"Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn't submit to God's Law, because it can't. People who are self-centered aren't able to please God" (Romans 8:5-8, CEB).
One of the worst insults you can assign someone is that he is selfish. Albert Schweitzer said that the only people that are happy are those who have learned to serve. Jesus said that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is the one who humbles himself the most (like a child). To be great in God's kingdom you must be willing to be the servant of all; for didn't Christ come "not to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45) Where would civilization be without selfless people who dedicated their lives to something that will outlast it, something greater than themselves--a legacy indeed! The secret of happiness is to think of Jesus first, others second and yourself last (J.O.Y.). If Christ hadn't arrived on the scene and taught selfless love for our fellow man, it is doubtless we would have orphanages, hospitals, universities, and charities as we know them. Christ changed the course of history, thinking outside the box, and turned the world upside down (even seeing women as equal to men). We could not have a civilization if everyone thought only of themselves and looked out only for good old "Number One." The old Darwinian idea of the "survival of the fittest" is non-Christian and we are not to live "each man for himself," and not be "altruistic" (a characteristic unknown to animals and sets us apart as human and in God's image).
They say that the capitalistic system works and it is based on greed; well this is an imperfect society and that is not ideal and is certainly not part of "God's economy." In heaven, we will not be primarily concerned with bottom lines, but effort and faithfulness and the blessing of God in what we do--not giving ourselves the glory. But of course, when people come up with ideas like the proposition that we need to learn to be "selfish" to get ahead and be a "success" they don't realize that this is nothing new: "There's nothing new under the sun." What amazes me is that most people don't recognize evil when confronted with it, but have itching ears that hear what they want to hear without any discernment.
Only the mature in Christ according to Hebrews 5:14 are able to discern good from evil. When we see evil we have the opportunity to take our stand and stand up for Jesus and truth and not let the devil have his wicked way in the world. Just thank God for all the sacrifices people have made before us to give us the culture and civilization we have and their selfless love and commitment to the welfare of others. In conclusion: Don't let evil be unchallenged and unanswered and remember to conquer evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:21). Soli Deo Gloria!
One of the worst insults you can assign someone is that he is selfish. Albert Schweitzer said that the only people that are happy are those who have learned to serve. Jesus said that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is the one who humbles himself the most (like a child). To be great in God's kingdom you must be willing to be the servant of all; for didn't Christ come "not to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45) Where would civilization be without selfless people who dedicated their lives to something that will outlast it, something greater than themselves--a legacy indeed! The secret of happiness is to think of Jesus first, others second and yourself last (J.O.Y.). If Christ hadn't arrived on the scene and taught selfless love for our fellow man, it is doubtless we would have orphanages, hospitals, universities, and charities as we know them. Christ changed the course of history, thinking outside the box, and turned the world upside down (even seeing women as equal to men). We could not have a civilization if everyone thought only of themselves and looked out only for good old "Number One." The old Darwinian idea of the "survival of the fittest" is non-Christian and we are not to live "each man for himself," and not be "altruistic" (a characteristic unknown to animals and sets us apart as human and in God's image).
They say that the capitalistic system works and it is based on greed; well this is an imperfect society and that is not ideal and is certainly not part of "God's economy." In heaven, we will not be primarily concerned with bottom lines, but effort and faithfulness and the blessing of God in what we do--not giving ourselves the glory. But of course, when people come up with ideas like the proposition that we need to learn to be "selfish" to get ahead and be a "success" they don't realize that this is nothing new: "There's nothing new under the sun." What amazes me is that most people don't recognize evil when confronted with it, but have itching ears that hear what they want to hear without any discernment.
Only the mature in Christ according to Hebrews 5:14 are able to discern good from evil. When we see evil we have the opportunity to take our stand and stand up for Jesus and truth and not let the devil have his wicked way in the world. Just thank God for all the sacrifices people have made before us to give us the culture and civilization we have and their selfless love and commitment to the welfare of others. In conclusion: Don't let evil be unchallenged and unanswered and remember to conquer evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:21). Soli Deo Gloria!
Amen! Very well said!
