Infrastructure Repairs Before Health Care...

I have a black friend who's on disability because of a terrible fall he suffered over 10 years ago. He gets around in a motorized wheel chair. When I lived near him I picked him up to go to church every week and took him out to eat. I was his Sunday School teacher and when he got depressed he'd call and I always seemed to be able to pick him up. He would always ask me to pray for him over the phone.

If he needed money I'd give it to him. I went to visit him numerous times in the hospital and went to visit his mother in the hospital. I took him to buy food and other things he needed.

I now live about 750 miles away but I still keep in touch. In total, I'd say I've given him about $5,000 personally. He's one of the strongest Christians I've ever known and one of my best friends.

I preached (as a Deacon) the vespers service at two nursing homes a total of about 25 times. I taught a computer course at one. I talked a good friend of mine down from committing suicide and led him back to the faith.

I led the outreach effort at my church, sang in the choir, and served on two pulpit committees. I taught a senior adult Sunday school class. I met regularly with a guy whose marriage had gone down and whose faith was gone. We'd go down and sit on a park bench by the river or meet in a diner. i think I was instrumental in helping him get his life back together and bringing him to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

These are a few of the things I've done. You talked about your wife. What about you?

 

Alatide, I really don't think of myself as having done much good for others, although I've had a few tell me I did. I spoke of my wife because I did not want to speak of myself.

I think those things you did, especially for your handicapped friend was very good.

But Alatide, do you think you are the only one out there who cares? Do you think you are the only one helping people? You certainly come across like that in your posts. I would bet that almost every single person who frequents this forum is helping others in some way, or has at one time. But most people like to keep that to themselves. The Lord said we should do good in secret and he will reward us openly.

Matt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Alatide, you have done well. I forced you to talk about your service to your friend and other work you have done. I don't think you'll lose your reward.

I notice in your signature you quote Matthew 25:40

Matt 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Have you ever noticed that Jesus said "my brethren" in this verse? It is not talking about all people, it is speaking of fellow Christians only. Many people think this passage is speaking of charity, and it may, but I think it is speaking of spreading the gospel.

Matt 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

How do you feed the hungry? Introduce them to Jesus. He is the bread of life and the living water. Whosoever believes on him shall never hunger or thirst again.

Who is a stranger? Introduce them to Jesus and he will make them a son of God.

Who is naked? Introduce them to Jesus and he will clothe them with righteousness.

Who is sick? Introduce them to Jesus and he will heal their sin and make them whole.

Who is in prison? Introduce them to Jesus, for he is the truth and will make them free.

 

I don't at all feel as if I'm the only person here that helps people. I'm sorry if I've come across that way. I think the reason you perceive that I think that way is because so many people here believe that to support the fact that Christians love their neighbor and help them means that you support a works based salvation. Therefore, I argue that every Christian who has been born again will want to do these things.

In addition, conservatives generally argue in their own self interest. Reducing taxes and not paying for medical aid to the poor are an intrinsic part of their mantra. I believe the opposite not because I'm a liberal but because I'm a Christian. It's a whole different mind set, thinking about putting others ahead of you.

If you can convince me that conservatives on this board are against Obama's medical insurance plan for any reason other than because it will cost them money then I'm willing to listen.

 

Because the government, esp the liberal money redistributing sides, are corrupt as the day is long. They are poor stewards with our money.

Second, charities that actually do help the needy will suffer if the people who support them have less money.

 

If our government is corrupt we should overthrow it. I'm not talking about this administration. I'm talking about our form of government. That's what the Declation of Independence said:

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

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The question is what would you put in its place?

 

Not going to comment on that. Are you going to acknowledge the answers I gave ?

 

I did. You asked about a corrupt government. I answered that question.

 

Government is a poor steward of taxpayers' money regardless of who is in the government. Government should be taxing as little as possible to meet constitutional responsibilities and spend no more than it taxes.

 

..............+1
The Federal government, as it is now, is more of a problem to law-abiding citizens and causes more problems than it fixes.

 

Infrastructure Repairs Before Health Care

strange title. The Health Care system is part of the national infrastructure. I think enough money could be saved from the health care infrastructure to build an adequate infrastructure for:

shale oil recovery
hydrogen mobile system
wind power structure

etc.

 

I've said this before and I'll say it again. When you fill out your tax return, there is a space to add whatever amount you want. Please feel free to send in as much as you want. I applaud you for it.
However, if you think that I support taking money forcefully from people to achieve your agenda, come and try to take it.

 

Didn't congress authorize like a million billion dollars for "shovel ready" projects like road and bridge repairs?

Why haven't they gotten more of that done?

I understand that they have so far only spent something like 12% of the stimulus money that they had to have right away!!!!

 

Money? Jobs? The government?
Hahahahahahahahahaha.
Thanks, I needed that.
Obama will create jobs just as soon as he creates another planet.

 

I didn't ask. I stated the government was corrupt. That is not a question.

Are you going to address my point about taking money away from the people who support charities ?

 

No....
No she won't.

 

I guess not.

 

Part of being a Christian is also being the wisest steward of what God has given us.

The government ranks at or near the bottom when it comes to poor stewardship. When we choose to help others by doing things better than the government...how is that less Christlike?

No, you won't.

Many, many reasons have been given over time, and you respond with attacks, or Bush-bashes.