Religious topic about quoting scripture in the bible

[tiff211]

There is a lot going on with my family right now. DM is going through financial crisis through no fault of her own for the umpteenth time. Dsis came out of a bad marriage (divorce not final yet) and she jumped into a relationship with another guy (at least he's a good one!) and just recently Dbro came out of the closet (gotta love myspace!). We always knew, it's just official now. Anyway today my DM sent all sibling who has email (5) a very long email and I felt like I read the whole bible. She talked about how God was testing her and how he would provide for her, he always does and he had something in line for her and she would be rich and be able to take care of all of us. At the same time, she asked for money so........this is me...

So, that lead to a discussion with middle bro who is also very religious about why do people who "profess to be Christian" get so upset when the bible is brought to them. I said no one likes to "preached" at continually. If I am doing wrong according to the bible as a Christian I know it. I don't need you constantly in my ear,telling me what I am doing wrong. Anyway, any opinions on this? Are you like my brother and mom and if so why? If not, do you still consider yourself a Christian and if so why?

 

[Free4Life11]

Sorry I misread it. I don't have a problem with people using scripture to uplift others, but I don't really know how she used it. Did she use it condemn your or something??

On a side not, I do believe God meets your needs, but God's idea of what one's needs are often don't mesh with what we think our needs are. I don't believe the Christianity-based "prosperity preaching." I'm completely, 100% against it. I think it's awful and disgusting. On a slight tangent, the Prayer of Jabez was complete CRAP in my book. Sure it made people wealthy -- those who wrote the books!

 

[ead79]

I’m not sure I completely understand the situation, but I’ll tell you how I feel based on my understanding.

I see nothing wrong with your mother holding onto Scriptures to encourage her during a rough time in her life financially. I think the Bible is there to encourage us when we need it as well as to teach us.

I don’t know enough about your mother’s situation, nor could I judge her intentions, but it almost sounds like she expects God to make her wealthy. There is a big difference between God providing for our needs and wealth.

I’m not sure what I mean about being preached to. Did the email simply quote verses that have been helping your mother or did she try to tell you what to do. I believe that God uses various ways to help us see what we should do—Bible reading, prayer, Christian friends/family, etc. However, when believers speak to one another it should be done in love. If it seems preachy, I would step back and look at it. Is there something you really need to change about your life (according to the Lord, not others), or not. If not, then just ignore it and continue along your way. If God brings something to your attention, then pray about it. He’ll guide you. Others can be well-intentioned, but it can still be frustrating.

 

[Disney Doll]

I read your post and kind of got the idea that your mother is quoting the Bible as a way to manipulate you guys into giving her money. Guilting you into it, so to speak.

I have no problem with people quoting the Bible when they are sincere about it. I do have a problem when they are quoting the Bible as a means to their own end, which it sounds like your mother was doing. God wil provide...He always does. But he may not provide in the way we want. He's God, not a wizard or magician, who will wave a magic wand and get you what you want.

 

[tmt martins]

I will start with a very simple saying
The BIBLE is just a book put together for this

B asic
I nstuctions
B efore
L eaving
E arth

With that said I totally believe in GOD (raised catholic) I however don't think you have to go to church every sunday to prove it.You should go if you want but I see it as a learning place just as school was then you go in the real world to apply what you have learned.

You go back when you doubt yourself for a refresher if needed ,for spiritual events ,and special occasions.DD is in catholic school 4th Gen and 5th at our church (family very involved)DW goes as she never had religon growing up and is learning.

I just feel if you live your life in a Godly way then all will be good .People who bash are not doing so .NO MATTER WHAT you try to better people not make them feel worse.

Jesus taught by example and DIED for us, he could have but didn't KILL everyone that did not do as he said.

Thats my 2 cents on it and thats all I can afford to give now.


.

 

[tiff211]

Sorry I misread it. I don't have a problem with people using scripture to uplift others, but I don't really know how she used it. Did she use it condemn your or something??

On a side not, I do believe God meets your needs, but God's idea of what one's needs are often don't mesh with what we think our needs are. I don't believe the Christianity-based "prosperity preaching." I'm completely, 100% against it. I think it's awful and disgusting. On a slight tangent, the Prayer of Jabez was complete CRAP in my book. Sure it made people wealthy -- those who wrote the books!

