That statement is a pet peeve of mine. If everyone took that attitude, then why improve anything? Why make a better mousetrap, or better computer? Actually, why improve on anything. Then we should still be back in the horse and buggy day if not earlier. Then there would be some that would actually believe that humanity would actually be better without all of the improvements made over the centuries.

Actually, it isn't. Taken in context of Acts Ch 10 when the concept is first intruduced, Peter first had the vision of beng able to eat that which was previoiusly cursed to eat. Also verse 28 "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." When Peter said in verse 34 that God is no respector of persons, that is exactly what he meant.

God will not give favor to the Jews over the gentiles. He will not give favor of one nation over another, and neither will he give favor to one person over the other.

Two things occured to me when I re-read what I wrote and your responses. That God is truely no respector of persons, but not in the persective that I first thought of. I always believe the Bible backs itself up. Now lets take a look at the parable of the talents as an example. Remember a talent is a unit of money such as a dollar is a unit of money.

One talent was given to the first man, I believe two (or was it three) was given to the second, and five was given to the last man. Any one can look at this, and say God is a respector of persons. But that isn't true. If the first and second man were given five talents, those two men would have been over burdened. There for the third man would have shown favor, since he wasen't overburdened. If the second and third man were given only one talent, then they would have been favored, since their burden would have been lighter than the first man. In other words God gives us each what we can handle, eventhough we may feel like we can't handle it.

The other thing that keeps popping in my head is that I read somewhere in the old testament that poverty is a curse. The more I think about it, the more I think that is true. What usually comes with poverty? Hopelessness, dispair, depression, abuse, sometimes even sucidial thoughts, thoughts of steeling and gambling, and ect. I have been there, and am still there and it is still not good. It is not good that I know of needs and can't help at all, because I need help myself.

What gets us there? Not listening to the word of God. There are many verses that deal with how we are suppose to handle money. Did I listen? NO. the borrower is the servant to the lender. Also, using money to support a bad habit. Taking on more than you can handle. The Bible says not to start building the house until you know you can afford it. That can be applied to many other things as well.

God is not treating me any differently than anyone else. Neither am I satified with maybe God will help. The Bible is God's word and promise to us. It is his spiritual law just as we have our natural laws that never fail us. When Jesus said ask and ye shall recieve. Believe in your heart and ye will have it. Would be more of a spiritual law. God will help without any doubts based on your faith and understanding of his word.

We can't make God do anything, but we don't have to. God already said He would as long as you follow His word and what His word says. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, then the rest shall be added unto you is another spiritual law. When you seek him out, he will add. Ok, admit I haven't been seeking him for awhile now. Doesn't mean I can't start again. It is frustrating to be thinking God is against you when he is actually for you. I have never believed God wants me where I'm at.

When do you find it? The thought came to me that you find it when you have formed a relationship with God and Jesus. You know his word, promises and blessings. You know beyond a doubt you know you are right where God wants you to be, and knowing all of God's promises and blessings will come to pass not only in heaven, but here as well.

Being content is hard when you believe God has something better for you. Then again it seems what you grasp hold too much slips through your hand, but what you are not straining for and towards seems to come to you with ease.

Ok, I do have a problem with the bare minimum. Show me where in the Bible God ever provided just the bare minimum. He gave all the riches of Egypt to Isreal before they left Egypt. He sent Elijah to the widow in Zarephath. After she shared her tiny meal, not only she and her son ate, but her entire household. By household, I'm thinking all of her sons and daughters and their husbands and wives and children. It never said she had only one boy. The household back then would have included the extended family.

2Kings 4 tells the story of Elisha going to a woman who was in debt. He told her to borrow as many jugs and bowls as you can from your neighbors. Pour the oil into the bowls until they are all full. She only had very little oil. Then she was told to sell the oil, make good on her debts and live off the rest. The bare minimum would be just enough to pay her debts.

What about Jesus feeding the multitudes of people? He did this more than once, and both times he more than enough left over? I know there are more examples. I can not think of one example where God just meat the bare minimum.

I do not believe the Bible contridicates itself. We just haven't learned how it coensides with itself yet. How does Proverbs 30 and Psalms 112 work together when they seem to contridicate themselves.

From reading both of your replies, I'm picking up a sense of fear of wealth. That wealth would be too tempting for you to fall into it's traps instead of what God would want you to do with it. Yet it is good that there are wealthy Christians. Otherwise many, many more people would go without help. When hearing stories about some of the wealthy Chrisians, it seems that the ones that really use their money to help others are the ones God pulled up out of poverty. They are the ones that kept their focus on God also. I don't think I'll ever forget the story of JC Penny. He may have started by giving 10% tithe to God, but ended up living on 10%, which was more than enough for him, and giving 90% away before he died. Since he died, the company has had to close stores, and is not doing as well as it did when JC Penny was alive.

 

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Well as for the rest of your post, I guess you answered yourself..

As for the quoted--No fear just personal prefrence, and knowing myself..

 

No disrespect intended Truckfam, but you quoted me and then go on with your statement and seem to say that meant just bare minimum. Please understand my statement means God will provide at least a bare minimum and over and above too. Not just a bare minimum.

But if you want an example of where God provided the bare minimum you need to look no further than the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. God provided food in the form of manna and water. The Israelites were told that God would provide manna daily to feed His people and instructed them NOT to save any from one day to the next because He would provide daily as needed. Not an overabundance but the necessary substinance to survive. Now surely the Israelites had some livestock and probably ate from that source too. But by traveling in the wilderness for 40 years certainly that was not a primary source.

God is under no obligation to provide an abundance for us, although in many cases He does. But I think you may have explained it yourself in the story of the talents. God is not going to give us more than we can handle and that goes for assets as well as problems.

I have to agree with Slimland on his answer to your post. I think for the most part you have answered yourself. What I think I see in your post, but not specifically mentioned by name, is patience. Patience with God that He will provide what is best for us, when it is best for us, and works within His plan. Overall that usually means it is not on our timetable and that can make us a little upset.

Do I have a fear of wealth? No, absolutely not. In fact I like wealth very much and welcome it whenever I can. But, I also understand that wealth in and of itself is a very powerful drug. Like power, sex, and other things wealth and the drive to gain more can take over a man's soul.

 

I found it,, Ha.. I thought it was lost, but it was found :lol: :lol:

 

I found it,, Ha.. I thought it was lost, but it was found :lol: :lol:

 

Dang Slimland I had to read all that twice. :lol:

 

Sorry, My net was messing up, and I didn't want to lose it again..

The only reason I had Brought it back up, was I think it Goeman who asked Fozzy what he believed! And this was the thread where Fozzy answered me at one time..
I thought it was lost, because I originaly thought it was on the old debate of OTR and Fozzy thread.. and that was eliminated when CAD had all them problems.

 

My 2 cents
Luke 18-30
You should read the whole thing for yourself. The red writing was added later as was the interpretation of the eye of a needle being a door.
Luke 18: 26 And those who heard it said,” Who then can be saved?’
Why would they ask that if it was as simple as going through a small door. Huh?? Jesus’s response again answers it when he says “ The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”.
Why would he use impossible if it was as simple as going through a small door. What makes more sense?
1Timothy 6:10 Read the whole book if you like but I’ll quote this Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare.