Evangelical Christian author Randy Alcorn says,
"I get tired of being told I have to choose between conservatism’s emphasis on truth and liberalism’s emphasis on compassion. Why can’t we oppose injustice to minorities and to the unborn? Why can’t we embrace biblical stewardship of creation and the primacy of human beings over the rest of creation? Why can’t we oppose the greedy destruction of the environment by some businesses and the anti-industry excesses of New Age environmentalism?
"Why can’t we affirm the biblical right to the ownership of property (along with the command “thou shalt not steal”) and emphasize God’s call to his people to voluntarily and sacrificially share their wealth with the truly needy?
"Why can’t we uphold the truth of God’s condemnation of sexual immorality—including homosexual practices—and reach out in love and compassion to those imprisoned in this degrading lifestyle, as well as those dying from AIDS?"
Please read his thoughtful article on this topic at the link below:
Conservative, Liberal or Christian? - Resources - Eternal Perspective Ministries
Showing posts with label Greed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greed. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Why Do God's People Turn to Idols?
Throughout history, the people of God have abandoned the Lord for idols. But why? Why would people who have experienced the grace of God turn to idols?
Part of the answer can be seen in the response of the rebellious men of Judah to the prophet Jeremiah's warning to them. They told him, "As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you. But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine" (Jeremiah 44:16-18).
The ancient Jewish people refused to turn from idolatry back to the Lord, because at some point in their history, they had experienced comfort and prosperity in their idolatry. They had noticed the apparent success of their pagan neighbors. When times had become tough, they had decided to imitate their successful pagan neighbors. After all, if idolatry had worked for their neighbors, why would it not work for them?
Pragmatism, unbelief, greed, and envy combined to lead God's people away from their Savior. Unfortunately, it did not end well for them.
Since modern Christians often face a similar combination of temptations, we remain vulnerable to falling into idolatry, too.
In order to fight it successfully, we must be diligent in checking our motives, always remembering the apostle Paul's warning that "covetousness...is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). If we can avoid envy, greed, and doubt in God, we can protect ourselves against the temptations of idolatry.
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).
Part of the answer can be seen in the response of the rebellious men of Judah to the prophet Jeremiah's warning to them. They told him, "As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you. But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine" (Jeremiah 44:16-18).
The ancient Jewish people refused to turn from idolatry back to the Lord, because at some point in their history, they had experienced comfort and prosperity in their idolatry. They had noticed the apparent success of their pagan neighbors. When times had become tough, they had decided to imitate their successful pagan neighbors. After all, if idolatry had worked for their neighbors, why would it not work for them?
Pragmatism, unbelief, greed, and envy combined to lead God's people away from their Savior. Unfortunately, it did not end well for them.
Since modern Christians often face a similar combination of temptations, we remain vulnerable to falling into idolatry, too.
In order to fight it successfully, we must be diligent in checking our motives, always remembering the apostle Paul's warning that "covetousness...is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). If we can avoid envy, greed, and doubt in God, we can protect ourselves against the temptations of idolatry.
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).
Sunday, July 29, 2007
A Heart-Breaking Story of Lost Faith
"He has showed you, O man, what is good,
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8, NIV).
I debated with myself about posting a link to this story (http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-lostfaith21jul21,0,2152302.story?coll=la-tot-topstories&track=ntottext), but it's too important to overlook. It's the story of a reporter for the Los Angeles Times who lost his faith as he reported on religion. He witnessed Catholic priests who had raped children being defended by both lay members and higher clergy. He saw incredible corruption within churches. He observed the dishonesty, greed, and selfishness of TBN's prosperity preachers (and the silence of more respectable ministers who refused to speak out against those who are taking advantage of gullible viewers). In the end, the corruption within churches and ministries interfered with a young reporter's ability to connect with God. He came to some wrong conclusions about God, but after reading about his spiritual journey, I understand how he arrived there.
His story is a graphic reminder that how the people of God live has a great impact on the way that other people view him. I need to live consistently in a Christ-like manner. I do not want to make potential believers turn away from Jesus Christ.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8, NIV).
I debated with myself about posting a link to this story (http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-lostfaith21jul21,0,2152302.story?coll=la-tot-topstories&track=ntottext), but it's too important to overlook. It's the story of a reporter for the Los Angeles Times who lost his faith as he reported on religion. He witnessed Catholic priests who had raped children being defended by both lay members and higher clergy. He saw incredible corruption within churches. He observed the dishonesty, greed, and selfishness of TBN's prosperity preachers (and the silence of more respectable ministers who refused to speak out against those who are taking advantage of gullible viewers). In the end, the corruption within churches and ministries interfered with a young reporter's ability to connect with God. He came to some wrong conclusions about God, but after reading about his spiritual journey, I understand how he arrived there.
His story is a graphic reminder that how the people of God live has a great impact on the way that other people view him. I need to live consistently in a Christ-like manner. I do not want to make potential believers turn away from Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
