we should strive to retain the simplest, most literal, straightforward interpretation of the text of Scripture as possible, here, and elsewhere. On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the practice of the early church here was not a uniform practice of the church so far as the New Testament accounts are concerned. There was to some degree a unique situation here, with the destruction of Jerusalem at hand, in the lifetime of these saints. And it should be pointed out that in the providence of God, letting go of their possessions was a source of great blessing to the saints in Jerusalem. Not only did it free them of the material “pull” of their possessions, which would have hindered them from leaving the city (cf. Acts 8:1ff.), but it saved them from the torture of the Romans, who quickly recognized the affluent when they sacked the city and who tortured them until they told where their possessions were hidden

    So this teaches that if you follow Gods word, good will come of it. Christians try (not all of them) but are human and do sin. Did you know there are people out there that go into the ministries for all the wrong reasons such as the money they can make. Just like all other scam artist we have them in the Christian Ministries.
    I myself do not care for the mega churches....I feel they could help others with the money they spend on lavish buildings.

    Link please.

    The Bible

    That's not the Bible.
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    kenny olav wrote:
    32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.


    I'm just curious... how many Christians on this board live by the example put forth by these words?

    If not, why not?


    You cannot pick a few verses and understand the meaning. I read a few chapters before and after....my post is an explanation in context to your post.
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,088
    If you look for it, there are plenty of sources that tell how the early church was basically socialistic. Christians just don't want to talk about that today.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
    Democracy Dies in Darkness- Washington Post













  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,625
    kenny olav wrote:
    32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.


    I'm just curious... how many Christians on this board live by the example put forth by these words?

    If not, why not?
    Nobody here does.
    Nobody.
    Including yourself.
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,950
    brianlux wrote:
    If you look for it, there are plenty of sources that tell how the early church was basically socialistic. Christians just don't want to talk about that today.

    We are all hypocrites.

    But...The vast majority of churches in America are quite charitable. They are deeply involved in having programs to teach the kids. Are we too materialistic? Yes. Are we too lazy do to the comfort and relative safety of America? Yes. It is difficult to live up to the standards of the Bible, hence we all are sinners. We should try more. At some point we don't need 4 TV's in a house. We don't need $45,000 SUVs to haul 5 bags of groceries around. We don't need closets that are bigger than my entire apartment.

    It was a different time in the first centuries after Christ, but I agree as a whole Christians and all Americans could be more charitable. Although America is by far the leader in supporting other nations, and this country was founded by Christians.
  • fear4freedomfear4freedom Posts: 920
    I LIVE IT! I work hard doing contruction and I earn every penny with blood, sweat and tears. My back tells me that its time to earn a different way. I actually work for my money first, pay all bills, buy all needed things, then whatever is left, I usually give it away. I dont have credit cards or any debts! I dont have a house, I dont have a big tv, I dont have a nice car or WANT expensive things. I dont have a dream of owning any of it either.

    Have you ever felt that special feeling of giving something to someone in dire need of it? That feeling is the best feeling in the world. That feeling is better than any high or drug I have ever felt. I used to give as much money as I could to a very poor family in the Philippines. I actually borrowed money a few times to send them money so they could get what they needed. I always told them to split it into 3 parts, one part medicine and hygien, one part food, one part clothing. I did that for them for about a year. To this day they will never forget what I did for them. But its not about counting or keeping track. You are supposed to give with joy, even when it hurts your own good. Never let the left hand see what the right hand is giving. Never keep track and count. Just give it with all joy and love. I share good Christiain music with people from all over the world. I have a music ministry and share Christian music to people from Africa, Indonesia to the Phillippines. This past Christmas I sent cd's to people in 17 countries and about 15 states. Just the whole experience of them recieving a gift in the mail is amazing for them. They love to know that an American on the other side of the world is thinking about them. Just think.....an American, whom they never met personally, actually thought of them, went to the post office and paid for postage to send a package. They love it. They will always remember that and they respond to me in ways I cannot describe sometimes. I shed a tear and have feelings for all these people. Its been an amazing experience.

