FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS...MORE WILL BE GIVEN.. what does this mean?????

[UnderGrace]

Your scripture verse is an entirely different context than the parable, the parable is about a moral truth.

In ancient times, a Jew was not to make a profit from another Jew, that was considered usury and against the Torah.

If you understand the times, you would also understand that shameful greedy behaviour was not so much a problem for slaves since they were already second class citizens and they had no honor.

The slave owner in this parable was looking for a profit and used his slaves to obtain it for him and was upset when the third slave actually acted honorably.

If you read this with understanding of ancient times you will see that it was the third slave who actually acted honorably

Jesus said we should lend expecting nothing in return. (Luke 6:35)

Not in Gospel terms.

And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. (John 4:37,38)

 

[UnderGrace]

Yes I understand this in the spiritual world, however this parable is about money, so it is a different context.

The Word says we reap what we sow as far as this world goes but we reap what Jesus sowed when it comes to salvation, thank you Jesus!

 

[FlSnookman7]

Yes I understand this in the spiritual world, however this parable is about money, so it is a different context.

Agreed, and the one who sowed nothing lost everything. I have found my life to be like that. When I "sow" good by reflecting God to others I reap more than I ever imagine, it's just usually different then what I thought I wanted. When I let my flesh run the show and walk in anger, conceit, depression whatever, and "sow" bad, I seem to lose whatever I had gained. The most amazing part to me is that God uses these "losses" of mine to teach me the most. I am not saying to sow bad to gain teaching, in fact if I could simply sow good all the time I would be set. I am not there yet but I also think that is the journey this life is meant for. Not sure that last part is biblical and not teaching here at all, just my 2 cents.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Your scripture verse is an entirely different context than the parable, the parable is about a moral truth.

In ancient times, a Jew was not to make a profit from another Jew, that was considered usury and against the Torah.

If you understand the times, you would also understand that shameful greedy behaviour was not so much a problem for slaves since they were already second class citizens and they had no honor.

The slave owner in this parable was looking for a profit and used his slaves to obtain it for him and was upset when the third slave actually acted honorably.

If you read this with understanding of ancient times you will see that it was the third slave who actually acted honorably

Jesus said we should lend expecting nothing in return. (Luke 6:35)

Evidently you are very confused about this parable, and have turned it on its head. Your question was properly answered with Scripture, but you seem to be unable to comprehend this parable, which is really surprising.

 

[Katy-follower]

Jesus told us what will get him to return. He returns because mankind is in the proicess of wiping all life off the earth, and for the sake of the elect, he puts an end to the great war because if he did not, nio flesh would survive (as jesus put it)

Anyone who teaches we can make this world so jesus will treturn (I have heard a few groups teach these things in differenty ways.) they need to read the word..

But as I understand it too, there's a prerequisite concerning the remnant.

 

[Justshalllivebyfaith]

Jesus chose his apostles wisely. They had something to work with. More was thus given to them. The Pharisees had nothing to work with. And what they had is taken away.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Agreed, and the one who sowed nothing lost everything. I have found my life to be like that. When I "sow" good by reflecting God to others I reap more than I ever imagine, it's just usually different then what I thought I wanted. When I let my flesh run the show and walk in anger, conceit, depression whatever, and "sow" bad, I seem to lose whatever I had gained. The most amazing part to me is that God uses these "losses" of mine to teach me the most. I am not saying to sow bad to gain teaching, in fact if I could simply sow good all the time I would be set. I am not there yet but I also think that is the journey this life is meant for. Not sure that last part is biblical and not teaching here at all, just my 2 cents.

Uh...its pretty biblical.

 

[MattforJesus]

Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This is a spiritual matter.

Use it or lose it.

God gives gifts to people according to how they can handle it,but we have to use those gifts to benefit the kingdom of God,and if not we will lose those gifts.

How many people started out gung ho in living for the Lord and then became lukewarm later in life as they stopped laboring for the kingdom of God like they used to labor.

The Bible says whatever your hand finds to do,do it with all your might,for there is no laziness in the kingdom of God.

And most people that claim Christ go to Church and that is about it,if they go to Church,and do not labor for the kingdom of God.

Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

If a person gets lazy down the road they will start to forget what they learned for they do not care about laboring for the kingdom of God,but they confess Christ,and then they want to enjoy the world and its ways.

We have to labor for the kingdom of God for its profit,and if not we are an unprofitable servant and in no position for salvation.

It does not have anything to do with money,and material gain,for our wants,for Paul said if anybody preaches that God blesses with our wants withdraw yourself from them having food and clothing be content,and that is why the love of money,or wanting money above your needs,is the root of all evil,for it neglects the poor and needy,which is what it is all about,for love is the fulfilling of the law,and the 2 greatest commandments are love God,and love people,and that includes helping the poor and needy instead of going by your wants.

Jesus said if you do not care about the poor and needy you did it unto Him,for He was in the flesh,and would you care about Jesus being fed and clothed.

Maybe that is why the business owners,and people in general,will try to bleed people of their money with the attitude get all you can get and forget about everybody else,for you do not care about me if I am hungry and not clothed,so I do not care about you,and America has fallen victim to that by the way they operate.

It does not matter if I make 10 million dollars a year,or 50 thousand dollars a year,my lifestyle is the same,for I can only go by my needs,and not my wants,and help the poor and needy.

And it is not worth it to heap money to myself so I can have my wants,and brag and boast,look at me for I am special,for eternal life is greater than that,which like the rich man many people will not let go of their wants,and if a rich man was the only person on earth they would not care how much they had for there is no one to exalt themselves above and think they are better,for the world is motivated by selfishness and arrogance,and that to a bragging extent.

But with the belief some people have where they believe they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,this will happen the heaping of money,and material things,for they believe they are right with God whether they believe it is a sin or not.

Which God said that they say they are rich,and increased in goods,and have need of nothing,but do not realize that they are wretched,and poor,and naked,and maimed,and blind.

Anybody that holds unto going by their wants no matter how much money is involved falls victim to the love of money is the root of all evil,and Paul says concerning the saints they have erred from the faith.

And Paul said he could have all faith so that he could remove mountains,but if he did not have charity then he is nothing,and if people do not have charity they have erred from the faith,and James said if they do not have charity then their faith is dead,and John said if they do not have charity the love of God does not dwell in them,so do not love in word only but in deed and in truth.

And charity,love in action,is greater than faith.

But they will heap money and material things to themselves,and say God blesses us with that,or say they cannot abstain from sin,and sin does not affect their relationship with God,but how do they escape that the Bible says they are not right with God.

Who are these people that will say you do not have to obey Christ for salvation,but Jesus said if you do not obey Him you do not love Him,and will there be people in heaven that do not love Jesus,and cast down all imaginations that exalt them above the knowledge of God,and bring in to captivity all thoughts to the obedience of Christ,so when you can revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Matthew 25 is a parable revealing the spiritual of a believer's life in relationship of how they labor for the kingdom of God to be a profitable servant.

2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Like television evangelists,and the people that follow their prosperity Gospel.

 

[joaniemarie]

Agreed, and the one who sowed nothing lost everything. I have found my life to be like that. When I "sow" good by reflecting God to others I reap more than I ever imagine, it's just usually different then what I thought I wanted. When I let my flesh run the show and walk in anger, conceit, depression whatever, and "sow" bad, I seem to lose whatever I had gained. The most amazing part to me is that God uses these "losses" of mine to teach me the most. I am not saying to sow bad to gain teaching, in fact if I could simply sow good all the time I would be set. I am not there yet but I also think that is the journey this life is meant for. Not sure that last part is biblical and not teaching here at all, just my 2 cents.

I've discovered this too Flsnook, It's such a waste of time to live in the flesh giving over to such things as anger and annoyance, bitterness and impatience and all that comes from the old manner of life. But when I began learning how to walk in the new creation that Jesus made me., things began to change.

I never could really tell the differences between the two (flesh/spirit) because just when you think you're walking "spiritually" you find it's actually been taken over by pride which is a major flesh attribute.

Because Jesus provided grace for our every day lives., there is no condemnation for us who are born again. So even when we slip up and get off the path by reason of being lead by the deceitfulness of the flesh., we can get right back in the spirit and walk accordingly. It's a manner of learning.

Gal.5:16 [SUP]16 [/SUP]But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

I used to think to walk and live in and controlled by the Spirit was sort of like a hit and miss during the day and that no one really can walk habitually in the Spirit. But I've discovered it's a practiced choice we each can make every day. That's why our minds are called to be renewed in the Spirit of our minds. Our new man needs to be walked out.


Eph.4:20-25
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
[SUP]
23 [/SUP]And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
[SUP]
24 [/SUP]And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
[SUP]
25 [/SUP]Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.

 

[joaniemarie]

Here's an example about choosing to put on the new man..... While I was typing this out to you Flsnook, the computer lagged again and would not post. My computer froze. It was sooo annoying. I could feel my annoyance and then remembered.... hey... so what!

This anger and annoyance with the computer comes from my flesh not my spirit. I could feel how apposed my feelings of anger were to the peace I just had and was reminded again how the things of the flesh are apposed to the things of the Spirit. I was able to again make that choice where I was going to walk. The peace came right back.

So I got the FIXMESTICK and it did a complete scanning as I should have had it do last night. THANK YOU JESUS for the FIXMESTICK that scans this laptop and has saved me having to depend on the computer guy! Thank You God again for making me self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency in all matters even this computer!!

We are free to make thousands of choice like that all day because Jesus has made us free. We can turn from the flesh's reactions to the new man created in Christ. I got so much done while the 2hr computer scan went on. I also wanted to post the verses that show the difference between the desires of the flesh or the desires of the Spirit in Gal.5:13-28


[SUP]13 [/SUP]For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for [SUP][b][/SUP]selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
[SUP]
14 [/SUP]For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is [SUP][c][/SUP]complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
[SUP]
15 [/SUP]But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
[SUP]
16 [/SUP]But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
[SUP]
17 [/SUP]For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
[SUP]
18 [/SUP]But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
[SUP]
19 [/SUP]Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
[SUP]
20 [/SUP]Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
[SUP]
21 [/SUP]Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
[SUP]
22 [/SUP]But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
[SUP]
23 [/SUP]Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[SUP][d][/SUP]that can bring a charge].
[SUP]
24 [/SUP]And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
[SUP]
25 [/SUP]If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [SUP][e][/SUP]we have our life in God, let us go forward [SUP][f][/SUP]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
[SUP]
26 [/SUP]Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

 

[joaniemarie]

Hey Matt., I read your post and while I agree that the 'love' of money is the root of evil I do not believe having money is evil
It's about what we do with the gifts God has blessed us with. And no one has the right (although many take it as a right) to look at another Christian and judge them for the amount of money they have and what they are doing with it.

I learned some time ago that it's not my business to tell another believer how they should believe or how they should live their lives or spend their money. What kind of car they should drive or house they should live in or cloths they should wear.

Blatant sin is one thing that is obvious but there are other things that we are not privy to in regards to people's personal lives in such things as finances. We don't know what the rich Christian is doing with all the blessings God has given them. We see only a small portion of that person's life from our limited vision.

We don't know private details. We only know what we can see and often times that is not enough to make any kind of proper righteous judgment against them. The same with poor people or middle class people. There are stingy poor people too. Money is a weird thing. We can't judge people for the lack of it or the abundance of it.

I'm always being accused on my threads of following a prosperity gospel and I don't. That accusation is hogwash I don't believe there is such a thing as a prosperity gospel. But I do know when I allow Jesus to meet my daily needs He is always generous and always give me things above what I could have asked. God has given us His Son.,, how much more will he give us these other minor things we need. So I've learned He is where to go for all things including getting all my bills paid and keeping a roof over my head and wheels under me on the road.

When I struggled for those things and worried and fretted I always went without. But when I trusted Jesus to supply., He always has so I am confident He supplies in every way. I would not judge anyone for being hugely blessed. I'd say wow Jesus is sooo good and sooo kind and soooo gracious.


And that actually goes back to the OP of this thread.

 

[MattforJesus]

Money itself is not evil for we need money for food,and clothing,our needs,for the world will not provide for us for free,and it is a sinful world so they are selfish and arrogant.

The love of money is the root of all evil because it neglects the poor and needy,and people who go by their wants that is not a necessity is neglecting the poor and needy,and God loves people,not blessing people with their wants,and only blesses with their needs.

The Bible says that some people pray amiss for they pray for their wants to heap it upon their lusts.

We are to only go by our needs,and if we go above that enjoying our wants that has nothing to do with our needs,then we fall victim to the love of money is the root of all evil for we are neglecting the poor and needy.

For what is more important our wants that has nothing to do with sustaining our life,or people that they are feed and clothed,which God will say people is more important.

Then the Bible says the saints appear poor to the world,and the preacher is not to be in the ministry for the money,and the early Church had all things common,and shared everything,and sold all their possessions that were not a necessity,such as land,and extra houses they owned,and they distributed to the saints as every person had need,and if anyone teaches that God blesses with money and material things for their wants then withdraw yourselves from them,having food and clothing be content.

Creation testifies there is a God,and of His attributes,which one of them is love,for He provided food,and the means to make clothing,and shelter,so the world is without excuse if they do not believe in a higher power,and that He wants us to love people,and is the universal law that covers the whole history of mankind whether they know of the Bible or not,and is the 2 greatest laws in the Bible,love God,and love people,which includes helping them with their needs,which love is the fulfilling of the law then they love God.

Money is not evil for in a sinful world that is how it has to operate for they are motivated by selfishness and arrogance,so their attitude basically is fend for yourself,and I will exalt myself above you with the things I possess,but the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy,for they care about their wants,and lusts that is not a necessity more than people.

And it does not matter the amount of money for anybody that holds unto caring about their wants and thinks it is alright falls victim to the love of money is the root of all evil.

The truth is in a caring and loving world where people actually care and love people,nothing wavering,there is no need for money,and everybody would tend to people being fed and clothed,and labor equally to make this happen.

But it is a sinful world so money is needed,but God said not for your wants for He loves people.

I know some people will not listen because they want to enjoy those things,and people believe what they want to believe,and if they like the occult,that is what the Bible is about,if they like alcohol,and weed,it is alright to drink alcohol,and smoke weed,and if they like money and material things for their wants,then it is alright for them to enjoy those things.

 

[joaniemarie]

Well Matt., I can understand what you saying and why too. I had much the same opinion too and I was a crab because it made me always compare what others had or didn't have in relation to me. It made me judge myself and others according to my own understanding. Making what was a blessing a real curse.

I don't agree that we only are given what we need. I have much more than I need and it's blessed by God 100% because He is the one who blessed me with it. God is gracious and generous. My own children I always want to give to because it's a parents desire to look out for the good of their kids. God is much better than we earthly parents.

Jesus said in John 10:10 [SUP]10 [/SUP]The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [SUP][a][/SUP]overflows).

I look at Adam and Eve before the fall and God gave them the whole earth with tons of fruits and such that were not even used. To our human minds that seems like such a waste. God does things for His own pleasure. And it pleases Him to bless His children because of Jesus. I believe we are blessed to be a blessing. We are to be like a flowing stream so that what we are blessed with we give it away and it blessings others and God can trust us with His blessings that we will allow them to flow out of our lives. The stream never gets stagnant. It's also a picture of the HolySpirit.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

This is a difficult subject...when I was furiously trying to change my situation and pull myself up out of the poverty I'd fallen into, I didn't get even one inch in about 6 years. In fact, I became even poorer.

I knew God through all that time. I met Him WHILE I had some financial "security" and then I suddenly didn't have financial security.

One day, after I couldn't even get hired by even the dollar store or a fastfood place anywhere for three towns in either direction, I really let loose. I don't remember everything I said to Him. But I do remember that I said, I believe You that You won't let me starve to death. I believe that You will not make me live on the street. But Paul said if a man won't work you shouldn't feed him, and I am trying to find work and can't and it has now become apparent to me that it is impossible to apply for every job out there and not find one, so it's your hand doing this. So I ask you, where is the work You will give me to do with my hands?

My situation immediately began to turn around. Immediately.

I know it is because I stopped trying to change my situation and trusted Him to do it. And someone might say, that's ridiculous, God doesn't make someone go from financially secure to financially broke, that's satans work. But it was God and it was to get me to stop depending on me for what I need and depend on Him.

Still not rich. Still have to be extremely frugal. But I can buy food now.

 

[Lewiz]

Jesus said that some people wouldn't understand His parables and why.

They are spiritually discerned.

 

[7seasrekeyed]

Money is not evil for in a sinful world that is how it has to operate for they are motivated by selfishness and arrogance,so their attitude basically is fend for yourself,and I will exalt myself above you with the things I possess,but the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy,for they care about their wants,and lusts that is not a necessity more than people.

And it does not matter the amount of money for anybody that holds unto caring about their wants and thinks it is alright falls victim to the love of money is the root of all evil.

The truth is in a caring and loving world where people actually care and love people,nothing wavering,there is no need for money,and everybody would tend to people being fed and clothed,and labor equally to make this happen.

But it is a sinful world so money is needed,but God said not for your wants for He loves people.

I know some people will not listen because they want to enjoy those things,and people believe what they want to believe,and if they like the occult,that is what the Bible is about,if they like alcohol,and weed,it is alright to drink alcohol,and smoke weed,and if they like money and material things for their wants,then it is alright for them to enjoy those things.

whaaa?

please consider what you wrote

God blessed certain people in the Bible with VAST riches and never told them to give it all away to the poor...in fact Jesus said the poor will always be around (not in heaven I am sure because that changes everything)

even Ananias and Sapphira could have kept ALL their do ray me as Peter said to them. their sin was lying about how much money they were giving...Peter told them they could have kept all of it but because they lied to the Holy Spirit...well...kaput

people can live in a commune if they want to (60's hold overs I guess but not sinfully) or they can buy a house...car...food...but they are supposed to work for it

we have a system that allows people to sponge off of others...the government uses tax payer dollars of which I have always been one...never mind, I won't go there or it will turn into a rant..

read the OT...the Israelite all had land allotted to them and it was basically up to them how they managed it...they were to give one tenth of their firstfruits to God...btw, that does not hold over the NT but no prob if someone wants to still do it or even give more or less...between them and God

I know some people will not listen because they want to enjoy those things,and people believe what they want to believe,and if they like the occult,that is what the Bible is about,if they like alcohol,and weed,it is alright to drink alcohol,and smoke weed,and if they like money and material things for their wants,then it is alright for them to enjoy those things.

some people will not follow what you say...not because they are godless or not really saved or selfish...but because we do not have that injunction from scripture

I don't want to talk about my giving practices because we are not supposed to do that

we are not under obligation to provide for those who will not work or spend whatever they do get on liqueur, cigarettes and similar

I don't even know why you would mention smoking weed or the other things you said...you have the wrong audience!!!

 

[Depleted]

This is a difficult subject...when I was furiously trying to change my situation and pull myself up out of the poverty I'd fallen into, I didn't get even one inch in about 6 years. In fact, I became even poorer.

I knew God through all that time. I met Him WHILE I had some financial "security" and then I suddenly didn't have financial security.

One day, after I couldn't even get hired by even the dollar store or a fastfood place anywhere for three towns in either direction, I really let loose. I don't remember everything I said to Him. But I do remember that I said, I believe You that You won't let me starve to death. I believe that You will not make me live on the street. But Paul said if a man won't work you shouldn't feed him, and I am trying to find work and can't and it has now become apparent to me that it is impossible to apply for every job out there and not find one, so it's your hand doing this. So I ask you, where is the work You will give me to do with my hands?

My situation immediately began to turn around. Immediately.

I know it is because I stopped trying to change my situation and trusted Him to do it. And someone might say, that's ridiculous, God doesn't make someone go from financially secure to financially broke, that's satans work. But it was God and it was to get me to stop depending on me for what I need and depend on Him.

Still not rich. Still have to be extremely frugal. But I can buy food now.

Your story plus one.

We were comfortably middle-classed. He worked. I was trying out the "housewife thing." He broke his back (could still walk), and poof! There went middle-class.

In all that we still had a place to live and food, but stuff like heat and sleep became optional.

Four years later, and we were back to middle-class. (Oh, gave up on "the housewife thing" a month before he broke his back, but I just had part-time work as a substitute teacher. Four years later, we both got back to "good job.")

Fast forward 16 years later, and I became disabled, so couldn't even ask for a job. (I was working at home when I became disabled.) And BRAC took his job away at the same time, but was kind enough to teach him a new skill. Three years later, he was sick and treatment plus ignoring the total man behind the sickness left him disabled too.

Got mad at God and told him it was unfair that two people should both become disabled. What were we supposed to do to live?

Well, what we were supposed to do was trust him. Sooo, we came in on the no-choice plan. lol

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I got the no choice plan too. Very glad for it now though.

 

[joaniemarie]

This is a difficult subject...when I was furiously trying to change my situation and pull myself up out of the poverty I'd fallen into, I didn't get even one inch in about 6 years. In fact, I became even poorer.

I knew God through all that time. I met Him WHILE I had some financial "security" and then I suddenly didn't have financial security.

One day, after I couldn't even get hired by even the dollar store or a fastfood place anywhere for three towns in either direction, I really let loose. I don't remember everything I said to Him. But I do remember that I said, I believe You that You won't let me starve to death. I believe that You will not make me live on the street. But Paul said if a man won't work you shouldn't feed him, and I am trying to find work and can't and it has now become apparent to me that it is impossible to apply for every job out there and not find one, so it's your hand doing this. So I ask you, where is the work You will give me to do with my hands?

My situation immediately began to turn around. Immediately.

I know it is because I stopped trying to change my situation and trusted Him to do it. And someone might say, that's ridiculous, God doesn't make someone go from financially secure to financially broke, that's satans work. But it was God and it was to get me to stop depending on me for what I need and depend on Him.

Still not rich. Still have to be extremely frugal. But I can buy food now.

Hi Stunned., That's not ridiculous at all!! PRAISE THE LORD JESUS!!!

I went through a similar situation once being financially secure most of my life and then due to some bad choices and the end of a long marriage I was soon without any resources as well as no friends or family.

I tried just about everything and everyone for security and no matter how much I tried., it kept passing me by. Just like trying to nail jello to the wall. What used to work didn't work anymore. My independence turned in on itself and collapsed.

I felt just like the slave in one of those Bible movies. Not only like a slave but that ultimately no one even wanted to buy me or cared if I lived or died. So low in life having faced so much loss.

There was a time I didn't even have a plastic bag to throw garbage out with. A few Walmart bags was a major find. I tried to live life by my wits and human smarts and failed like never before at the age of 50. But then one night while driving my old 1989 car to the store at 2:00 a.m. for milk with my welfare card I was stopped by a policeman for out of state plates.

I had been learning about those who have Jesus have the favor of God. I reallllly needed to see some favor because I had no money to change plates that I'd driven around with for over a year. My car was not up to date and was stalling so I only went out at night for that reason once or 2xs a month. living one day at a time with much worry.

For some reason the young policeman was kind and gentle to me and instead of throwing the book and even arresting me., he said he was concerned for me driving around at this time of night. He said some other very kind things that totally shocked me because I was like that HeeHaw song.... "If it wern't for baaad luck I'd have no luck at allll ... gllllooom deeespaair and agony on meee."

After the policeman left and gave me some advice and help I knew this was God showing me favor. Was that policeman an angel??? I think maybe. God showed me that He really was loving me and would take care of me and all I had to do was keep trusting Him from now on. That stop could have gone totally the other way as those times often did. If there was a chance I could get into trouble it always went toward the trouble.

After that the Holy Spirit lead in many ways to many different places. A local organization helped me and I got hooked up with all the right places in the community and met amazing people. A lot has happened since then all because of Jesus.

Today I own a little house in the country., have another car that works., have a job., He even gave me THEE best Dog., the breed that I'd always had but this dog was better than any previously owned. He does give us the desires of our hearts.

And also have been learning to keep believing He loves me not based on my good works but for Jesus sake. There are days I'm tempted to forget because we live in flesh and bone bodies and have to make that daily choice to believe He always will provide.

I learned that the Holy Spirit deals with us one on One. I don't look at others and what they have or don't have. I've learned that my business is to keep looking to Jesus to see God. And lean on the Holy Spirit to point me to Jesus each and every time I'm tempted not to. And to walk in the new man who was made after Jesus. Sooo much more to learn but He will never leave us or forsake us because and for Jesus sake.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

So He stripped you of everything temporal to grow your trust, to get you to that place of trust, which is your most precious possession.

Physical health is a temporal thing. I know you don't believe He would ever strip anyone of health to get them to that place of trust, but many have testimony that this is true because they have lived it. I don't bring it up to argue but to try to get you to not discount the testimony of many just because it has not been the way He took you.