Woman sells house that was given to her

It doesnt surprise me one bit. I have seen all kinds of people come poor-mouthing into a church only to find out they are scammers. A church needs to stick with helping members of there church only.
But what is the difference if they sold it the next day or 5 years from now?
The church I was a member of in Pa before I moved down here to Fla. used to hand any able-bodied man who came begging for money a can of paint and a paint brush. Needless to say you found out real quick how needy they really were. There were enough faithful good Christians in our church who were needy.
But the story does make ones blood boil.

 

The foolishness on display by this church is astounding. They almost deserve what they got. Amazing stupidity.

 

Woman sells house?

I read about this this morning in our local paper. I firmly detest what this woman did (it was a scam!), but also heartily disagree with what some of my fellow Baptist Board members have said.

First, Ps104_33 said "A church needs to stick with helping members of there church only." I think the intentions of the church were admirable. Jesus did, in fact, commend His church for helping the unfortunate. (Reference Matthew 25:31-45). This means for ALL people, not just the church! In fact, it is when we help others that they are most open to listen to what we have to say.

Second, hillclimber1 said "The foolishness on display by this church is astounding. They almost deserve what they got. Amazing stupidity." The article in my local paper said the church went through an extensive selection process before giving away the house. All I can determine was that the church wanted to help someone, and were scammed by an unscrupulous person. The church was NOT stupid, but loving and serving to someone "in need". Jesus will praise them for that, and therefore WE have no right to vilify them.

It seems that we, the family of God, have become very callous to hellping needy people, simply because some of them are sinners, scammers, and cheats. There, but for the grace of God, go I. And all of you! The difference? Someone told us about Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, and He called us to Him. Who will YOU tell?

Bill:godisgood:

 

AMEN AND AMEN!! :thumbs: :jesus:

 

I commend the generosity of the church, but it sounds like they didn't do their due diligence. It is also unfortunate that scammers make folks hesitant to be generous again in the future.

 

If your church has a reputation for helping ALL people like mine did, then word gets around that you will hand out money to every lazy bum who walks into the door. I am just saying that one must discriminate (in the good sense of the word)
there are alot of drunks and druggies out there who are just looking for a fix and you end up just being an enabler.

 

Well, I guess hindsight is 20/20. I can understand the church wanted to do something special for a family. But it would seem more prudent to perhaps rent them a place while they get back on their feet. You could probably house 3 or 4 families for 2 years for the money they spent.

 

People who preach that salvation is a free gift from God should re-evaluate the meanings of "free" and "gift."

Second, it is difficult for people to understand when something is given, title passes. For example, parents, when a child trashes a gift. The fault is with the giver, not the child. The child has a legal right to trash his gift.

 

I applaud the Church for their hearts as they gave in the spirit the Lord wants us to give. Not out of want or necessity but of a good heart.

Unfortunately their actions will make the Churches hearts stoney toward the next person in need.

We are getting people here claiming to be victims and the news has reported they were never in NO... It's a huge scam.

 

On the other hand Jesus said," giveand it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down and running over," Or words to that effect. I am too tired right now to paste it here.

In any case, I am on record as at least ONE man who will chastise each of you who saw the evil in this episode rather than the response to the WORDS of our Lord.

Shame on each of you. Go on and make your excuses. Try to explain that these days one has to be careful. Try to weasel out of our Lord's words any way your flesh desires. But His WORDS stand.

I take it back. I am NOT too tired to post Scripture.

Mt 5:42
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Do you see ANY wiggle room there?
How about here?
Mr 10:21
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Or here?
Lu 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Nope, no wiggle room. Shame on you folks.

 

Well, I still say that church was incredibly naive in its dealings this time, and they have reaped what they sewed.

If you want to be under the Jewish law Jim, would you mind getting the paperwork in order, before my arrival in Idaho to take possession of your local church, your home and business, should you have one? I feel needful of these things. I want these things and I see no wiggle room for you and your congregation, as it is written: As you judge, so will you be judged.

 

I agree that this couple no doubt took advantage of these good church people, but I don't really see this as a real problem.

The church gave the house away period. I don't see how they are out anything regardless of whether or not this couple stays in the house or sells it. Actually, this church is much better off getting rid of these potential members now before they cause more trouble.

Also, it seem like these will be a new family, whoever bought the house, to minister to in the neighborhood.

 

Looks like that committee who was to find "the right family" didn't.
They gave the house away, it became the property of the family to do with as they wanted. They prefered to return to their home in New Orleans. When someone gives you something it's yours, to do with as you wish. If there are strings attached then it wasn't really a gifts was it.

 

On the contrary friend;

They have NOT reaped what they have sewed, YET. As I see it, their treasure is in HEAVEN, not here on earth. Therefore, your short sightedness is very revealing.

And who said anything about Jewish law here? I showed you what Jesus SAID. You wish to pooh-pooh what the Lord of Glory said, you go right on ahead. Your obvious sarcasm notwithstanding, You are welcome to my home etc, if that is what you want. Come and get it. But before you do, I want you to realize what you will have to give account for.

First; you will have to give account for dismissing out of hand the commands of our Lord.
Second; you will have to give account for your evil comments.
Third, you will have to give account for wresting Scripture for your own fleshly ends.
Fourth; you will have to give account for what you do with the gift I give you.
Fifth; you will have to give account for every idle word you have spoken in this exchange.
Sixth; you will have to give account for accusing a brother in Christ of Judaizing when in fact he was admonishing.
And last but not least; you will have to give account for your wicked attitude concerning these peoples generosity.

In light of all this; you are welcome to anything I have. I stand ready to be judged by the Judge of the earth for whatever I have done, said, thought or imagined. Are you?

 

All I know is that God keeps the books. When we leave the bookkeeping to God about the rights and wrongs done to us, we can forgive & keep on truckin' because He'll take care of all of the issues in His time.....:godisgood:

 

Ro 12:19*Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

Ac 5:4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

The point I wish to make is that there was no wrong done. Clearly in this passage Peter is sating the FACT that disposal of private porperty is in the sole discretion of they to whom it belongs.

Why would someone post something about vengence when there is no evil done?

Christians are so full of hateful worldliness that it never ceases to amaze me.

Something good was done for someone and professing Christinas accuse the receivers of that good thing of evil intentions. My question for you naysayers is this. Since WHEN did you become God? Only God knows the hearts of people, yet you pounce as if you are some "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour".


Shame on you, again I say Shame.

 

Perhaps the saddest part is that the gospel has been confused with charity. The gospel is not about giving homes away. What this church did had nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. For 75 grand, they could have done a lot more.

 

[sarcasm]Any church who gives homes away is confusing the gospel with charity. Just like that church in Acts who was obviously confused as well with the number of homes they sold to help the poor. Too bad they didn't have Pastor Larry around to stop that nonsense.[/sarcasm]