Is it a sin to give people what they want?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Is it wrong to give people what they want?

  • Yes

    Votes: 1 20.0%

  • No

    Votes: 2 40.0%

  • I don't know, any other option...explain...

    Votes: 2 40.0%
  • Total voters
    5
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

thefightinglamb

Guest
#1
#1
I have been in this predicament quite often...

My younger brother wants an explicit content cd that my mom will buy for him if I don't, but since I am with him,he asks me to buy it for him...and I do...is this wrong???

Or when I was a vegetarian, I would buy meat for people though I thought it wrong to kill animals...is this wrong?

I am perplexed about the rightness/wrongness of buying things that go against what you believe in...

For example, confession: I have bought cigarettes and chew for underage people like twice, I think???, though I do not support smoking at all...but I wanted them to see that I loved them by doing what they wanted done...

Obviously to some extant it seems wrong, but is their cases where you do what someone else wants? Instead of what your morals suggest?

SHould I not buy meat for anyone if I think it wrong to eat animals???

Just questions,
God bless
tony
 
Raheem

Raheem

Banned
#2
Jun 8, 2009
32
0
0
#2
yes it wrong for always be giving people what they want
 
S

SamIam

Guest
#3
#3
That makes no sense to buy people ciggerattes and chew for people because you love them
 
T

thefightinglamb

Guest
#4
#4
Logic: they were going to get the cigarettes and chew from somebody, as they were petitioning people for it...so I thought why shouldn't I just buy it for them??? Not good logic, but its what I thought...perhaps it makes no sense...I should have shared the gospel more devoutly...even if they did not want to hear it...so I did not know how to share it with them, but give them what they want...and try to show that I loved them...I believe I said it was bad for them in both situations...
 
whiteknite

whiteknite

Banned
#5
Jan 9, 2009
819
4
0
#5
I have always tried to do what I felt was right, that way I can sleep with a clear consience. If someone gets upset because you didn't do what they wanted they will have to get over it.
Look at it this way: If your brother wanted you to buy a CD that has explicit or offensive language on it, he might get upset with you if you don't buy it for him. Who's to say the next time he won't want you to buy someithing worse later; such as alcohol or drugs or pornography. My older brothers always made me mad when we were kids because they were unwilling to do something they knew was wrong or dangerous even though I wanted them to. They were living up to the responsibilities of being big brothers.

Later when your brother is old enough to buy them on his own, he may not because your morality rubbed off on him without him knowing it.
My brothers weren't always right in thier decisions, but they always did thier best.
Younger siblings, myself included tend to look up to thier big brothers and/or big sisters.
I don't know where or if there's any scripture that would reinforce what i'm trying to say. I just know it's best if we always strive to do the right thing.

Bless you for trying to be a good brother.
 
G

Grimaldus

Banned
#6
Mar 26, 2009
249
0
0
#6
Giving them things that you couldn't understand how anything good could come from is wrong, but if they have a legitimate arguement I would support their decision even if I personaly disagreed. With the cigs, that would be a big nono for me. They have no way to say that any good could come of it, so I would give 'em a lecture & move on. Maybe it's just because I myself enjoy it, but with explecit CD's, people have different tastes in music. If someone spoke down on me or denied me my music, I would be deeply offended. Especially b/c I never do illegal downloads or anything and go through alot to acquire it with morals, so when they question my morals when I try to DO something morally I feel like my efforts are wasted. Never really got into the Vegatarian debate, but my father is a vegatarian and does buy meat for us, I think he looks at it as a personal decision, but I'm not sure.
 
whiteknite

whiteknite

Banned
#7
Jan 9, 2009
819
4
0
#7
Once when I was about 14 or 15, I told my mother about a new album that was IT!! I mean it was the one that "everyone has and how much I needed it." So without even thinking she bought it and gave it to me when i got home from school. After listening to about 30 seconds of the first song, I concluded that album was a waste of money and promptly paid mom for it. I put it away and haven't listened to it since.
Point being: kids don't always make the right decisions, but at that age I knew good from bad/right from wrong.

And for those of you kiddies out there: Albums preceded CD's. They're made of vinyl and you can play both sides, but had to turn them over yourself. :eek:

BTW: The album was by Alice Cooper Titled Alice Cooper Goes to Hell. Yes, I should've known by the name what it would be like but that was one of the few times I gave in to peer pressure.
 
