A little something on 'giving back'

[onesteptwostep]

How I Overcame Homelessness Twice to Become a Billioniare
I thought this was very heartful and to some degree very illuminating. Since we've been talking about morals lately, I think this the type of drive that should be told to everyone.

 

[Old Things]

Giving back is like sowing into the Kingdom of God. I give monthly to several organizations. I am by no means rich or well-off, but I believe in the power of giving.

 

[onesteptwostep]

I think from a Christian standpoint giving back IS sowing into the kingdom of God. I think we often think of giving, alms, as if it's a moral action that needs to be checked off a list or something, that it's good by the mere merit of it- but I think it's much more ritualistic, a statement of your faith, if you will, like our hope on the cross. So in a sense, an action of hope is literally faith itself.

 

[Old Things]

I think from a Christian standpoint giving back IS sowing into the kingdom of God. I think we often think of giving, alms, as if it's a moral action that needs to be checked off a list or something, that it's good by the mere merit of it- but I think it's much more ritualistic, a statement of your faith, if you will, like our hope on the cross. So in a sense, an action of hope is literally faith itself.

I like what you said about it being an "action of hope." I take this to mean we are gaining spiritual rewards that will be given one day when Christ returns.

 

[onesteptwostep]

I think faith in itself is the reward! When we abide in Christ, He abides in us. When we're in Christ, Christ is in us- and that unity, is glory as is. That itself is glorification. Not glorification of God Himself, but the simple, mere enjoyment of being with Him!

 

[Old Things]

Yes. The greatest treasure of all is Christ Himself. We partake of Him. When we die or when he comes back He is our treasure. That's why Paul said he forsook all things in order to gain Christ. We have a lasting treasure waiting for us. One that will not decay. It is Christ!

You probably will not like the style of this music, but I think the lyrics are pretty lit!

 

[onesteptwostep]

Yes. The greatest treasure of all is Christ Himself. We partake of Him. When we die or when he comes back He is our treasure. That's why Paul said he forsook all things in order to gain Christ. We have a lasting treasure waiting for us. One that will not decay. It is Christ!

You probably will not like the style of this music, but I think the lyrics are pretty lit!

Ah Christian metal! This reminds me of a quote from C.S. Lewis that says Christianity is the trunk that allows the blossom of culture to happen, that the flowers themselves are the proof that we praise God.

I'm more of a post-rock, instrumental type myself. I like listening to Sufjan Steven and classicals (I'm told that they were literally doing worship ministry in their day)

 

[birdsnestfern]

Christ is a teacher that reminds you to be like Christ.

 

[Old Things]

Christ is a teacher that reminds you to be like Christ.

Jesus also claimed to be God. And God resurrected him. So He's more than just a good teacher.

 

[Cognisant]

Being a teacher, being good and being god are separate things, someone could be a bad god or a bad teacher or both or be a good god but a bad teacher or a bad god but a good teacher, so the assertion that Jesus is God and therefore good doesn't hold up, it's a non sequitur.

You believe God is good because God is good and that's bad faith because you're not willing to question why you believe it, in your mind I suppose that makes you devout but to me that makes you dangerous.

“Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire

Throughout history people's unquestioning faith has been used to make them do horrendous things, things that under any other circumstances they would consider unconscionable, but they did it because bad faith blinded them to their own conscience.

"Deus vult" / "God wills it"


Whom giveth men the authority to speak for God?

Who giveth men the right to ignore the testament and kill in God's name?

"The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart: O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!" - William Shakespeare

I'm not saying you can't have faith but if I believed in God and a devil I'd be extremely wary of practicing bad faith because I can't imagine any greater delight for the devil than fooling people into sin in God's name.

 

[Old Things]

so the assertion that Jesus is God and therefore good doesn't hold up, it's a non sequitur.

Who is saying this?