    I give all the glory and praise to the Lord and He has blessed me along the way. I recognize that He was with me through all my trials and near death experiences. I now understand why I was wasting so much of my time before and now I am trying to catch up!

    As far as socialism and the bible, sure there are parts you can equate together to send a message of equality on every level. The most important result for God in this world for his people is Individual Liberty and Freedom for all mankind to seek their individual salvation. Nothing else matters, so your current day definition of socialism is thwarted and perverted by God's true intentions for us to live by!

    I LIVE IT! I LOVE IT! I CHERISH IT! I AM BLESSED!
    Theres no time like the present

    A man that stands for nothing....will fall for anything!

    All people need to do more on every level!
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    fear4freedom wrote:
    I LIVE IT! I work hard doing contruction and I earn every penny with blood, sweat and tears. My back tells me that its time to earn a different way. I actually work for my money first, pay all bills, buy all needed things, then whatever is left, I usually give it away. I dont have credit cards or any debts! I dont have a house, I dont have a big tv, I dont have a nice car or WANT expensive things. I dont have a dream of owning any of it either.

    Have you ever felt that special feeling of giving something to someone in dire need of it? That feeling is the best feeling in the world. That feeling is better than any high or drug I have ever felt. I used to give as much money as I could to a very poor family in the Philippines. I actually borrowed money a few times to send them money so they could get what they needed. I always told them to split it into 3 parts, one part medicine and hygien, one part food, one part clothing. I did that for them for about a year. To this day they will never forget what I did for them. But its not about counting or keeping track. You are supposed to give with joy, even when it hurts your own good. Never let the left hand see what the right hand is giving. Never keep track and count. Just give it with all joy and love. I share good Christiain music with people from all over the world. I have a music ministry and share Christian music to people from Africa, Indonesia to the Phillippines. This past Christmas I sent cd's to people in 17 countries and about 15 states. Just the whole experience of them recieving a gift in the mail is amazing for them. They love to know that an American on the other side of the world is thinking about them. Just think.....an American, whom they never met personally, actually thought of them, went to the post office and paid for postage to send a package. They love it. They will always remember that and they respond to me in ways I cannot describe sometimes. I shed a tear and have feelings for all these people. Its been an amazing experience.

    I give all the glory and praise to the Lord and He has blessed me along the way. I recognize that He was with me through all my trials and near death experiences. I now understand why I was wasting so much of my time before and now I am trying to catch up!

    As far as socialism and the bible, sure there are parts you can equate together to send a message of equality on every level. The most important result for God in this world for his people is Individual Liberty and Freedom for all mankind to seek their individual salvation. Nothing else matters, so your current day definition of socialism is thwarted and perverted by God's true intentions for us to live by!

    I LIVE IT! I LOVE IT! I CHERISH IT! I AM BLESSED!

    Amen!............ I strive to be better.......I do not give to Organized charities but I give cash to individual homeless people or pay for there food anonymously (I work at a grocery store at the beach. Beaches are known for large homeless populations)......I have been told by the cashiers there are many people paying for others groceries now since the "pay it forward trend has started".
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • fear4freedomfear4freedom Posts: 920
    Thats great Aerial! People live under this BIG misconception that conservatives are mean, evil and racist and bigoted people that carry a nasty heart! I have seen the opposite in my whole life on the ground. I have witnessed it for many years now. Conservative Christians are the most generous people I have seen. America is the most generous nation by far. We make up the most hopeful nation in the world because we GIVE that hope to others. We do it on small accounts and large accounts. I know the feeling of giving and its the best in the world.

