"Security" from a Biblical Perspective

[TheFinalWord]

This is wayyyyy cool TFW...want to add to a really awesome review, that it is important to understand where our "money" comes from in the first place:D

 

Had a better response but lost it...man I hate it when that happens!

 

Awesome! Love it! Actually, I think that line summed it up perfectly Thanks PIH If you remember it later, please type it if you get a chance! I would love to read.

 

These passages sound awfully Calvinistic.

 

haha

 

yeah, Calvinism, middle knowledge, Arminianism, all interesting concepts. All I know for sure is that if God said it, it will happen

 

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

 

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?

“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

 

This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:

I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let them foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

 

“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited,’ of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’ and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them,’ who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,’ who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’

[pureinheart]

These passages sound awfully Calvinistic.

 

Since you brought this up, and glad you did, would like to apologise for my combative attitude concerning a thread (I think you started it) about predestination.

 

With recent events (worldwide events), I've had to redirect the way I pray, as certain things have been prophecied and nothing will change the outcome.

 

Have felt bad about this for awhile now, and then finding out what you were going though (and still are), well, I just feel horrible for my behavior:(

[pureinheart]

Awesome! Love it! Actually, I think that line summed it up perfectly Thanks PIH If you remember it later, please type it if you get a chance! I would love to read.

 

 

 

haha

 

yeah, Calvinism, middle knowledge, Arminianism, all interesting concepts. All I know for sure is that if God said it, it will happen

 

Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

 

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?

“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

 

This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:

I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let them foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

 

“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited,’ of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’ and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them,’ who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,’ who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’

 

Awwww, thanks TFW:)

 

It's a story of Gods faithfulness in the midst of my faithlessness. There was a good chance due to circumstances beyond my control, finances were in great jeapordy, or could possibly be if things didnot go down perfectly.

 

When there is fear in the area of money and the possibility of not being able to pay future bills, I start saving and will not spend a dime on anything but bills. These times of financial dieting go to the extremes.

 

I had not been tithing for quite sometime, and during this possible crisis, He told me to tithe 70$ per month... was really hoping my "hearing" was off, but knew deep down it wasn't...lol

 

So squeeked my wallet open each month, and would really like to say this was "cheerful giving", but nothing could be further from the truth. He pointed out scripture after scripture, that if I did this all would be well.

 

Want to add during this time, I was getting hit unbelievably hard spiritually...Lord have mercy, nothing, absolutely nothing was going right nor was in order.

 

It would be so wonderful to say that the driver was absolute trust and faith in God and His word...nope, the driver was fear of being broke...oh and the woodshed too.

 

God did it, the unheard of and the unthinkable in two separate cases right at the last minute simultainiously (sp? don't feel like looking it up:) )...oh and the number 7 was significant in the fact that it means perfection.. and at the time was thinking maybe God said 7$ and not 70:rolleyes:...

 

God reveals Himself all of the time, even in unfaithfulness. When He says if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (is that how it goes?)...really hoping I get a real clue soon:o, that it is all His and is all of Him, our personal issues, the state of the nation/world, all of it.

Edited January 15, 2013 by pureinheart

[TheFinalWord]

Awwww, thanks TFW:)

 

It's a story of Gods faithfulness in the midst of my faithlessness. There was a good chance due to circumstances beyond my control, finances were in great jeapordy, or could possibly be if things didnot go down perfectly.

 

When there is fear in the area of money and the possibility of not being able to pay future bills, I start saving and will not spend a dime on anything but bills. These times of financial dieting go to the extremes.

 

I had not been tithing for quite sometime, and during this possible crisis, He told me to tithe 70$ per month... was really hoping my "hearing" was off, but knew deep down it wasn't...lol

 

So squeeked my wallet open each month, and would really like to say this was "cheerful giving", but nothing could be further from the truth. He pointed out scripture after scripture, that if I did this all would be well.

 

Want to add during this time, I was getting hit unbelievably hard spiritually...Lord have mercy, nothing, absolutely nothing was going right nor was in order.

 

It would be so wonderful to say that the driver was absolute trust and faith in God and His word...nope, the driver was fear of being broke...oh and the woodshed too.

 

God did it, the unheard of and the unthinkable in two separate cases right at the last minute simultainiously (sp? don't feel like looking it up:) )...oh and the number 7 was significant in the fact that it means perfection.. and at the time was thinking maybe God said 7$ and not 70:rolleyes:...

 

God reveals Himself all of the time, even in unfaithfulness. When He says if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (is that how it goes?)...really hoping I get a real clue soon:o, that it is all His and is all of Him, our personal issues, the state of the nation/world, all of it.