Well, she called and asked for money yesterday and I told her that I couldn't give it to her but I told her all her kids were worried about her because she is always in a situation where she is getting put out of her apartment, utilties turned off, etc. I posted about it last week. That's what prompted the email, she told us not to worry and she didn't really quote scripture as much this time but just told us God would take care of her and how she knew we didn't understand why she didn't work a "normal" job but that's not what God wants for her. The next two paragraphs are a part of her email. But at the end she said if we want to "bless" her my sis has her bank acct #.

"I have no desire to lengthen my time right here by murmuring and
complaining. worrying and being fearful and fretful and irritable and
getting the opportunity to go around this mountain again. (recall the
Israelites in the wilderness that took 40 years to make what could have been
a much shorter journey because of their complaining and lack of faith).
That's one of the reasons you will always hear me say I am blessed, besides
I really am. "

Before I conclude I want to say this to you. According to my understanding
of the scripture it's really my obligation to make sure you are provided for
not the other way around so I am not of the mindset well you all are all
grown up now so it's your turn to take care of me. Quite frankly I don't
ever want any of you to ever have to assume that role. I pray and expect to
(yes even at this stage of the game, no matter what it looks like because MY
GOD IS ABLE) to amass great wealth by His grace and do what I've always
wanted to do for you, and bless you substantially."

 

[Lanshark]

I am Christian. I find comfort in the Bible. I have dear friends/family who have quoted scripture to give me comfort in a time of need. I have occasionally quoted scripture to give comfort.

I find it despicable when people use scripture to manipulate others, play on their emotions or to get something from them.

 

[jcsbama]

My mother has "preached" to me, my sisters and my dad all my life. She is absolutely the most negative person I have ever encountered. She manages to turn everything we do into a sin, especially if we don't agree on the same thing. I love my mother, but I'm having to take a break from her right now. Thank God we live an hour apart and sometimes that is too close.

She has always quoted bible scriptures in her lectures, uh "preaching". I've been raised in church. When I backslide, it's not her preaching that gets me back in church, it's conviction from the Holy Spirit. Me and my sisters are all out of church right now and my mom is livid. Let me tell you an example about my dear mother. She was never involved with anything we wanted to do growing up. We all played some time of sports as we got older and she never came to watch us, only picked us up when it was over. Any free time she had was spent cleaning the house even though we all had chores that had to be done. Forget enjoying the summers, she had those planned out in advanced. As teens, she didn't agree with any extra activities, she thought that time should be spent working and making money. Because of the way we were raised, my sisters and I have chosen a similar parenting style that is completely opposite of my mom and we are constantly criticized for it. Last week she told me that she loved her kids more that we (my sisters and I) love our kids because she believed it was her job to teach us that heaven and hell are real and she had us at church everytime the doors were opened.

Like the OP's mom, it just comes off as trying to guilt us into doing things her way. I believe God has given certain people the gift of evangelism and they can speak to people in a way that will reach people. My mom does not have that gift. Instead, it has the opposite affect, so she thinks she has to try harder. It's a neverending cycle.

I wasn't trying to hijcack the OP's thread. I just know understand what she goes through.

 

[tiff211]

My mother has "preached" to me, my sisters and my dad all my life. She is absolutely the most negative person I have ever encountered. She manages to turn everything we do into a sin, especially if we don't agree on the same thing. I love my mother, but I'm having to take a break from her right now. Thank God we live an hour apart and sometimes that is too close.

She has always quoted bible scriptures in her lectures, uh "preaching". I've been raised in church. When I backslide, it's not her preaching that gets me back in church, it's conviction from the Holy Spirit. Me and my sisters are all out of church right now and my mom is livid. Let me tell you an example about my dear mother. She was never involved with anything we wanted to do growing up. We all played some time of sports as we got older and she never came to watch us, only picked us up when it was over. Any free time she had was spent cleaning the house even though we all had chores that had to be done. Forget enjoying the summers, she had those planned out in advanced. As teens, she didn't agree with any extra activities, she thought that time should be spent working and making money. Because of the way we were raised, my sisters and I have chosen a similar parenting style that is completely opposite of my mom and we are constantly criticized for it. Last week she told me that she loved her kids more that we (my sisters and I) love our kids because she believed it was her job to teach us that heaven and hell are real and she had us at church everytime the doors were opened.

Like the OP's mom, it just comes off as trying to guilt us into doing things her way. I believe God has given certain people the gift of evangelism and they can speak to people in a way that will reach people. My mom does not have that gift. Instead, it has the opposite affect, so she thinks she has to try harder. It's a neverending cycle.

I wasn't trying to hijcack the OP's thread. I just know understand what she goes through.

You said it perfectly!!! And BTW, I do want to squeeze those cheeks!!