    So for all you who doubt the heart of conservatives and Chrsitians....guess what.....I conquer all your stereotypes. I am a conservative Christian whom gives everything that he works for. I work as hard as anyone can, and I give it away. WHY? Because of that feeling and the belief that freeing the individual is a non stop fight to do God's will in the world! Individual Liberty and Freedom for all mankind to have the freedoms to pursue their own individual salvation! Its that simple!
    Theres no time like the present

    A man that stands for nothing....will fall for anything!

    All people need to do more on every level!
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    fear4freedom wrote:
    You are supposed to give with joy, even when it hurts your own good. Never let the left hand see what the right hand is giving. Never keep track and count. Just give it with all joy and love.
    I commend you for your generosity. I give too as I can, but never, ever (unless dire or unusual circumstances) would I give and hurt myself in the process. Call me selfish (hell, even I call myself selfish) - and practical as well - but it's more important to me that our mortgage, insurance, etc. are paid on time; that we don't go into debt - and we have none, save for our home and a car that's almost paid off - for charity's sake.

    Again though, kudos from here. I do recognize my good qualities, but I'm just not that selfless.

    (as far as god's will...I see it works for you and has wonderful ripple-effects on others. Me, I just try for goodwill - though sometimes I fail)
  • fear4freedomfear4freedom Posts: 920
    hedonist wrote:
    fear4freedom wrote:
    You are supposed to give with joy, even when it hurts your own good. Never let the left hand see what the right hand is giving. Never keep track and count. Just give it with all joy and love.
    I commend you for your generosity. I give too as I can, but never, ever (unless dire or unusual circumstances) would I give and hurt myself in the process. Call me selfish (hell, even I call myself selfish) - and practical as well - but it's more important to me that our mortgage, insurance, etc. are paid on time; that we don't go into debt - and we have none, save for our home and a car that's almost paid off - for charity's sake.

    Again though, kudos from here. I do recognize my good qualities, but I'm just not that selfless.

    (as far as god's will...I see it works for you and has wonderful ripple-effects on others. Me, I just try for goodwill - though sometimes I fail)

    Thank you Hedo! I appreciate your goodwill! I dont have a mortgage, but I can empathize with you! I dont have a car payment, cause mine is paid off! I try to live on 2k per month. The rest goes to UNCLE SAM and charity! I walk away with nothing! I will die poor cause I am honest and giving, its that simple!
    Theres no time like the present

    A man that stands for nothing....will fall for anything!

    All people need to do more on every level!
  • kenny olavkenny olav Posts: 3,319
    I almost forgot I started this thread... :lol:

    My question was of rhetorical nature and I didn't expect anyone here to be living by the example of the early Christians and apostles... unless anyone here lives in a Christian commune... communes certainly do still exist, but there aren't many, and I doubted anyone here is a part of one.

    fear4freedom, you say you live it, and it's certainly great that you are very generous. I wouldn't try to diminish the goodness of your generosity. I am just curious as to how so many Christians justify supporting capitalism and private property when it seems antithetical to the philosophy set forth by Jesus and his apostles. To me, what they said is that all Christians should live communally, not just give what they don't need to charity.

    I am not a Christian, so I do not need to worry about what the Bible tells people to do, but I find it very interesting given that it is such a popular religion that still commands a great deal of political importance. I was raised in a Christian church, in a largely Christian town, within a mostly Christian country, and I happily wish people a Merry Christmas and pretend to pray at funerals and such, but I've found no reason at all to believe in it. But I won't get into that right now.

    It is well known that most Christian churches practice tithing... meaning church members give 10% of their income to the church for church expenses. According to the passage I quoted from Acts, shouldn't it be 100%? I did some research on tithing to find its origins, and found that it doesn't come from the New Testament, but from the Old Testament, and that the practice of tithing wasn't formally recognized by Christianity until Pope Adrian I's reign in 787. There is some modern debate among Christians about whether tithing should be practiced. It seems to me that Christians, given that Christianity goes by the laws and practices of the New Testament rather than the Old, should be sharing their wealth completely rather than simply donating 10% of it to their churches and keeping the remaining 90% for themselves.

