From the book - "Everything Must Change"

 

"the poor you will have with you always" is often used to aruge against the elimination of poverty . . .

 

'Quoting Jesus' words from matthew 26:11 to defend a complacency toward the poor becomes manifeswtly ridiculous when one looks at the passage of the Old Testament jesus is himslef quoting: Deuteronomy 15. After saying, "There will always be poor eople in the land," the text says, "Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward . . .the poor and needy in your land: (v 11). And eiarlier in the chapter (v.4), we read, "However, there should be no poor among you." because the land can produce an abundance for all if that abundance is fairly distributed through a just legal system - or to use our term in this bookd a just equity system.'

 

"It's risky business to superficially quote Jesus!"

 

Isn't the bolded shocking. Surely God is a capitalist, but this suggests otherwise. hmmmm

It also says that if you don't work, you don't eat (to paraphrase a little).

 

The point is that we all support helping the truly needy and those who cannot help themselves. However, we have no duty to help the millions of takers who have never done anything more strenuous that to produce an abundance of offspring.

It also says that if you don't work, you don't eat (to paraphrase a little).

 

The point is that we all support helping the truly needy and those who cannot help themselves. However, we have no duty to help the millions of takers who have never done anything more strenuous that to produce an abundance of offspring.

 

1. Read the whole scripture involving the don't work don't eat quote. It goes to missionaries who are not supposed to sponge off of the people they are evangelizing.

 

2. No where, I repeat No where does the Bible tell us to choose between those who are worthy of help and those who are not. It tells us to help all.

 

As in another thread - somebody please give me some numbers on all of those who ABUSE the system. I have yet to see them. I hear anecdotal stories but that is just that a story. how many people are abusing the .087 percent of the federal budget that is used on poverty assistance.

We do help the poor. Just take a look at all the programs we have food stamps, medicaid, Wick, programs to help shelter people, programs for the homeless and programs to train people, there are most likely more, but these are the ones I can think of at the moment. There are many who use these services on a temporary basis, but you act as if some out there will never do anything to help theirselves.

We have many programs to help people, but they do not take advantage of them. Some individuals just keep telling them that others are taking advantage of them and then all they want to do is complain how lousy life is.

Do you think the answer is always a government handout? People who continually get assistance come to depend on it and do nothing to help theirselves.

Maybe some of the young people to get away from the defeatist attitude that the community has by joining the military. They will learn discipline, earn money and learn a trade.

Edited November 9, 200817 yr by bballfamily
added a word

We do help the poor. Just take a look at all the programs we have food stamps, medicaid, Wick, programs to help shelter people, programs for the homeless and programs to train people, there are most likely more, but these are the ones I can think of at the moment. There are many who use these services on a temporary basis, but you act as if some out there will never do anything to help theirselves.

We have many programs to help people, but they do not take advantage of them. Some individuals just keep telling them that others are taking advantage of them and then all they want to do is complain how lousy life is.

Do you think the answer is always a government handout? People who continually get assistance come to depend on it and do nothing to help theirselves.

Maybe some of the young people to get away from the defeatist attitude that the community has by joining the military. They will learn discipline, earn money and learn a trade.

 

What if your religion teaches you that war is bad.

 

you are right, we do some things and spend .087 of the federal budget to do it.

 

The OP however, is about the distribtution of wealth and that it should be done fairly through a just legal system - according to the scripture. Is that not what Obama has been saying and what many on here have been railing against?

What if your religion teaches you that war is bad.

 

you are right, we do some things and spend .087 of the federal budget to do it.

 

The OP however, is about the distribtution of wealth and that it should be done fairly through a just legal system - according to the scripture. Is that not what Obama has been saying and what many on here have been railing against?

 

Of course war is bad, but we must be ready to defeat our enemies, if it becomes necessary.

 

I believe you are misrepresenting the Bible when you say wealth has to br redistributed. I believe we must help those that need a hand up, but then they must take care of theirselves.

What if your religion teaches you that war is bad.

 

Fine. Enlist & train to be a medic, fireman, whatever. There are plenty of non-combat positions available.

Of course war is bad, but we must be ready to defeat our enemies, if it becomes necessary.

 

I believe you are misrepresenting the Bible when you say wealth has to br redistributed. I believe we must help those that need a hand up, but then they must take care of theirselves.

 

Tell me how I should interpret that particular scripture then? I think it is pretty straightforward.

Fine. Enlist & train to be a medic, fireman, whatever. There are plenty of non-combat positions available.

 

The thread is about the scriptures intention of fair distribution of wealth through a just legal system. what do you think about that.

Tell me how I should interpret that particular scripture then? I think it is pretty straightforward.

 

How much of your own money, after taxes, do you voluntarily give to the "poor"?

The thread is about the scriptures intention of fair distribution of wealth through a just legal system. what do you think about that.

Do you believe that a just legal system is one that compels people to surrender their wealth to the state for redistribution as it sees fit? Is that your notion of a just legal system?

The government may have an important role to play in many matters, but that can never satisfy Jesus’ call for those who would follow him to care for those in need. Christians are called to “tax” themselves—giving their time, prayers, bodies and souls in friendships and Christian fellowship with those less fortunate.

How much of your own money, after taxes, do you voluntarily give to the "poor"?

 

Wow, money, money money!!! After I pay a large amount of taxes, I have donated my time, clothing, toys, and quite a few items I have owned to local charity. Not always about cash!!

From the book - "Everything Must Change"

 

"the poor you will have with you always" is often used to aruge against the elimination of poverty . . .

 

'Quoting Jesus' words from matthew 26:11 to defend a complacency toward the poor becomes manifeswtly ridiculous when one looks at the passage of the Old Testament jesus is himslef quoting: Deuteronomy 15. After saying, "There will always be poor eople in the land," the text says, "Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward . . .the poor and needy in your land: (v 11). And eiarlier in the chapter (v.4), we read, "However, there should be no poor among you." because the land can produce an abundance for all if that abundance is fairly distributed through a just legal system - or to use our term in this bookd a just equity system.'

 

"It's risky business to superficially quote Jesus!"

 

Isn't the bolded shocking. Surely God is a capitalist, but this suggests otherwise. hmmmm

 

What version of the bible did you find this in. I reviewed the KJV, the NIV and the New American Standard versions and did not find anything about "distributing through a just legal system". Also this commandment was for Israelites to care for Israelites. It commands Hebrews to cancel the debt from another Hebrew during the seventh year. But debt from non Israelites are allowed to continue.

Leviticus also talks about the poor. It tells property owners to leave the edges of their harvest to the poor. This indicates two things. First the poor must go and work to receive the food, and that they aren't to receive the best. This is a commandment to individuals, not a government.

How much of your own money, after taxes, do you voluntarily give to the "poor"?

 

 

You know it isn't always about money, but peace of mind and time. As in the Movie Field of Dreams

Mann: Ray, people will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. "Of course, we won't mind if you have a look around," you'll say. "It's only twenty dollars per person." They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it; for it is money they have and peace they lack.

A lot of people have money, but what they don't have is peace and time! I wish more with money would also give their time in helping the poor or handicapped. Time to a lot of people with money, is more important than money, it's easy to give up the money but impossible to give up their time!