Sexual relationships and Jesus

Sermon on the mountWhat did Jesus say about sexual relationships? He spoke a great deal about the Kingdom of Heaven, about money, about hypocrisy, but not much very much about sex. He said nothing about homosexuality, abortion, masturbation, birth control or pre-marital sex, though to hear some fundamentalists speak, you would have thought he majored on these subjects.

What he did say relates mainly to divorce, adultery and marital unfaithfulness. Sexual immorality was mentioned once in a list, and lust was described as adultery of the heart. His message was that ‘sexual sins’ were harmful to human relationships and were therefore subject to the higher law, “love your neighbour as yourself”.

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A Slave to money or servant of God

God or MoneyJesus and accumulating money

Jesus said some plain, serious and challenging things about the accumulation of money or wealth. He did not condemn money as such, but warned against money becoming our master, making us a slave to wealth.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

It was not the use of money he warned against, but the accumulation of money, or possessions which he called ‘treasures’.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Let us look at what this means for us in the 21st century.

  • Should we save for a rainy day?
  • Should we contribute to a pension for provision in our later years?
  • Is it legitimate to invest money in a business?
  • What if we inherit some money, what should we do with it?
  • How do we avoid the trap of serving money as our master?

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Taking seriously what Jesus actually said

Jesus teachingMany of us call ourselves Christians.  How different our Christianity would be if we all took the words of Jesus seriously. Jesus said some radical and amazing things, but they are often forgotten, sidelined, ignored or treated as being hopelessly idealistic.

I want to be a part of a new generation of Jesus followers. People who place importance on the words and life of Jesus and try to live accordingly no matter what the cost. At the age of 69, I am starting a new journey of discovery. I cannot do it on my own. Will you join me on this journey? Continue reading “Taking seriously what Jesus actually said”

Christians, non-violence and the Middle East – some random thoughts

This is a great a article so I thought you might like to read it. From my blogging friend unkleE.

Why do I care?

p1000941.jpgIt is normal for me to care for my extended family and for people in my social group. But why do I care about people I have never met?

  • Why do I care about a bonded labourer, treated as a slave in India?
  • Why do I care about a child in Africa, denied an education because his parents cannot afford to send him to school?
  • Why do I care about a young woman in Thailand, forced into prostitution by ruthless traffickers in human misery?
  • Why do I care about a single mother in England, working on a minimum wage, facing the humiliation of visiting a food bank to feed her children?

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Share your bread with the hungry

Share your bread with the hungry

Those who know me, and my background with charities, will know that I am orientated towards people giving money and using that money to meet needs. But this article is about sharing, and sharing is different from just giving money. Sharing is not necessarily better than giving money, but the emotional impact is greater. Sharing food is more personal than money and connects people together in an act of love.

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Food Poverty in Britain

Poor childrenIf you had asked me 20 years ago to write about food poverty in Britain, I would have laughed and said, “No! Food poverty only exists in Africa or India.” But now, there is so much poverty in Britain, the USA and other ‘rich’ countries.

This poverty is real. I am not talking about starvation, but about malnutrition which reduces the physical and mental potential of a child. Our politicians seem to be content with creating an underclass, earning low wages to maximise the profits of big companies.

And yet, for the economy of the UK to grow, it is in the interests of the commercial sector that everybody has enough money for their needs, and money to spend. We seem to be heading relentlessly back to the 18th and 19th Century, when the gap between rich and poor was even greater than now.
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Seafood Slavery

PrawnsIt is so easy to pop into a supermarket and buy a packet of prawns, eat a pre-cooked seafood pie, or enjoy a pawn cocktail at a favourite restaurant. Have we ever stopped to wonder, how once a luxury item, is now common-place? Have we ever wondered why the price is so low?

The hard facts are that there can be abuse of workers, injustice and slavery at every stage in the process: from the women and children who catch the baby prawns (fry), the prawn farmers, the depots, the packers, and transport to your supermarket. The cheapest prawns come from Thailand, Bangladesh and other Asian countries. This is no accident, as wages are least in these countries, and exploitation and slavery is rampant, though largely hidden.

The details that follow are horrific but do not underestimate the consumer power.
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