rumitoid

Is it embarrassing to them that they cannot or will not adequately care for "the least of these"? That mega-churches need mansions on earth more than in heaven? Or missionaries in far off countries rather than free soup kitchens, clothing stores, medical help, rent assistance, shelter, and a huge list of other things? Pastors with million dollar holdings. Pastors being subsidized by their congregants instead of working for a living? Pastors building bigger churches with money that could save and enrich lives?

We are judged by our treatment of "the least of these." That is what the Bible clearly states, no matter what other dogma says about works or faith. Caring for the least of these, out of love and not obligation, not as some duty or goal of being a good Christian, is the only path to heaven. God knows the heart, and to the extent we able to act in this way, by faith and grace, we find Eternal Life.

Conservative Christians are holding protests outside the Pearly Gates.

youngwilliam Loc: Deep in the heart

No problem with the truly needy. Those that have adopted it as a lifestyle are the problem.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

You don't know the Author of the book you quote.

You once slandered (slandered) the Salvation Army who saved my life.

If you want a Theocracy, the nearest is in the Mideast.

If you look to the governments of men to fix things you won't have much longer to be disappointed.

Liberty Tree

Christians have no trouble for help to the needy. They have trouble with welfare to the able bodied who refuse to work or for those who receive benefits fraudulently. The Bible teaches that if a man will not work he should not eat That was one of the rules at the Jamestown Colony

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Most Christians I know have no problem caring for the truly needy. What we have a problem with is encouraging people to become dependent on the charity of others and being unwilling to help themselves become better people. The soul destroying state of dependency that eats away at all that is human in our very being is a tool of the devil. Unfortunately the "progressives" know that those people who have lost their self worth become pliable and easily controlled, are tools to be used for the destruction of the human race. Instead of lifting themselves up to the glory of God they loose their very being in drugs, alcohol , and deviency.

Weaver

I agree with you. What Rumi needed to tell all, what he has done to alleviate the problem. Many on the left want to see them helped but think others should do the help.I don’t see the needy that look like they have missed any meals. A young ladie hit me up for some money the other day which I gave to her. She looked like she needed to lose some weight not add more on. The ones who I think need help are the homeless children and there are surprisingly many of them.

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

Warning against Idleness

2 Thess. 3: 6-15

6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

7) For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,

8) we did not eat any one’s bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.

9) It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate.

10) For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat.

11) For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.

12) Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living.

13) Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.

14) If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

15) Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Some will say this scripture refers to Christians who don't want to work.

Anyone want to bet there's plenty of scriptures that make it plain this rule applies to us all?

Here's one for starters (God's Word is mathematically perfect! ):

Gen. 3: 17-19

17) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it', cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

18) thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.

19) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Any more scriptures that that reinforce the t***h that ultimately you have to work or starve?

How about examples in the animal kingdom? The universe and God's Word are mathematically perfect.

We were the variable.

Emphasis mine.

rumitoid

And those that have adopted it as a lifestyle: why? And why not? Many forced into intolerable conditions find a measure of dignity and control by saying it was a choice. This is a normal reaction by most people when faced by impossible odds. Own it other than be a victim. Dignity saved. No matter the circumstances.

rumitoid

If I did slander the Salvation army, my deepest apologies, but Please produce that comment, as I have nothing now nor ever against that organization.

I have to put down your other comments as ravings, as I have never advocated any of them.

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

They were scripture...which you quote when it suits you.

I told you you don't know the Author.

Bad for you.

rumitoid

And how do they properly evaluate that fact of being "able-bodied who refuse to work"? What test? A town loses its industry and a young buck walks in looking for help for his family. He is able-bodied. Refuse him? Shame him? Judge him?

rumitoid

You have absolutely no clue as to what it means to be poor. If you a have criterion of giving that some will become dependent, you are sick and not Christian. Give freely and let God decide--and not your limited earthly understanding--what is best. Such evaluations are not only beyond you but condemned by the Bible: "Judge not." You are thoroughly incapable of such an assessment. Being kind and generous may enable an addiction, and free a person. YOU DO NOT KNOW. Just love as God commanded, and trust him for the outcome.

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

Easy Rumi. Know who they are. Live with them. Invite them into your home. Try to work with them. Then you know.

The only reason this is a mystery to you is you're a bag of hot air. Go get your own hands dirty and quit berating everyone else for not living up to your philosophical idea of who they should be.

youngwilliam Loc: Deep in the heart

Sure while they get back on their feet. Not for generations of free loading. That's the difference.