A question to all Christians?

originally posted by: crayzeed
Now let me see. There was that part where Jesus said something like" it is easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle that to enter the kingdom of heaven".
Now no matter how you wrap that up he means the rich man is going to suffer cos he ain't going to heaven cos he's rich.
And if money is the root of all evil just why does the church keep asking for donations?

If it doesn't sell anything. It must rely on charity.

Also, usually only members of a church are asked to contribute.

Here's a concept: the Roman Catholic Church - billions of members - reasonable money management = very wealthy but not by theft or trade.

originally posted by: chr0naut

Here's a concept: the Roman Catholic Church - billions of members - reasonable money management = very wealthy but not by theft or trade.

Sorry. But Jim Bakker was a con man.

James 3:1
Berean Literal Bible
Not many of you should be teachers my brothers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.

Be careful what you teach........

edit on 15-5-2016 by neutronflux because: Fix quote

a reply to: chr0naut

Sorry the quote was messed up. Jim bakker was a con man. I think he will be judged more harshly.

originally posted by: neutronflux
a reply to: chr0naut

Sorry the quote was messed up. Jim bakker was a con man. I think he will be judged more harshly.

Sadly, there are many similar "seed faith" cons, especially where the media is concerned. The wolves dress like the sheep, only snappier.

a reply to: luciferslight

Not all Christians who call themselves Christians are followers of Jesus Christ.

Mat 7:21 is clear, "Not every one who is saying to me Lord, lord, shall come into the reign of the heavens; but he who is doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens."

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I have gone to a church service where the visiting pastor was boasting about the fact that when he needed a new building for his church to move into, a time after he started praying for a particular place, the previous tenant passed away and so the place became available for his church.

Jesus taught us to discern with the spirit every word that comes our way. It bothered me that this pastor boasted about his church's victory as a result of another's passing.

It is unfortunate that religion is so easily misunderstood, misapplied and misrepresented, but that's the way it is. Christ's word and actions should be the standard. What would Jesus do, is a corny and oft phrased, but when I am confused, I try to ask this question. More often than not although I fail, at least I know what the benchmark is.

a reply to: questt

Weird your pastor prayed for such a cause.
What if Jesus did take his life away? What kind of forgivening, love-all, kind, prophet do such a thing?

This twisted from Christians who pray to Jesus who gives and takes!
Couldn't Jesus have planned a different approach to make sure that pastor got what he wanted and let the other guy live?

a reply to: luciferslight

I think the root of what Stanley means is that genuine prayer, from any genuine emotion, is responded to. If someone is beaten down into misery, desperation can push someone to reach out in humility and make a connection to the creator.

I think Stanley is missing something, though, and absolutely should not be praying for people to have misery upon them. He should pray for people's hearts being open to reaching out to God in the spirit of love or desire for unity, if he's going to praying for a specific emotion that brings people to God.

Ultimately, though, I don't think we should be presuming to know what situation or emotion is ideal for someone finding God. We should just be praying for God to put them in the right circumstances. We're all individual locks, and God is a master key. We should pray for His intervention, but to suggest a method for Him to intervene--ESPECIALLY a mean spirited one like using misery--is beyond us, I think.

a reply to: luciferslight

Just remember that whatever you put out into the universe comes back to you.

I highly doubt very many people do this.

Psalm 109 [Revised Standard Version (RSV)]


Be not silent, O God of my praise!

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,
speaking against me with lying tongues.

They beset me with words of hate,
and attack me without cause.

In return for my love they accuse me,
even as I make prayer for them.

So they reward me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.

Appoint a wicked man against him;
let an accuser bring him to trial.

When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;
let his prayer be counted as sin!

May his days be few;
may another seize his goods!

May his children be fatherless,
and his wife a widow!

May his children wander about and beg;
may they be driven out of the ruins they inhabit!

May the creditor seize all that he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!

Let there be none to extend kindness to him,
nor any to pity his fatherless children!

May his posterity be cut off;
may his name be blotted out in the second generation!

May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord,
and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!

Let them be before the Lord continually;
and may his memory be cut off from the earth!

For he did not remember to show kindness,
but pursued the poor and needy
and the brokenhearted to their death.

He loved to curse; let curses come on him!
He did not like blessing; may it be far from him!

He clothed himself with cursing as his coat,
may it soak into his body like water,
like oil into his bones!

May it be like a garment which he wraps round him,
like a belt with which he daily girds himself!

May this be the reward of my accusers from the Lord,
of those who speak evil against my life!

But thou, O God my Lord,
deal on my behalf for thy name’s sake;
because thy steadfast love is good, deliver me!

For I am poor and needy,
and my heart is stricken within me.

I am gone, like a shadow at evening;
I am shaken off like a locust.

My knees are weak through fasting;
my body has become gaunt.

I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
when they see me, they wag their heads.

Help me, O Lord my God!
Save me according to thy steadfast love!

Let them know that this is thy hand;
thou, O Lord, hast done it!

Let them curse, but do thou bless!
Let my assailants be put to shame; may thy servant be glad!

May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;
may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle!

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save him from those who condemn him to death.