 

I've had similar experiences with tithing when I was completely broke, living off of canned potatoes Hey they're like $1 and fill you up My bank account was drained. I tithed my last bit. Let me tell you it wasn't cheerful when I knew that $10 would buy me a week of food.

 

Tithing is also a good way to keep greed in check.

 

Joyce Meyer Get out from Depression - YouTube

[pureinheart]

I've had similar experiences with tithing when I was completely broke, living off of canned potatoes Hey they're like $1 and fill you up My bank account was drained. I tithed my last bit. Let me tell you it wasn't cheerful when I knew that $10 would buy me a week of food.

 

Tithing is also a good way to keep greed in check.

 

Joyce Meyer Get out from Depression - YouTube

 

Speak it Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yep, it's about getting filled up! Rice, beans and pasta...AND they are also healthy foods.

 

Remembering all I had to eat was those pre fabbed taco shells and jelly, yuk. I guess you could call my living conditions at that time a "commune" type situation, all us kids (teens/early twenties) lived together. One of the parents found out we didn't have food and brought over bags and bags of food:D

 

This happened again after my ex's mother found out all my son and me had been eating was turkey and potatoes (for weeks, one turkey, one bag of potatoes) and I was VERY grateful! She brought bags and bags of food- God is so good.

 

It sounds to me like you said nothing to anyone of your situation ...the canned potatoe endeavor:D That is cool. I liked me better when I was like that, and it came natural. Remembering my mother asking if I had money and said yes- she asked to see it because she knew I was hiding. Back then didn't care, and had greater levels of faith than now.

 

When seeing the UTube video you posted, wondered if greed is not a problem with me now...and writing this lets me know greed may be a big issue here. SOOOOO, thank you again!

 

Oh wait...UTube is concerning depression, oh well, got that too!

Edited January 15, 2013 by pureinheart

[TheFinalWord]

Speak it Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yep, it's about getting filled up! Rice, beans and pasta...AND they are also healthy foods.

 

Remembering all I had to eat was those pre fabbed taco shells and jelly, yuk. I guess you could call my living conditions at that time a "commune" type situation, all us kids (teens/early twenties) lived together. One of the parents found out we didn't have food and brought over bags and bags of food:D

 

This happened again after my ex's mother found out all my son and me had been eating was turkey and potatoes (for weeks, one turkey, one bag of potatoes) and I was VERY grateful! She brought bags and bags of food- God is so good.

 

Whoa! That's awesome Yes ma'am He is!!

 

It sounds to me like you said nothing to anyone of your situation ...the canned potatoe endeavor:D That is cool. I liked me better when I was like that, and it came natural. Remembering my mother asking if I had money and said yes- she asked to see it because she knew I was hiding. Back then didn't care, and had greater levels of faith than now.

 

Well, there are times in life when God is the only one we can rely on; it's those times that really build faith. It's either "I'm going to believe this or not" haha I don't advocate keeping hard times to yourself, b/c fellowship and community are important. But there are times when it is necessary For example, if God gives me a goal sometimes it is so insurmountable it's better to just keep it between me and God, b/c others will discourage you.

 

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet come; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

 

There's no one sized fits all method as I'm sure you know with the woodshed lol It's a personal thing that you have to let the Holy Spirit guide. At the time, this verse spoke to me and I walked in it

 

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

 

I also don't have children, so that adds a whole other dynamic that I didn't have

 

When seeing the UTube video you posted, wondered if greed is not a problem with me now...and writing this lets me know greed may be a big issue here. SOOOOO, thank you again!

 

Oh wait...UTube is concerning depression, oh well, got that too!

 

Well, to me that is just a general benefit of tithing. Like prayer, it's not about changing God, but changing us. It's the "circumcision" of the wallet That video from Joyce is great. It's more about "pressing through" hard times, not depression so much. Not sure why it is titled that haha

Edited January 15, 2013 by TheFinalWord
added verse

[M30USA]

I'm convinced that life is one grand "filter" which God has designed to sift out those who truly serve him as priority number one. The world is filled with self-professed believers and endless "godspeak". But how many people truly live it out? How many people actually put God and truth above their own desires or their own family? I can list you 1000 people who WOULD disobey God to save their family. Anyone who says "family first" is telling you the truth. They literally put family above God.

[M30USA]

The world is also full of the self-righteous that love to judge others and put themselves on a pedestal of "humility".

 

Sorry, man, if you perceive it that way. I am only speaking the words of Jesus.

