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I know He was speaking about spiritual matters, but Jesus also said not to cast our pearls before swine. Personally, I think your idea about not giving if they ask is a little on the rigid side, but not a bad thought. Don't feel bad about saying no if you feel that they are just panhandling, but allow yourself to give when you have a feeling that there is a real need even if they ask.
I asked God a question and the answer I received contradicts what is written in the Bible. The answer makes more sense to me than what is written.
I prayed about the way people take advantage of those who are willing to give. In the Bible, Jesus said to deny no one anything if they ask you for it. He spoke in several places about giving to those who need or ask. Luke 6:30, Matthew 5:40, Luke 3:11.
There are so many these days that take advantage and use our goodness when they really have no need. This is the answer that I received after prayer.
If you SEE that someone has a need, fill it. If anyone ASKS you for anything, tell them no and be strong about it. Tell them no BECAUSE they asked YOU for it and did not pray to me. If they pray to me first, then I will cause you to SEE the need--THEN you do not refuse, you will fill the need. They are to ask of me FIRST--SEEK me first.
The answer came in just about the exact wording that I used.What do you think?
The church I'm at has people asking for aide all day long. Pastor doesn't just give them cash or a check, but asks some pointed soul searching questions and makes a determination based on their answers.
Also, the various churches Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox tip off one another when, for lack of a better word, scammers are in the area. This networking between faiths goes on behind the scenes within many communities.
The reason I have so much trouble is because some of the answers that I have been getting seem like contradictions. I have even argued with God over some issues. It's like he uses adversity(sometimes called evil) to find your weaknesses and misconceptions but His methods are not very nice. I can give some examples of answers that I have been getting.
Foul language/ what we call curse words---mans language used usually as expletives to express displeasure for pain, fear or anger--only bad when used against another for intent to harm--ignore the language and interpret intent. To curse God is to come against love and sometimes the accuser is the one guilty.
Divorce or living together without papers---no law against love, laws were used to prevent harm to others and in that caused great harm, I put them in remission and asked that you obey out of love. This is so none but I can judge you. It's better to stay married to one when possible for the children's sake. If your actions will harm another put yourself last. Paper's are of mankind, the heart is of God, choose wisely making lasting commitments and taking life and love seriously. All things that are evil are the things which do you and others harm, all things of love create a benefit for you and others. My love is a benefit and a construction. Perception is where things are going wrong.
There are other issues--I ask lots of questions and at times argue. He doesn't seem to mind if I argue as long as I'm honest about my perceptions--then He corrects them.
As long as MAN has known God there has been a need for the concept of Satan to explain evil.
If there is no Satan then we are stuck with a God that does nothing to prevent evil.
The answer is simple: God's creation is perfect and within the perfection of creation we have the freedom to be evil. If we did not have the ability to be evil then we would all be like Jesus on Earth. So the creation is perfect as it is. And evil is within us. And if someone say Satan is tempting you that is simply a metaphor describing your inner tendency to sin.
The NT is the inspired word of God, but it is written for barbaric people from biblical times.
Sheila, this reminds me of the Lutheran pastor, George Muller who opened orphanages in the 1800s in England to care for the many children who had lost their parents and were living on the streets. His philosophy of prayer was that he should never make his needs known to others, but trust that God would provide. For much of his life he kept records of his prayers and how they were answered.
Greatest of all Muller's undertakings was the erection and maintenance of the great orphanages at Bristol. He began the undertaking with only two shillings (50 cents) in his pocket; but in answer to prayer and without making his needs known to human beings, he received the means necessary to erect the great buildings and to feed the orphans day by day for sixty years. In all that time the children did not have to go without a meal, and Mr. Muller said that if they ever had to go without a meal he would take it as evidence that the Lord did not will the work to continue. Sometimes the meal time was almost at hand and they did not know where the food would come from, but the Lord always sent it in due time, during the twenty thousand or more days that Mr. Muller had charge of the homes. George Muller Evangelist, Orphanages, Bristol, England - Christian Biography Resources
Yes. His story is amazing. Jesus said all things are possible to him that believes. Unfortunately we've stuck in an "if it be thy will in there", not understanding that it was our faith that failed us, not God's will. His will is all things are possible to him that believes.
i asked god a question and the answer i received contradicts what is written in the bible. The answer makes more sense to me than what is written.
I prayed about the way people take advantage of those who are willing to give. In the bible, jesus said to deny no one anything if they ask you for it. He spoke in several places about giving to those who need or ask. Luke 6:30, matthew 5:40, luke 3:11.
There are so many these days that take advantage and use our goodness when they really have no need. This is the answer that i received after prayer.
If you see that someone has a need, fill it. If anyone asks you for anything, tell them no and be strong about it. Tell them no because they asked you for it and did not pray to me. If they pray to me first, then i will cause you to see the need--then you do not refuse, you will fill the need. They are to ask of me first--seek me first.
The answer came in just about the exact wording that i used.what do you think?
no
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