Beliefs

[rtt7]

Now, what is wrong with greed? Is it not what drives all humans? I use greed as much as any other person to decide what is best for me. And what is best for another person (assuming that they too feel greed).

Paul adresses this in another passage, Colossians 3:5. "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (emphasis added)." Here Paul is saying that the whole thought process behind greed is wrong. When you are greedy, you put yourself before others, including God. Therefore, greed has no place in the Christian's attitude. Of course we will struggle with it, for greed is something that has entered every aspect of our culture. Once again, Christians aren't perfect--only forgiven.

[The_Q]

It still doesn't tell me why. I do like to have reasoning. I also never said I was greedy, I said I relied upon greed to guide me in to correct way. I use it to figure out how I can help someone else, how I can make the best things for someone for the least cost (and least profit sometimes).

Thanks again. If it weren't for you, I'd never had known this stuff.

Q

[rtt7]

I relied upon greed to guide me in to correct way.

Excuse the selective quotation, but I think this is the pith of the subject. In Christianity, the goal is to have a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If that has been acheived and a Christian is walking with him daily, then they can rely on the direct guidence of the Triune God. Obviously, there are going to be times when acting with the motivation of greed will cause you to act in a way that may be morally correct, but "Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (New International Version, 1 Sa 16:23)." Therefore, motives that come from the self and not from the Creator are less desirable than motives and guidence that comes from God.

[The_Q]

Whoa...ok, thanks. I still don't have enough to change me, because I honestly feel like I'm doing the right thing. I am questioning myself though. Thanks, big time.

Q

[rtt7]

Whoa...ok, thanks. I still don't have enough to change me, because I honestly feel like I'm doing the right thing. I am questioning myself though. Thanks, big time.

Q

No problem. Thanks for forcing me to look it up : )

[The_Q]

Anytime. I just want to know, what denomination are you? And are you allowed to interpret what the Bible says?

Q

[rtt7]

The first question is easy:
I am a Regular Baptist.

The second is a touch more difficult:
I am allowed to interpret scripture because I have the Holy Spirit living within me. However, there is a caution. Many people pervert a "freedom of interpretation" into the defense of positions that simply are not biblical. So, I guess the answer to your question is yes, but only with great care.

[The_Q]

My friend, you have excelled incredibly in the short time you've been here. I think I have more respect for you than I do anyone else in the entire forum.

You have brought me back into what I'd consider the heart of worship. Thanks.

Q

[Layladay]

oh yeh, from my last point, to prove it:
Thus saith the lord, in this thou shalt know that i AM the lord: Behold, I will smite with the rod that IS in mine hand upon the waters which ARE in the river, and they shall be turned to blood