 

Whoever loves father or mother more than me [ie, Jesus] is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)

 

He [Jesus] replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48)

[pureinheart]

For the tither maybe; not necessarily the tithee.

 

Hey QJ, this is why it is essential to KNOW what/who you are giving to and what it is being used for. Many ministries give an account of what they bring in and where it goes.

 

Some nonprofit organisations eat up most of the money in "administration" in which only 10cents from every dollar goes to it's destination.

 

For me, I do my homework and check things out personally because I want to be wise with money.

[TheFinalWord]

For the tither maybe; not necessarily the tithee.

 

No good deed goes unpunished

 

Couple of good organizations to help with due diligence if you tithe to a ministry:

 

ministrywatch.com and Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

 

http://www.ministrywatch.com/pdf/2011shininglightministries.pdf

[TheFinalWord]

Hey QJ, this is why it is essential to KNOW what/who you are giving to and what it is being used for. Many ministries give an account of what they bring in and where it goes.

 

Some nonprofit organisations eat up most of the money in "administration" in which only 10cents from every dollar goes to it's destination.

 

For me, I do my homework and check things out personally because I want to be wise with money.

 

Oh, I agree! For a minute I thought you were talking about the government! But then I realized that they eat up way more than 10cents per dollar. Heck they spend their "tithe" before they even have it in hand! Hey if 10% is good enough for God, it should be more than enough for Uncle Sam...but what do I know

[pureinheart]

I'm convinced that life is one grand "filter" which God has designed to sift out those who truly serve him as priority number one. The world is filled with self-professed believers and endless "godspeak". But how many people truly live it out? How many people actually put God and truth above their own desires or their own family? I can list you 1000 people who WOULD disobey God to save their family. Anyone who says "family first" is telling you the truth. They literally put family above God.

 

This reminds me of the scripture, "they honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me".

 

This is a continuous test IMO. Many times God has said to me, it's either Me or that person/place/thing. When I chose the person/place/thing over God --------> woodshed.

 

The Joyce Meyer link that TFW gave in this thread really helped to ground me today in understandng. It's about submitting ourselves to the will of God. Being a strong-willed stubborn person, submission is not an easy thing. My nickname was hardhead.

 

M30, just recently have discovered that not all who call themselves Christians are. This was devastating, as I always took for granted that all who said they were, were. This revelation was sent all the way home after reading a particular teaching concerning the Last Last Days. One of the signs of the times is this type of deception.

 

It scares me, and question my own salvation, which is most likely the enemy, but God turns it to His glory because it keeps me on my toes;)

[pureinheart]

Oh, I agree! For a minute I thought you were talking about the government! But then I realized that they eat up way more than 10cents per dollar. Heck they spend their "tithe" before they even have it in hand! Hey if 10% is good enough for God, it should be more than enough for Uncle Sam...but what do I know

 

LOL, you felt my spirit because that was the first thought! Also was thinking how some ministries are ridiculed and looked upon with a microscope, yet look at the Executive Branch of this government, and not many say a word about it...

 

That is a really good point about the 10%, although I think ours and most governments think they are higher than God...hummmm, now what's that scripture, "every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus IS LORD"!

[TheFinalWord]

LOL, you felt my spirit because that was the first thought! Also was thinking how some ministries are ridiculed and looked upon with a microscope, yet look at the Executive Branch of this government, and not many say a word about it...

 

We're all "tithing" to something. We vote with our dollars. It's good to know the motivations behind our giving and to be good stewards of our resources. Yeah, words are said by us common folk, but you know the American golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules, i.e. lobbyists, special interests, etc.

 

That is a really good point about the 10%, although I think ours and most governments think they are higher than God...hummmm, now what's that scripture, "every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus IS LORD"!

 

Yes ma'am "all nations will be gathered before Him"

 

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

 

God warned about those pesky kings

 

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

[pureinheart]

Sorry, man, if you perceive it that way. I am only speaking the words of Jesus.

 

Whoever loves father or mother more than me [ie, Jesus] is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)

 

He [Jesus] replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48)

 

Wow, this one is convicting as it relates to the recent past...seems as if I was putting everything before God...it's a good conviction though, the kind that feels good!

[pureinheart]

We're all "tithing" to something. We vote with our dollars. It's good to know the motivations behind our giving and to be good stewards of our resources. Yeah, words are said by us common folk, but you know the American golden rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules, i.e. lobbyists, special interests, etc.