S

sweetie36

Guest
#8
#8
:DI do the same thing, I have Bought Ciggs for people but not for love I dont know why.
I let people Take Itvanage off me. I need to learn not to let people do that to me...
I need to have a stronger back bone................
 
whiteknite

whiteknite

Banned
#9
Jan 9, 2009
819
4
0
#9
sweetie36 said:
:DI do the same thing, I have Bought Ciggs for people but not for love I dont know why.
I let people Take Itvanage off me. I need to learn not to let people do that to me...
I need to have a stronger back bone................
Click to expand...
My problems always been i'm just too soft hearted. I used to fall for every sad puppy look i got.
 
M

MaggieMye

Guest
#10
#10
I have been in this predicament quite often...

My younger brother wants an explicit content cd that my mom will buy for him if I don't, but since I am with him,he asks me to buy it for him...and I do...is this wrong??? Yes, it is wrong. It makes you a participant in his sin.
Or when I was a vegetarian, I would buy meat for people though I thought it wrong to kill animals...is this wrong? No, it is not wrong because God's word tells us that the animals are for our use and that includes food. All throughout the Bible, the meat of animals is consumed by man. Simply give thanks before eating.

I am perplexed about the rightness/wrongness of buying things that go against what you believe in... more importantly, what does the Bible say about any given thing? If it's porn, it is sin. If it is cigarettes, it is sin, because it defiles the body. If it is music that does not edify or exhort man or glorify God, then it is questionable at best and sin if it is vulgar. If you refuse to my a bad thing for someone and someone else buys it, it is their sin, as well as that of the recipient. If, as a vegetarian, you buy meat for a non-vegetarian, it is not sin, because God has given us meat to eat. BUT, it also important to remember that if these people do not know Jesus, and they are not saved, it really does not matter what they do because they are still members of the kingdom of darkness.

For example, confession: I have bought cigarettes and chew for underage people like twice, I think???, though I do not support smoking at all...but I wanted them to see that I loved them by doing what they wanted done... That IS sin because it is against the laws of our country. And…BTW, buying illegal items that are detrimental to a person's health and well-being is NOT showing love. It is showing your own desire to have them see you in a favorable light.

Obviously to some extant it seems wrong, but is their cases where you do what someone else wants? Instead of what your morals suggest? Never. Why would I go against principles that go against the character of God just to please man?

SHould I not buy meat for anyone if I think it wrong to eat animals??? That is a personal decision, not a Biblical one. God's words says it is fine for us to eat meat. But for those that don't want to, that is OK too.
Maggie
 
G

Grimaldus

Banned
#11
Mar 26, 2009
249
0
0
#11
I never knew the bible had anything on swearing...
 
M

MaggieMye

Guest
#12
#12
2 Corinthians 10:10
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Colossians 3:8
But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
1 Thessalonians 2:5
For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-- God is witness—
Ephesians 5:4
and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Maggie
 
P

pogrud

Guest
#14
#14
This is related to Eric's thread about morals. Are the only morals the ones in the bible?

In general I think it's wrong for Christian's to give someone what they want if it results in a biblical sin. As I argued before, I believe there are morals outside of the bible. The lines for biblical sin, although clearer than other morals, are still blurred.

Sometimes you need to pick the lesser of two evils. For example alcohol - It's detrimental to your health, it's also illegal to buy under certain ages. If your (under-age) child asked you if they could have a beer, and you know if they don't they're likely to obtain it without your permission, what is the best response? Let them have some in your presence, or risk them getting hold of it without you. In many Mediterranean countries, the former happens. Children tend to understand to be sensible about drink. In the UK, many opt for the latter and it seems to be a factor in the binge drinking culture we have here.

I don't think you can draw a hard line. It depends on what it is that's being asked for and what the affects are. It's definitely no good always giving people whatever they ask for, especially if their reason is peer pressure.

To answer your specific choices:
Explicit CD. It's a weaker sin and hard to judge without knowing the contents. Don't forget the bible is pretty grizzly too.
Meat. Some of my family are veggie. It's not so much of an issue buying meat. You couldn't kill the animal for them though.
Cigarettes. Similar to my alcohol example. If it were my kids, maybe. Someone else, no. Although I'm against smoking, I class it as a 'loose' immoral thing to do. Although socially more tolerated, alcohol is far worse than smoking.
 
T

thefightinglamb

Guest
#15
#15
Here's another scenerio I was unsure about...

I was talking to an adult I knew as a child....and he told me how he helped his son move into a place with his girlfriend...whcih though he did not believe in it...He told me it was pointless not to try to help him move...as he was going to do it anyway...I believe I rebuked him for it...

