The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers since light can have no fellowship with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). Of course, Christians encounter unbelievers everywhere; thus, it is difficult to avoid the unbeliever. Unfortunately, many Christian’s take the command too literally and avoid any contact with unbelievers altogether, and in the process, fail to fulfill Jesus other command to disciple all nations (Matthew 28:19). Ultimately, Paul was talking about bad company or unequally yoked relationships such as in business or marriage instead of complete avoidance of the unbeliever.
Since Christians and unbelievers are everywhere, the likelihood that the Christian and unbeliever will work together
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The objection, in this case, might be based on the possibility of doing a disservice to God by compromising Christian principles in support of a secular based moral objective or principle concerning the poor. My argument against such an objection would be based on Proverbs 14:31. Thus, refusing to work with unbelievers in feeding the hungry and caring for the poor would be an act of oppression towards the poor on the Christian’s behalf. Furthermore, refusing to work with non-Christians in caring for the poor and feeding the hungry is not only a disservice, but an insult to our Creator. Feeding the hungry and caring for the poor is a common concern, and not only is feeding the hungry and caring for the poor the Christian thing to do, it is also the right thing to do (Deuteronomy …show more content…
A few of those situations and scenarios might involve Christians and unbelievers consorting and working together on community events, humanitarian causes, and in the arts and entertainment industry. Furthermore, Christian employers may have a need for a certain brand of skilled worker that exists outside of Christian circles. In such cases, the Christian employer may recruit unbelievers that possess the skill that is needed. Refusing to consort with unbelievers during community events, and in support of humanitarian causes may prevent the Christian believer from doing the right thing in the sight of God (Deuteronomy 6:8). In addition, refusing to consort with unbelievers during community events and in support of humanitarian causes allows the Christian to appear conceited (Romans 10:14) in the eyes of the unbeliever. Lastly, refusing to consort with an unbeliever during community events and in support of humanitarian causes may prevent the believing Christian from displaying God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10). A Christian employer may hire unbelievers to fill a specific need. Although some may object, the Christian employer who hires unbelievers may use the hiring of unbelievers as an opportunity to preach Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14) through Christian principles and practices of business.
This stereotypical point of view from nonbelievers actually has driven many away froth church and the Christian faith. A recent survey from “Relevant Magazine,” asked a group of people who identified as atheists and agnostics who all previously attended some form of a modern day christian church, why they left the church. Over 85 percent of the people surveyed blamed harsh and judgmental Christians as the primary reason they walked away from the Christian faith. The evangelism method employed by the modern church is one that can easily be misconstrued as a person judging them for who they are. Church leaders should take the prospective of the outsider into consideration for their perspective and response is the only measurement of the effectiveness of their body of Christ’s effectiveness in their
In the article “God’s Heart for the Poor,” Dr. Jay W. Richards, a famous author, claims that Christians should have both heart and mind in order to help the poor and become a true, good neighbor. He uses some Bible verses to teach the readers about the importance of being a good neighbor and uses The Piety Myth to explain how Christians should “exercise prudence” and connects this concept to the economics.
One could argue that it is okay to keep one’s earnings for themselves, and that a more meaningful and realistic way of giving to the poor is through your time. When a person donates money to a large charity, often times, only a minimum of that money actually makes it to those in need. Therefore, it probably is more of a use to those in poverty that one is of physical helps. If one was unable to physically donate time, due to distance, there are organizations where they can donate gently used clothing. This is also another more realistic way of helping to end poverty. This theory would leave society to be able to choose how much they donate, buy the expenses they wish with their own income, and donate anything they no longer
As you examine the history of America and see the countless people who have been advocates of the Christian faith, it is apparent that the lines have been blurred between standing up for what you believe in and being intolerant to the viewpoints and opinions of others. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.... ... middle of paper ... ...and that in the position I held, that my prayers more and more were to give me the wisdom to make decisions that would serve God and be pleasing to Him.”.
