Main news for 21 April 2022

If these words are perceived directly, so to speak with mathematical strictness, they become impossibly difficult. Where is the selflessness here? To give in order to receive a hundred times more is simply an unimaginably successful investment of capital. In reality something completely different is here. When doubts of this kind overcome one, one recalls a certain text. The man who wrote it came to faith while awaiting the highest sentence for murder. This man had no education, and that is why the text itself is perceived simply as a miracle. He writes: yes, I accepted faith in mortal danger, when it was unknown whether I would be pardoned or not, but even in childhood, when dogs attacked in the yard or neighborhood boys threatened to beat me, I ran to my parents, so what is strange about now running to my heavenly Father? Here there is a very important distinction. Did he accept faith because in his position it was the best way out and nothing else remained to him, because it was advantageous for him to think that God exists and that immortality exists? Advantage, a clever and cold atheist will think. But if one looks at how much sincerity there is in these words, how much childlike trust. Not with the mind, no, in no case, only with the heart can one feel that here is the pure truth. And then one understands that this is not calculation, not a search for advantage, but simply, like a child with eyes squeezed shut, clinging to God as to a mother who has come to pick you up from kindergarten; and then... only then is it given.

Mat 19:29

NOTES

If these words are taken directly, so to speak with mathematical strictness, they turn out to be insurmountably difficult. Where is the selflessness here? What is disinterestedness here? To give in order to receive a hundred times more - that is simply an incredibly successful investment!..

It can be said that the young man himself "asked for" the proposal to give up his possessions, since at first he was simply told...

In the book of Judges we read the story of Gideon's calling. The Angel of the Lord comes to him when he was about to hide from the enemies, and Gideon asks how it happened that...

FAQ

I wonder: the Gospel of Luke 18:18-27 says, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" Why? Why must one be poor to enter? In general, what is the Bible's attitude toward commerce and money?

In the Gospels, the words "how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God" are also repeated in the Gospel of Mark in the form "how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God." This is an important addition that helps us understand the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing inherently bad about money in and of itself; what is bad is that we so easily become slaves to it. We begin to think about how to acquire more and more, which easily becomes a passion, a kind of obsession. And then a person lives only for themselves and their money, which is far too little for a fulfilling life. Furthermore, earning money gradually consumes all of one's time and strength, leaving none for God, for love, for people, or for anything else... Moreover, a person imperceptibly begins to focus entirely on what they can do for themselves with their wealth: I will buy this, and then another... However, you cannot take any of this to the grave. In several places, the Gospel tells us that money is good as a means to do good works, and not only for oneself. In short, having enough money to live a dignified life and to do good for others is not bad at all. But it is important that money does not become the meaning and ultimate goal of life. As a means, however, why not?

It is understandable that if one has very little money, such spiritual problems, if they arise at all, do so on a much smaller scale. We must admit that one can be destitute and yet think only about money (this is often complicated by murmuring: "I am so good, yet I have been deprived of what I deserve"). This, obviously, is no better. Happiness is not found in money (nor in its quantity), but in being generous without murmuring. Perhaps generosity is precisely the key word in defining the Christian attitude toward wealth. Generosity sanctifies the one who has money, while greed defiles even the poor.

Poverty that is not fixated on itself and its meager resources has, perhaps, one significant advantage: one can truly and firmly put their hope in God. In prosperity, this hope gives way to gratitude to God for giving you the strength and ability to earn a living. Gratitude to God ("bundled," so to speak, with generosity) also strips wealth of the taint of sin. And to be grateful in poverty is a mark of true spiritual maturity.

Undoubtedly, poverty is a heavy burden. And every hardship in life can be an opportunity for a person to draw closer to Christ, who voluntarily impoverished Himself for our sake and became a poor man.

Finally, for a Christian, any condition in life is valuable only when God Himself calls them to it. Some (and they are the majority) He calls to be poor and to bear all the burdens of life with gratitude and generosity (even with small means). To others, the Lord directly says: "sell all that you have, and follow Me." And a third group is called to earn much money, and to help the first and the second... It is crucial to find your place and to answer your specific calling. Otherwise, neither poverty nor wealth will bring any spiritual benefit.

As for commerce... The Word of God looks favorably upon any honest human endeavor that is not coupled with sin, that brings benefit to others, and that causes no harm to anyone. Thus, the circle of forbidden occupations is quite limited: banditry, prostitution... Of course, commerce, like politics, can struggle to be entirely honest (especially in certain "exotic" countries, such as ours). But difficult does not mean impossible. I have even encountered honest and believing traffic police officers (admittedly, in the remote provinces and a long time ago, but the roads there were wonderful).

${currentDateString}


	After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free.