A very good question. Another good one is why
christians believe it is acceptable to hoard wealth (prosperity gospel) when their "savior" so clearly preached against it, and the early church practiced a nearly communistic form of sharing wealth. Picture was found on the blog
What Would Jack Do?.
the early church practiced a nearly communistic form of sharing wealth.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, but within certain limits. Regarding widows, for example, the early church had very practical guidelines about helping only those who were truly in need. The first line of defense against poverty was the immediate family, then the extended family.
"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God." (1 Timothy 5:3-4)
"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)
Wouldn't this require a certain amount of "hoarding" so that there would be enough money to help your family when emergencies arise?
Even if the widow had no family, church help was limited to older widows who had themselves contributed to the common good.
"No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." (1 Timothy 5:9-10)
The early church acknowledged the pitfalls of younger widows receiving help so long as they were able bodied.
"As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to." (1 Timothy 5:11-13)
The bottom line of all this is self-reliance whenever possible. This can best be summed up by this verse.
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.'"(2 Thessalonians 3:10)
Ted,
ReplyDeleteThat's an easy one. Fundamentalist Christians aren't true Christians, and only believe their own nonsense. That's why they so stubbornly support outright murderers like Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bush, and the status quo in general.
Fundamentalist Christians aren't true Christians, and only believe their own nonsense.
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether you consider Southern Baptists to be Fundamentalist Christians or Evangelical Christians, or if you know the difference (I'm not even sure I know, and I are one). But our church participates in something called Manna Ministries. We provide discounted groceries to needy families.
(Here's a link to the web page, in case you want to donate anywhere from $18 to $34 for a box.)
Even if you prefer "to hoard [your] wealth," you could still volunteer your time to deliver the boxes.