So was THAT a sin??? If someone is walking into darkness, are you to stand away??? Or can you kindly hand them the flame that may burn them???

I still am against...on all grounds...

God bless
tony
 
M

MaggieMye

Guest
#16
#16
You correctly rebuked him. That is not sin UNLESS you did not do it in love.
Maggie
 
C

chelsers

Guest
#17
#17
This seems to go back to the common argument of our times especially in regards to young people that "they're going to do it anyway." As a Christian, you should not aid someone in sin, bottom line. In regards to buying cigarettes for someone who's underage, that's against the law and I would highly advise you against it. In regards to alcohol, my position is the same. That said, I read above that alcohol is bad for you but in moderation, especially wine, it's perfectly fine. The issue here is why you're drinking it and that it's illegal for the participant under the law.

In regards to the explicit CD, you should not buy it for him. You should state your case for why he shouldn't listen to it firmly and set an example. He may not like you for it, he may never like you for it, but that's what you should do. I've come to realize over time, recently actually, that as Christians in the world we tend to rationalize behaviors because they aren't so bad. I think we're all guilty of that. Watching different TV shows that seem tame by comparison to worldly standards but in reality aren't really good for our minds. That said, you should take the opportunity to set an example. If that means their going to go and buy cigarettes from someone else, get alcohol from someone else, listen to explicit CD's then that's unfortunate but that doesn't mean it's better because they get it from you.
 
P

pogrud

Guest
#18
#18
chelsers said:
This seems to go back to the common argument of our times especially in regards to young people that "they're going to do it anyway." As a Christian, you should not aid someone in sin, bottom line. In regards to buying cigarettes for someone who's underage, that's against the law and I would highly advise you against it. In regards to alcohol, my position is the same. ...The issue here is why you're drinking it and that it's illegal for the participant under the law.
Click to expand...
It's not black and white. In the UK anyway, it is illegal for someone under 18 to buy alcohol or cigarettes. It is however legal for anyone over 16 to smoke cigarettes in public if bought legally. For alcohol, I understand that if you're the legal guardian of the child, they can drink at public places at 16 too. There is no law covering the legal age of drinking or smoking in your private home.

chelsers said:
If that means their going to go and buy cigarettes from someone else, get alcohol from someone else, listen to explicit CD's then that's unfortunate but that doesn't mean it's better because they get it from you.
Click to expand...
So you don't think trying to instill values (such as moderation) is any better coming from a parent than say their peers? Is it not the job of the parent to try to teach such values, or is it better for them to learn through experience? I think the difference in drinking culture between the UK and Mediterranean countries indicates it does have an impact.

chelsers said:
That said, I read above that alcohol is bad for you but in moderation, especially wine, it's perfectly fine.
Click to expand...
In physiological terms it might be fine. The clouding of your judgement (which can take place after even one glass) is another reason why it may be a sin - this is the reason many other religions are against alcohol, rather than any negative affect on our bodies.
 
C

chelsers

Guest
#19
#19
pogrud said:
It's not black and white. In the UK anyway, it is illegal for someone under 18 to buy alcohol or cigarettes. It is however legal for anyone over 16 to smoke cigarettes in public if bought legally. For alcohol, I understand that if you're the legal guardian of the child, they can drink at public places at 16 too. There is no law covering the legal age of drinking or smoking in your private home.



So you don't think trying to instill values (such as moderation) is any better coming from a parent than say their peers? Is it not the job of the parent to try to teach such values, or is it better for them to learn through experience? I think the difference in drinking culture between the UK and Mediterranean countries indicates it does have an impact.



In physiological terms it might be fine. The clouding of your judgement (which can take place after even one glass) is another reason why it may be a sin - this is the reason many other religions are against alcohol, rather than any negative affect on our bodies.
Click to expand...
I understand what you're saying but I was speaking in regards to U.S. laws and I believe that's where the OP is from.

In regards to drinking in the home, I think I mentioned that. What I don't condone is buying a case of beer for a kid so they can go party. I also mentioned parents teaching moderation, so I think you misread what I wrote. In regards to alcohol, I understand the reasons why some religions don't believe in its consumption, but I'm not a part of those religions and I respectfully disagree with them.
 
C

chelsers

Guest
#20
#20
Oh I should also mention that I agree that much of Europe has a better attitude toward youth and alcohol consumption. I have no problem with teaching moderation of drinking in the home but by the parents/legal guardians and in a responsible way, not to be "the cool parent." I also think that our consumption laws in the U.S. regarding alcohol are too stringent.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.