 

 

 

Yes ma'am "all nations will be gathered before Him"

 

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

 

God warned about those pesky kings

 

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

 

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

 

And look at the state of things today. Look at the governments that take money and don't use it to feed and educate their people as the money is/was intended to do. When saying feed and educate, I'm referring to cause them to be independant and no longer dependant...BUT if their people have independence, then they might think for themselves, which is not an option where dictatorships are concerned...sound much like where the US is heading:sick:

 

It's cool that you bring this up, because I think of this often...the people demanding to have man rule over them than God...but I most likely would have eaten the "apple" too:eek:

 

It IS the motive behind the motive as you so elequently stated in the first paragragh...and we do tithe with many other things besides money:D

[pie2]

...money complicates things on both sides of the fence IMO (rich and poor). Money shouldn't be our God.

 

I think I used to have such the wrong idea about people who are extremely poor. I used to think that a humble attitude automatically came with the struggles associated with a lack of finances. But I've come to realize that people of any walk of life can be materialistic, have a love of money, etc! No matter how much or how little we may have, if our attitude isn't right, we can all fall into the traps associated with the love of money.

[pureinheart]

I think I used to have such the wrong idea about people who are extremely poor. I used to think that a humble attitude automatically came with the struggles associated with a lack of finances. But I've come to realize that people of any walk of life can be materialistic, have a love of money, etc! No matter how much or how little we may have, if our attitude isn't right, we can all fall into the traps associated with the love of money.

 

This is quite profound Pie, as usual:) and very true!

[M30USA]

I find it interesting that, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Israel, he left the poor areas on the fringe untouched--mostly because there was nothing there he wanted and he didn't view poor people as a threat. Now I need to confirm this since it's been a while, but I'm pretty sure this poor area was the one which had the line of Jesus.

 

(I'm not sure what implications this has. I'm fully aware that there were plenty of rich people, like David and Abraham, in the line of Jesus. So any commentary is welcomed.)

Edited January 17, 2013 by M30USA

[pureinheart]

I find it interesting that, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Israel, he left the poor areas on the fringe untouched--mostly because there was nothing there he wanted and he didn't view poor people as a threat. Now I need to confirm this since it's been a while, but I'm pretty sure this poor area was the one which had the line of Jesus.

 

(I'm not sure what implications this has. I'm fully aware that there were plenty of rich people, like David and Abraham, in the line of Jesus. So any commentary is welcomed.)

 

It seems as if God kept His people under the radar. The poor for the mostpart aren't considered a threat, in any society today, in fact easier to control. Or perceived to be easier to control.

 

This is a good point M30 and will have to chew on it more.

[TheFinalWord]

I find it interesting that, when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Israel, he left the poor areas on the fringe untouched--mostly because there was nothing there he wanted and he didn't view poor people as a threat. Now I need to confirm this since it's been a while, but I'm pretty sure this poor area was the one which had the line of Jesus.

 

(I'm not sure what implications this has. I'm fully aware that there were plenty of rich people, like David and Abraham, in the line of Jesus. So any commentary is welcomed.)

 

You may be thinking of Ruth, the Moabitess, who gleaned from the edges of fields (left for the poor) where she was noticed by Boaz.

 

"According to the law, field owners must not completely harvest their field. Instead, they are to leave the remnants and what falls for the poor—which includes foreigners, orphans, and widows (Lev 19:9–10; 23:22; Deut 24:19–22)."

 

Ruth was the great-grandmother of David

 

The Genealogy of David

Now these are the generations of Perez: tPerez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 uAmminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Ruth is that it demonstrates the unseen hand of God.

 

Here's an .png from that app we have been discussing

 

http://bible.faithlife.com/books/fsbinfographics/media/path/jesse.png

[M30USA]

You may be thinking of Ruth, the Moabitess, who gleaned from the edges of fields (left for the poor) where she was noticed by Boaz.

 

"According to the law, field owners must not completely harvest their field. Instead, they are to leave the remnants and what falls for the poor—which includes foreigners, orphans, and widows (Lev 19:9–10; 23:22; Deut 24:19–22)."

 

Ruth was the great-grandmother of David

 

The Genealogy of David

Now these are the generations of Perez: tPerez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 uAmminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, 22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Ruth is that it demonstrates the unseen hand of God.

 

Here's an .png from that app we have been discussing

 

http://bible.faithlife.com/books/fsbinfographics/media/path/jesse.png

 

Yea, I remember the verse from Ruth. But there is another passage, I think in Isaiah or Jeremiah, which narrates what Nebuchadnezzar did. It even explicitly states he gave orders not to plunder the poor areas. Kudos to anyone who can hunt that verse down, lol. I know it exists. Maybe in slightly different wording.