To help with scriptural studies, I like to pose more abstract questions to myself and really dwell/meditate on them - the 'what if' kind of scenarios to help me fine tune my conscience and spiritual understanding.
It may not work for everyone, but here's one example I wanted to share:
Imagine a woman in a situation where she was homeless, without food, and had a child to feed. She has no work experience, no education, no family or connections. What would God's view of her be if she used prostitution (her apparent last resort) to pay the bills? Is this like killing in self defense? Should she put trust in God that he'll give her a morally higher ground to help her crawl out of her situation?
Now, this is an unlikely situation for me to ever deal with, but it does help me consider Gods perspective. What do you think? Do you do this? And whats your view on this question?
To help with scriptural studies, I like to pose more abstract questions to myself and really dwell/meditate on them - the 'what if' kind of scenarios to help me fine tune my conscience and spiritual understanding.
It may not work for everyone, but here's one example I wanted to share:
Imagine a woman in a situation where she was homeless, without food, and had a child to feed. She has no work experience, no education, no family or connections. What would God's view of her be if she used prostitution (her apparent last resort) to pay the bills? Is this like killing in self defense? Should she put trust in God that he'll give her a morally higher ground to help her crawl out of her situation?
Now, this is an unlikely situation for me to ever deal with, but it does help me consider Gods perspective. What do you think? Do you do this? And whats your view on this question?
COMankind,
Good question.
Yes, she should put trust in God then he will give her a morally higher ground to help her crawl out of her situation.
I think however, we should step back and consider the people living around her.
Why have they allowed her to be forced into a position where prostitution seems the only recourse?
Perhaps she is the afflicted one who is the test on those other people living around her?
Will God give them a morally higher ground so that the afflicted woman does not have to see prostitution as the only recourse.
Will those people living around that afflicted woman condemn her while they may have the resources to help her?
If so, then who really should be the ones seeking a morally higher ground?
Isaiah 58:6-9
“Is not this the fast that I choose? To loosen the fetters of wickedness, to release the bands of the yoke bar, and to send away the crushed ones free, and that YOU people should tear in two every yoke bar? 7 Is it not the dividing of your bread out to the hungry one, and that you should bring the afflicted, homeless people into [your] house? That, in case you should see someone naked, you must cover him, and that you should not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 “In that case your light would break forth just like the dawn; and speedily would recuperation spring up for you. And before you your righteousness would certainly walk; the very glory of Jehovah would be your rear guard. 9 In that case you would call, and Jehovah himself would answer; you would cry for help, and he would say, ‘Here I am!’
Perhaps the community would be condemning the afflicted woman while in Gods estimation it is the entire community itself which is being condemned.
In Christ
abe
Hi COM! I absolutely do think about things like that. For me, it's usually an exercise in sympathy and empathy - trying on their 'shoes' and seeing if I can walk in 'em. It helps me judge the intent of my own heart and shows me where I'm wrong(mostly, lol).
This particular scenario reminds me of the thief one - would God, who hates thievery, condemn a man who stole food for his starving children? I think it's a matter of written Law versus the principles behind the Law, which is LOVE, always. Laws protect the innocent - so where's the Law that prevents starvation of innocents? Oh, it's in there, but it takes others who are compelled by the Law of Love to act and give to those they see who are 'naked and hungry'.
1 Timothy 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
So impo, a woman in a dire situation as the one you present- "Should she put trust in God that he'll give her a morally higher ground to help her crawl out of her situation?" - I would say "Yes, absolutely!"
I have a dear girlfriend who, at the age of 42, has become pregnant for the first time after trying for years... what rejoicing for her and her husband - a son at last! Three months into her pregnancy, her husband suddenly died. :( A lot of people would've given up - or worse, cursed God for this unfortunate turn of events. But not her - I've learned so much about true faith from her through-out this ordeal - it has actually strengthened her trust in God and Christ - she looks to them alone and has been soooo blessed. She lays all her worries on them and doesn't try to work it out on her own - her faith is AWESOME! And guess what - she's been helped by people she doesn't even know who are led by Christ in them. This happens all the time, but it's never in the news, eh?
