Moderately Ironic

I am overawed at what a bad six months you've had. You are in my prayers, daily. I'm sorry to hear about the extreme cold and the well and the... egads. :( Dreadful.

As for socialism/communism, that's the definition we got in civics class. Also, I lived in China for a year as a child, having experienced socialism at first hand. (I can't call anything with a ruling class communism, no matter what *they* call it). "Study hard, or you'll end up sweeping donkey dung off the streets in -40F weather!" Believe me, pretty it was not.

Although I'm not particularly interested in civics as a conversational topic, for purposes of our discussion, let's call wall-street capitalism "hard" capitalism (I would also call pre-union industrial revolution capitalism "hard" capitalism), whereas the system of landowners set up in OT times I'd call "agrarian capitalism". I don't think we are allowed to use fellow humans in ways we wouldn't use animals in order to make more money. "Hard" capitalism may very well be anti-Christian, I will cede that point with good cheer.

However, that said... when I read the OT, what I see is that God decreed a tithe, He decreed that you should let the gleaners through, He decreed that you should be kind and generous to the widow, the orphan, the sojourner. But there was no system of police to enforce those laws. It was in faith that you brought forth your offering - and in Malachi, there is the ONE PLACE in the Bible that we are still encouraged to test God, with our giving. When you (I/they) offer to the Lord, you are blessed in return. Much of the idea is to see, as in Matthew, who is a good steward of what they've been given and who is not. (And sorry for the confusion ... "don't work/don't eat is a NT thing given by Paul to the problem of folks living off the bounty of the church).

We also see in the NT that children are to take care of their parents, that generosity to the family is the first circle of giving (ie don't send grandma to the church for groceries, you go buy them for her). Widows should be "widows indeed", and there are many places where though it enjoins generosity and sharing, that it also puts limits on it so that generosity shouldn't be abused.

So, basically - I believe that the whole system is a man and God transaction, where our right hand shouldn't know what our left hand is doing, and I don't want the government in it. (I especially do not as the government often chooses to fund things I would rather not see my money used for).

And yes, the title refers to the irony... your essay indicates that you feel we should be forced to be generous, as we can't be trusted to be on our own, and you chided me not long ago in regards to wanting to keep the definition of marriage static. 'Tis true, none shall want in the Millenial Kingdom, and there won't be gay marriage either. Perhaps we're both trying to legislate different aspects of morality? (smiles).
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On to something completely different. :) You know how when God is trying to make a point, you come across the same thoughts again and again from different sources? (This happens to me often).

So, first I read the book CrazyLove (you can google it, the pastor did vids for half of it). The book confronted the Western Christian with the lukewarm behavior of most churchgoers and contrasted that with the amazing love that God has for us, getting very personally convicting about being crazier in our own love for our Lord. It was very heartening to me, of course it challenged me in several areas - but I got a lot out of it.

Then yesterday in sermon, my pastor went over the first half of Daniel chapter 9, and discussed contrition, repentance, and praying for mercy. He prayed the prayer of Daniel, modified for the US - as he sees the same sins of Israel pre-Babylonian captivity in our fair land. (And who does not?)

I'm feeling rather like the church (or at least the church I have contact with) is being chivvied to a plane where we realise how close we are to full-fledged Laodecia-ness, and called to repent and beg from Christ all that He has offered us. To get closer, to be more in tune with God, to be more intense in our worship and our giving, and our serving - to be more God focused. I will say that the church I go to rocks in this regard. It's not the denomination, it's the particular mix, and a good pastor.

Have you felt any of that in your own studies lately? I know you don't go to church, but is any of that flowing towards you?

Hoping (and praying) that things are better on your end,

Hearth