...ess fortunate in their time and assist with having good practices with their neighbors. As today’s Christians, we can think of one of the great commandments in the New Testament, “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. (Matthew 22:39). When we care for our neighbor and help provide for the less fortunate, we display holiness as well as show our faith to the world. Matthew 25:37-40 states, “Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, and fed thee? or thirst, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you. In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ye brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
“This sets up a two-tiered division of humanity, in which ‘God 's people’ feel superior to those who are not ‘God’s people’” (Bufe). Christians do feel there is a separation between believers and non believers. Though it is not in the way that he makes it seem. We do not feel more superior that non believers, we just want them to know the things we know. We don’t see them as anything different. There are people that are out there that will judge people this way, but as a christian we are taught that it is never our place to judge and we are also thought that “ ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these”
Throughout this time of poverty religious leaders have always advocated for helping the poor. In this time frame, there was no difference, all religious member wouldn't turn away the poor. A Catholic priest’s sermon said that if you give
Ettorre, B. (1996). Religion in the workplace: Implications for managers. Management Review. 85. (12). 15. 4. Retrieved from http://www.amanet.org/
Feed My Starving Children is an organization that is committed to feeding God’s children hungry in spirit and body, so it is a Christian
The human relationship perspective shows it is clear that nonbelievers that are together will do things that are immoral and ungodly. This is something that is likely to occur with someone that has a secular worldview. Paul writes about the dangers of turning away from God with the sins that are stated in Romans that include unnatural sex acts, perversion, depraved minds and in Romans 1:29, “They have become filled with every kid of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are filled with envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.” Christians following the biblical worldview must develop relationships together that reinforce their faith in God and that Jesus Christ is the redeemer. Romans 5: 1-2, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into his grace in which we now stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” I see the importance of developing relationships with people that have the same worldview. Developing relationships and working with others that hold the same ethic, values, and morals within the Christian community is important. Practicing my faith in Jesus with others in the Church is a practice that will enhance my relationship with
Christians wi... ... middle of paper ... ... e; for instance depending on their economic situation, or amount of free time and number of family commitments. Whether it be giving a few pounds a month to various charities, or getting directly involved in groups such as Chrisitian aid, God will honour all those who dedicate a fraction of their lives to the poverty stricken. God does not expect a million mother Teresa's, but what he does desire is that every Christian makes some sort of contribution.
Much of scripture speaks to the issues of money and taking up cause for the poor, who are among the most vulnerable in society. The Old Testament has a key theme of protecting the powerless. The powerless in biblical times were often the most financially vulnerable within society, yet God cares for them. Kyle Fedler explains that God’s favoritism seems to rest with the poor and oppressed, and to reject those members of the community, is to reject the God that so deeply loves them. Within our society we often show our favoritism not to the poor, but to the wealthy. Our society runs off of individualism. That individualism blinds us to the needs of
The churches in the world play a huge role in the determination to access of food, clean water, and shelter. No matter what religious affiliation, people will donate money to churches to help this growing problem that has arisen. This is important because churches are a good way to give those in need the supplies they need. The churches give the money raised by the offerings that people donate. This is effective because there are so many churches around the world. If most people donate a little bit of money, a substantial amount of people will be helped. The Christ House is a p...
Peter Singer said; “If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it” (Famine, Affluence, and Morality). As human beings, we have a moral compulsion to help other people, despite the verity that they may be strangers, especially when whatever type of aid we may render can in no approach have a more significant consequence on our own life.
One of the most basic teachings in the Catholic Church is to ?Love one another as I have loved you.? This can be implied towards people living in poverty as we can follow the steps that Jesus had undertaken to love other people even if they are your enemies. By showing love and compassion we can create a world that is aware of poverty issues and help the declination of poverty. Countless organisations are heavily involved in carrying missions to help ultimately eradicate poverty. These charities and organisations include CARITAS, World Vision, Oxfam, St Vincent de Paul and many other non profitable organisations which help carry out work to help those who are in need.