Even if a person does turn down a wrong path, God will forgive and help them adjust their 'GPS' and get back on the right way - IF they ask Him and truly trust Him. I think trust is the real issue - so many say they do, but don't FULLY trust God, or they expect Him to help in one way when He plans to help in other ways. They think they're trusting Him, but they go about their own plans as if they're not sure of His help - that's not faith in any sense of the word.
So I would say, absolutely yes - trust and pray and LISTEN. God opens doors and windows when others close behind us - we just have to be atuned to recognizing them!
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
PEACE >'.'<
Good reply, Abe! You type faster than me, but our posts mesh nicely. :)
In my opinion the entire world is entering a period where we will all be severely tested.
Revelation 3:10-11
Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Always a good idea to remember the golden rule no matter how severe the test.
Even if you have to die.
Revelation 2:10
Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of YOU into prison that YOU may be fully put to the test, and that YOU may have tribulation ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
In Christ
abe
We live in a dog-eat-dog world.
You gotta do, what you gotta do.
All is clean in Jesus.
COMankind its a good question.
Simply put, to be like Christ we die for her, not demand she die for what is right. That means we give her and her kids our own means of survival. Its the only way to copy Christ perfectly and is the only morally unambiguous thing to do. Failing that solution, common sense and pragmatism come into play while we acknowledge we cant judge because we are just a guilty as her, unless we follow choice number one.
Hi guys,
The hypothetical example is just that and any answers are hypothetical answers. The putative benefactor is never in possession of all the facts the questioner presents.
Sadly the majority of prostitutes do what the do to support a serious drug habit and perhaps the best we can do is see her child gets direct help by targeted charity from those that have the experience.
I once paid a train fare for a guy (something that I could ill afford at the time) from the States who came the Kingdom Hall in my town with a serious hard luck story(All his family had been killed going to a convention but he was not a witness). I took him to the rail station and paid for his ticket to the airport across country with my card cos I had very little cash. I realized when he tried to get more money out of me just before the train came I had been had and declined to give him the little cash I had!
A drunk came to a church I attended and asked for money for a meal..he was belligerent...to get him out the church I said I would take him to a takeaway and buy him a meal..he declined..he wanted the cash, I guess for booze.
One has to be circumspect...Christians are not fools.
Derek,
That story reminds me of something that happened to me a few years ago.
I was shopping in a very large outdoor mall which is situated near a major highway.
As I was about to get in my car to leave a man came up to me and said he had ran out of gas on the highway while going to pick his daughter up at her dance lesson and needed $10 to buy a gas can.
I told him to get in and I would drive him to the Canadian Tire Store to get the gas can.
He got in and I drove to the store.
He then held out his hand for the ten bucks and said he would be ok from here.
I told him I would get the gas can, go buy some gas and take him back to his car on the highway.
He swore at me, jumped out of the car, said he was fully capable of buying his own gas can, slammed the door and walked away.
I sat there stunned for a while thinking about what had just happened.
In Christ
abe
isn't it true that you have to always remember balance. My cousin lives in Las Vegas and has gotten quite bitter about the way some homeless treat others as she has been accosted in her vehicle for various reasons--and her vehicle has been accosted too I might add. It is all such a lesson in why the wisdom from above is a priceless quality--and how and why it is far more valuable than gold and silver and seek it like hidden treasure..... :heartbeat:
Beautiful sentiments Willa...it is certainly amazing when those around us stand up when they're down.
Agree Derek...its very hypothetical. But I guess that's the point for me, just a mental exercise. Can go in lots of directions.
What about the 'cast the first stone' incident (which is omitted from the NWT)
at John 8:1-11 - Jesus didn't condemn the adulteress but simply wanted her to leave her life of sin.
It's interesting that the Son of God asked a sinner (we are all sinners) to leave a life dedicated to sin. He obviously wasn't asking her to be perfect. But she certainly was not condemned for her actions. Yet she did have the law on her heart the whole time.
well what comes to mind for me is
"I want mercy and not sacrifice"
I recall asking myself this question over blood... the deeper question is if you think something is a sin or not...
Digging
Hello Jackie, how are you doing? My family and I are fine. Feel really bad for those living in Japan.
Anchor
well what comes to mind for me is
"I want mercy and not sacrifice"
I recall asking myself this question over blood... the deeper question is if you think something is a sin or not...
Digging