Friday, June 5, 2015

So Damned Rich



Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)

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    Have you ever wondered what Jesus thinks about denominations, churches, and their constituents who say they love Jesus but are too rich to tithe?

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    Have you ever wondered what Jesus thinks about denominations, churches, and their constituents who say they love Jesus while stockpiling money in bank accounts with the poor within spitting distance of their doors?

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    Have you ever wondered what Jesus thinks of clergy who enable denominations, churches, and their constituents who say they love Jesus but are too rich to tithe while stockpiling money in bank accounts with the poor within spitting distance of their doors?

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    If you're in one of 'em or are one of 'em, probably not.

    Uh, obviously not.

    I understand.

    Until I met the Jesus of the red letters rather than the reimagined one who enables denominations and churches with their clergy and constituents to keep piling up for themselves with the poor within spitting distance of their doors, I didn't think too much about it/Him.

    Since meeting the real not reimagined Jesus, not a day goes by that I don't have to confess and pray/labor to repent and...

    I've got a long way to go; but I'm better than I used to be when stuck in the high steeple and out of hearing of the cries from the poor within spitting distance of...

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    Before Tony and his son landed in Haiti, they talked about "relating" to the poor on the island.

    Tony: "If any of the children ask you for money, don't give any to them; because if you give anything to them, they will keep coming back for more."

    Son: "So?"

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    Hot Dog Johnny owned a very popular and prosperous fast food restaurant on Route 46 near the Delaware Water Gap.

    Whenever he got together with his pastor, he would recite the Ten Commandments and then boast, "I have never broken one of them."

    Finally, his pastor said/asked, "Johnny, you are a very, very, very wealthy man.  I know you know the Ten Commandments; and I trust you have not broken any of them.  But Jesus said to give away what you don't need.  What do you think about that?"

    Johnny: "Jesus could not have meant that."

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    Rich man: "Jesus, I keep the laws and traditions.  What more must I do?"

    Jesus: "Give what you don't really need to the poor; then you will have treasure in heaven.  That will prove you are a true follower of Me."

    The rich man walked away from Jesus.

    Jesus said, "It is so hard for a rich man to get into heaven."

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    Have you ever wondered...?

    It's obvious.

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Blessings and Love!

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1 comment:

DG said...

Rich is about perspective. I know a pastor who lives in a very nice two story house, valued at more than $700,000. He left on a mission trip to Africa. Having left the road, they hiked thru the jungle for a day before they foubd their destination: a grouping of mud and dung huts. Walking thru the "village" he wondered at the squalid conditions, naked kids and crude huts. At the end, there waas a small hut with a rag across the opening. The guide said "this is the place where our Chrisitan friend lives." over the openung was one half a split limb, carved with words the pastor did not understand. Before going inside he asked the guide . . . Smiling, the guide translated: "Jesus is enough"