Let me begin by saying I enjoy going to the gathering of the faithful and singing praises to God: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I also enjoy the messages of The Holy Word of God, and really enjoy a pastor or preacher who has a true Love for God and His Way and people.
I need to hear how I fail to keep His Word when I don't live as he calls me too. I need to be remindedthat His Way, is about more than just hearing His Word, it is about living it every day and not allowing the way of the world to destroy my walk with Him. I enjoy the fellowship of Christian brothers and sisters and enjoy listening to their experiences in the day to day living of His Word. I want His Word to be spread world wide by those who Love and follow Him and His Way and am willing to donate for that cause to be fulfilled as well as to pay for the pastors and the staff, and all the costs involved with bringing His word to us. I'm also willing to spend the time He gives me sharing as He calls me to share and bring His Way to people as He leads me too.
I actually get excited-joyful, when I read the passages and they reveal the life we are to Live in Him through Him- and it is pleasing to hear a pastor who is concerned for his flock and want we in Christ to walk in His Way. Now most of the time, even though it is clearly a conservative church, my pastor is pretty good about not letting politics control his teachings. Yes his views on wealth are quite different from mine, but that is acceptable to me as he has his right to believe as he will just as I do, but when I start hearing the corporations as being acceptable according to his understanding I have to ask where he is getting his information.
A few weeks ago we covered the Book of James one of my favorite Books of The Holy Bible. There are a few passages in the Book that cover the love of wealth and the treating of the wealthy more favorable than treating the poor, as well as treating the poor more favorably than the wealthy.
So I really hoped the pastor would step up and say that all the garbage going on was ridiculous. Instead what we got was sermon on how hard the CEO's work and how they provide jobs, so they deserve their wealth more than say Oprah Winfrey, or those Hollywood actors and directors do. Because all they do is promote un-godliness and make the ways of the world seem like they are good. -Paraphrased- To say I was disappointed would be an understatement, to say I agreed would be a lie, to say the pastor really showed where his heart was considering the love of money would be accurate. I have prayed for the pastor, and those in church who agree with his views and hope they will receive the Holy Spirits guideance on the matters as well as I receive The Holy Spirits guideance on the matters.
Let me post a few passages from James so you can see them and gain your own understanding from them, if you will. Then maybe you can understand how dismayed I am at the meanings given by the pastor.
James: 1: 9-11
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
From the Bible study;
1:9 James offers two examples of trials (vv. 2): one is of a lowly brother and the other is about a rich man. Probably lowly means "poor," in contrast to the other man who is rich. The poor believer is to glory (see "count it all joy" in v. 2) in the fact that God has exalted him by allowing him to experience difficult circumstances, for these will only perfect his character and faith (v. 4). The rich believer can also glory when a trial brings him low because it teaches him that life is short, and that his pursuits, that is, his business, will fade away. The rich man should always trust the Lord, not himself or his money.
Rich or Poor?
In ancient Israel, there were grasses that sprouted out of the ground in the morning and by the afternoon would wither away under the intense heat of the summer sun. James compares the instability of wealth to this type of grass; it is here today and gone tomorrow. The following chart delineates what Scripture says about riches.
The Worlds View of Riches
Money brings freedom.
Money brings security.
Money is what matters.
Money is power.
Money establishes not only your net worth, but your worth as a person.
Money makes you successful.
Money gives you options.
Money brings happiness.
Money is your reward. Save it, and spend it on yourself.
Money is your possession. Spend it on whatever you want.
The Words View of Riches
The desire for money can be enslaving and lead to destruction; only Christ brings true freedom (1 Tim. 6:7).
Worldly wealth is very insecure; it will quickly pass away (1:10). Real security is found in knowing and trusting God (Jer. 9:23, 24; 1 Tim. 6:17).
Christ and the kingdom of God are what matters (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 3:7).
Power comes from being filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:8; 3:1).
Your worth is based on what God says, not what your bank statement says (John 3:16; Eph. 1:3).
Success comes from knowing and doing what God says (Josh. 1:8).
God is the One who ultimately gives you options (Eph. 3:20).
The happiness that money brings is short-lived. And in the long run, money can actually produce "many sorrows" (1 Tim. 6:10). Lasting joy comes from knowing God (5:1; John 15:11; 16:24).
Give as much as you can (Matt. 6:19; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:6; 1 Tim. 6:18).
All that you have is Gods to do with as He pleases. You are merely a manager of His possessions (Ps. 24:1; Luke 19:11; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Just by these views here it is easy to see that the religious right does not follow the views of God. So why would I want to go and sit in a building that is used for the gathering of like minded people, when they don't share my understanding of God's Way ?? Why would I want to give them money to continue on spreading their political beliefs, over God's Biblical beliefs ??
James 1:26-27
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
From the Bible study:
1:27To visit comes from the Greek word usually translated bishop, a person who oversees God's people (1 Tim. 3:1). Orphans and widows were among the most unprotected and needy classes in ancient societies (see Ezek. 22:7). Pure religion does not merely give material goods for the relief of the distressed, it also oversees their care (see Acts 6:1; 1 Tim. 5:3).
Pretty much speaks for itself, when the "right wing religionists" want to deny food, medical care, shelter, clothing, or any other thing to those in the most need.
James 2:1-5
2 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
F T Bible Study:
2:5 God has chosen to use poor people who are rich in faith to advance His kingdom. Those who love Him and obey Him (see 15:9) and endure the testing of their faith (1:12) will inherit the kingdom. This inheritance means more than entering the kingdom; it also involves ruling with Christ (see 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:21; 2 Tim. 2:12John 14:15;
James: 2: 12-13 2:14-17
12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
FT Bible Study:
2:12 Believers will be judged bythe law of liberty, which is the law of love (see 1:25). Believers who do not practice partiality, but who practice love (vv. 5, 8) and mercy, will triumph at the judgment seat. Those who have not shown mercy will not receive mercy., 13
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 5:1-6
5 Come now, yourich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.Ft Bible Study:
5:1 In the spirit of the Old Testament prophets, James pronounces judgment on employers who treat their employees unjustly (Is. 3:14, 15; 10:2). God will judge those who oppress the poor (see Ezek. 18:12, 13).
5:2 In the ancient world food, costly garments, and precious metals were conspicuous signs of wealth. James pronounces judgment and destruction on all three., 3
I know this is a lot of Bible passages. But James the half brother of Jesus Christ does an excellent job of revealing why we should not be politically or wealth favoring.
I'm not in church today. But I'm sharing the Love of God in Jesus Christ with all who will read it and join in with His Way. Don't we have enough politicians in this country who promote corporatism ?? Do we really want our churches who are tax free to promote businesses and politicians ??
Or do we want them to preach God and His Way ?? I want God and His Way.
I know the article is long, and contains a lot of passages. but how else are we believer supposed to show what is wrong with what is being preached today if we allow the preachers to be politicians, and politicians to be preachers ?? While no one share the word of God ??
Comments are welcome, disagreements happen. Atttacks should not.
What do you think, I'd like to hear from you wheter you are a Christian or not.