    I don't want to live in a commune, be it Christian or secular. I just think we should create equal opportunity for all and bring an end to economic exploitation. I just wonder about Christianity, its ideals, and why people would subscribe to that religion without living up to what it preaches.
  • aerialaerial Posts: 2,319
    Why pick these four sentences from the bible and wonder why Christens do not follow the few lines you choose? Christians are ostracizes when they do follow the scripture, such as not agreeing in same sex marriage, not believing in abortion, or trying to spread the word of god, but being told "don't push your religion on me". Just on this site alone Christians are are sadly disrespected.
    Do you want to give all your possessions away? We all have an equal opportunity to be who we want to be....for now anyway....
    “We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” Abraham Lincoln
  • kenny olavkenny olav Posts: 3,319
    aerial wrote:
    Why pick these four sentences from the bible and wonder why Christens do not follow the few lines you choose? Christians are ostracizes when they do follow the scripture, such as not agreeing in same sex marriage, not believing in abortion, or trying to spread the word of god, but being told "don't push your religion on me". Just on this site alone Christians are are sadly disrespected.
    Do you want to give all your possessions away? We all have an equal opportunity to be who we want to be....for now anyway....

    I would say that believing that we all have equal opportunity makes as much sense as believing there's a God who made us all sinners and who had his holy spirit conceive him a son from a virgin, and have him be tortured and killed so that all who believed he was the son of God and followed his teachings would be forgiven of those sins. Pardon me if find any of that completely ridiculous.

    I do not want to give up my possessions. I do not want to live completely communally, but I think we should live much more communally than we currently are.

    I was talking about equal opportunity in an economic sense, not simply the ability to "be who we want to be"... fact is, if you are born rich, you have greater opportunity than you would have if you are born poor. A baby that is born rich is unlikely to end up poor, but there's certainly a greater chance of that than of a camel passing through the eye of a needle, if you catch my drift. 8-)
  • fear4freedomfear4freedom Posts: 920
    We are all unique and we all have unique capabilities, hence therefore we all have different values monetarily. So those who make the most should give the most. Which they do! Those who make the least should also try to give when and where they can. Giving is also taking less of something. Life is also not fair and equal, which it never will be in a real world. Christianity and the relationship with Jesus teaches us to love everyone equally and unconditionally. Our hearts will lead us to be generous and charitable which will make up for the charities that are not enacted. We are to fill any voids in the world with love, hope and charity. Its that simple.

    If everyone would give %10, the world would be a better place. Its not about %10 going to your church, its about donating %10 back to people who need it. I believe in tithing if the church has bills, rent, etc. to pay.
    If the govt. begins to tax the churches, then i definately believe in tithing even more so.

    If the churches are exempt from paying taxes, then maybe some money can go to charities instead
    Theres no time like the present

    A man that stands for nothing....will fall for anything!

    All people need to do more on every level!
  • kenny olavkenny olav Posts: 3,319
    fear4freedom wrote:
    We are all unique and we all have unique capabilities, hence therefore we all have different values monetarily. So those who make the most should give the most. Which they do! Those who make the least should also try to give when and where they can. Giving is also taking less of something. Life is also not fair and equal, which it never will be in a real world. Christianity and the relationship with Jesus teaches us to love everyone equally and unconditionally. Our hearts will lead us to be generous and charitable which will make up for the charities that are not enacted. We are to fill any voids in the world with love, hope and charity. Its that simple.

    If everyone would give %10, the world would be a better place. Its not about %10 going to your church, its about donating %10 back to people who need it. I believe in tithing if the church has bills, rent, etc. to pay.
    If the govt. begins to tax the churches, then i definately believe in tithing even more so.

    If the churches are exempt from paying taxes, then maybe some money can go to charities instead

    You haven't gotten to the point of what I've been saying. That's cool though. I'm used to it. Ultimately, I feel satisfied that my point has been proven.
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