[James Hutchins]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

I am sorry if I made that impression. It was an honest mistake.
It is not in my intention to "google my way to salvation", but rather I am trying to reach an understanding in accordance to the bible. For me, salvation comes within the understanding of the bible.

The full text of the scripture is as follows: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God".

But still, my question stands. I am hoping you could explain to me how it is in agreement to this thread. Thank you for helping me out.

You do know, God had the KJV Bible written so any person could understand it, right?
First off, if you know grammer, then you can say it like a conversation
"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples,"
This means God raised His eyes at Hie disciples. Typically thing means indignant.
"and said, "
I hope this is pretty clear
"Blessed be ye poor"
Here is saying you are fortunate to have poor people
"for yours is the kingdom of God".
Your homes are mine.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

My concern about this is the way long time members of this forum view the poor. I believe that the bible and God takes pity and even blesses the poor with His kingdom. The behavior of most of the members here are not in accordance or in the footsteps of Jesus. I have seen them post how the poor are vermin and vile beings, and that God will kill them in his own time.

I am searching for the truth and therefore, I need to know if I am in the wrong viewpoint or I have yet to find the Truth in another place.

The poor have purpose. They are here to serve thier betters just as we are here to serve God. I do not have to like the poor anymore than God has to like me.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

If you would read the Bible instead of fixating, you might of found this:

Proverbs 19:7
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

and this:

Proverbs 14:20
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

The full text of the scripture is as follows: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God".

But still, my question stands. I am hoping you could explain to me how it is in agreement to this thread. Thank you for helping me out.

I think you have a problem with simple reading comprehension.

In the Scripture you quote, Jesus is speaking specifically to His disciples.

He is not saying, "Blessed are ALL THE poor". No, He's saying, "Blessed are YOU poor".

In other words, "You, disciples, who gave up your possessions to follow me, are blessed even though you lack earthly wealth, because you will inherit the kingdom of God".

It doesn't mean, "All poor people go to Heaven"!

[James Hutchins]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

............
It doesn't mean, "All poor people go to Heaven"!

Heheheh, you had me rolling on that one, Reverend!

[Bobby-Joe]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

My concern about this is the way long time members of this forum view the poor. I believe that the bible and God takes pity and even blesses the poor with His kingdom. The behavior of most of the members here are not in accordance or in the footsteps of Jesus. I have seen them post how the poor are vermin and vile beings, and that God will kill them in his own time.

I am searching for the truth and therefore, I need to know if I am in the wrong viewpoint or I have yet to find the Truth in another place.

Friend,

Show me a poor person who hasn't died and I will accept your point.

[librarian]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

What I do understand so far, is that Jesus took pity on the poor and blessed them with the kingdom of God (specially his disciples as they were the ones that Jesus was addressing).

That qoute was from my post where I explained my beliefs in my own language, if you would have just read the next few posts I made after the initial one. And Nowhere have I sad that all poor goes to heaven.

Also, may I qoute with its correct context Proverbs 14:20-21

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: But the rich hath many friends.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth:
But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he

[James Hutchins]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

Proverbs 14:20
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

[librarian]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

Proverbs 14:20
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

Please read Proverbs 14:21 also. It is a part of the bible and it is wrong to ignore God's word just because it conflicts with your personal belief.

And let me just say, thanks for James Hutchins for pointing out this bible text for me. I am no expert so I do not know everything and his bible qoute earlier helped me find it.

[James Hutchins]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth:
But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Two messages here both plain and simple.
1)Do not despise your neighbour. This simply means you have to live next ti them. Until you can make them move, do not give them cause to harass you.
The second part is just as simple.
2)It means have mercy (feel sorry for) the poor as they are too stupid to know any better.

Again, do not 'read into it', the Bible is plain, simple and direct.

[librarian]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth:
But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Two messages here both plain and simple. Do not despise your neighbour. This simply means you have to live next ti them. Until you can make them move, do not give them cause to harass you.
The second part is just as simple. It means have mercy (feel sorry for) the poor as they are too stupid to know any better.

Analysing the meaning of mercy, at its basic definition, it means feel sorry for as you pointed out. Also, the previous texts are all in the same context therefore, it is about also about the poor. Basically, in its over simplified version, it means you must not hate the poor, instead you must take pity on them. But having pity on someone is not a shallow emotion, despite what it sounds. In order for a person to take pity on someone, he must have first empathy and sympathy. Sympathy involves concern, therefore, a person must be concerned on the welfare of the poor before he can take pity on him.

Also, examining other translations, the word used in the original Proverbs can be translated to mercy (KJV). But it does not stop to being mercyful. In other translation

ESV
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

NIV1984
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

NLT
blessed are those who help the poor.

And it goes on.

[librarian]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

1)Do not despise your neighbour. This simply means you have to live next ti them. Until you can make them move, do not give them cause to harass you.
The second part is just as simple.

An off topic point I have noticed is that "do not despise your neighbour" means in simple terms, you must not hate your neighbour. Thus, making them move out of disdain or hatred, either by indirect or direct means is a sin. Hatred is not an action but an emotion felt in the heart.
God can read all of our hearts, and so he judges accordingly.

[librarian]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

Anothe bible verse I found while reading the Proverbs 14:31,

Proverbs 14:31
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker:
But he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

This, I believe is in a complete disagreement on the emotions voiced earlier in this forum. Again, if I am mistaken, feel free to correct me.

[librarian]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

I just discovered a very good functio of biblegateway.com that allows me to search a term and show me all of verses it was mentioned on.
Here are a few I found when I researched the word "poor". Please read them all as they are instructions from GOD.

Please take note that all the texts are not in complete context as everyone can read the whole context on their own.
Exodus 23:11, Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 23:22 - As what I have mentioned earlier about the farming methids of the israelites.

Leviticus 14:21, Leviticus 14:21, Leviticus 27:8 - It shows how the poor are given consideration in serving God, showing they are all in equal footing with rich man in front of God and letting them to worship and sacrifice what they can afford.

Deuteronomy 15:7, Deuteronomy 15:11 - How the poor are given help, not just ignored.

1 Samuel 2:8 = The priveledge of the poor.

The list goes on and it would be too exhaustive to list them all. Do a search of all verses if you are interested to learn more.

[Redeemed Papist]

Re: Selfishness makes America GREAT, except for the GREEDY poor!

I think you have a problem with simple reading comprehension.

In the Scripture you quote, Jesus is speaking specifically to His disciples.

He is not saying, "Blessed are ALL THE poor". No, He's saying, "Blessed are YOU poor".

In other words, "You, disciples, who gave up your possessions to follow me, are blessed even though you lack earthly wealth, because you will inherit the kingdom of God".

It doesn't mean, "All poor people go to Heaven"!

I've just had a lesson in humility. I always assumed this was bleeding obvious and didn't need to be explained but now I realise how deluded the unsaved really are that they don't get this. I am allowing myself to get out of touch and take far too much basic intelligence for granted.