ReplyDeleteFree Market Capitalism sounds great in theory and as Randy says it is not evil in itself. The problem comes in when two things happen at the same time. One, the Capitalists decide to keep more profits for themselves and not reinvest in business, thus causing more unemployment and low wages (greed). Then, as a result, Secondly, there is less money available to purchase the goods and it becomes a stalemate as wage disparity becomes more of a problem like we are currently experiencing in our country. I think Karl was speaking of folks like Gordon Grecko, the movie character, who espoused the theory "Greed is Good" and a lot of people bought into this theory. The problem always come in when Greed becomes the primary focus..
ReplyDeletePure Capitalism is not practiced anywhere, it is only theory. You can say you are more capitalistic than the other guy, but that is the extent of it. The motive is to gain profits by exchange of goods and services and to have the right to accrue them. It is impossible in the real world to have laissez-faire or a system not regulated by the state, known usually as free enterprise. There is greed and sin in every system of government and economics.
ReplyDeleteAs far as being a righteous man, anyone who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior is righteous in God's eyes; you have to interpret proverbs for what they are--wise observations, not promises or doctrine. There are socialists who leave inheritance to their children and there are righteous capitalists who leave no inheritance. Inheritance is not an entitlements and they don't have to leave any.
We will never be happy if we live for ourselves and to accrue wealth and possessions as Solomon talked about the vanity of vanities in his search for happiness apart from God. As Christians we possess our possessions and don't let them possess us. We are all admonished to work as unto the Lord in our calling and no one has an excuse to be lazy or just think that he is being virtuous in it. The reward is inherent and we must realize that our real reward is in heaven, not on earth--this is not our home. But the Bible says that there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God in Hebrews 4:9. I cannot judge but God always gives us the rest we need if we are walking with the Lord according to Psalm 23: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..." He may land us in the hospital if necessary. God never condones overwork as a virtue in itself and there must be time for spiritual things and other priorities. If you are gifted to make money, praise and thank God for this but remember that it is the Lord God who gives you ability to make wealth (Deut. 8:17-18).
ReplyDeleteHard work is a virtue and is God-given (our righteousness is not our gift to God, but His gift to us). Neh. 4:6 and 6:3 show how Nehemiah thought work was a virtue. Selfish ambition is condemned ("Should you then seek great things for yourself. Do not seek them," acc. to Jer. 45:5). John Wesley said a Christian ought to earn as much as he can, save as much as he can, and give away as much as he can. Martin Luther taught the virtue of work itself, when it was looked upon as a curse. We must learn to do it in the name of the Lord and to His glory--not our own. Only what's done for Christ will last--all the rest is wood, hay, and stubble, no matter how sincere and hard we worked. If you are given to work, and it is given by God for our enjoyment in the image of God according to Eccl. be thankful. But "What do you have that you didn't receive?" "Who makes you to differ?" No one has the right to boast in God's presence because everything is grace and the gift of God. There is no excuse for slackness and not doing one's fair share, but there is nothing wrong with being content and not very ambitious in the eyes of the world. God sees the motive we are ambitious, the world only sees our accomplishments and deeds. Nothing done for the Lord is done in vain and our vocation is often our calling but not always--sometimes we may have a avocation instead where God uses us.
ReplyDeleteMy doctrine is held captive to the Word of God and not personal bias, as I have supported my thesis with Bible verses. Living for self is a road to self-destruction and one can never be happy that way. Love is selfless and is demonstrated in sacrifice and devotion. The only real way to joy in the Lord is to do the Lord's work in whatever calling you are in.
ReplyDeleteOne need only look at the example of Mary and Martha and Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part and it would not be taken from her, while Martha was busy "working in the kitchen." There are other kinds of work---I spend long hours preparing Bible studies and blogging is a calling of mine that is like being "on call" 24/7. You may think I don't work as hard as an employee but my labor in the Lord is different and I am accountable to Him only for my resources, time, talent, money, and relationships, and how I invest them--you cannot compare one person's calling to your's. Remember what Jesus said to Peter: "What is that to you?"
ReplyDeleteWe should choose the vocation we believe we can best serve the Lord and is suitable to our abilities and talents. There are sacrifices and drawbacks to any life choice, but usually we have to admit that we chose it and could've done otherwise. There is virtue in all work and work does not define us, but doing it well does. To be specific, if we are married and have a family our loyalties are divided compared to a single person's. But that person made that choice and must live with it.
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