Dear Victorious,
Is there anything in the Bible that says a worker should be treated fairly by an employer?
Todd K. - Falcon Heights, MN
Dear Todd,
There are quite a number of verses that could be applied to this scenario. An example might be the golden rule (Matthew 7:12). Beyond this, I can think of a few verses that more specifically address the issue of being paid a fair wage.
Luke 10:7 "... the worker deserves his wages ..."
Romans 13:7 "Give everyone what you owe him ... "
James 5:4 "... The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. ..."
It's clear that God's people are expected to treat their employees fairly, and to pay them a living wage.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Ministry Calling
Dear Victorious,
I'm in high school and am thinking about becoming a preacher as my lifetime profession. My grades are good enough to get me into most any Bible college or seminary. But what are some signs that this would be the right choice? I mean, how do you know if you're really being "called" by God to ministry as a profession?
Robert E. Rio Rancho, NM
Dear Robert,
Discerning a calling from God is a serious matter. There are two things I would specifically look for if I were you. The first is that you can't imagine yourself doing anything else. (It's been said that one should never go into ministry as a profession unless he or she can not do anything else!) The second thing is that people who are considerably more spiritually mature than you are agree that you are anointed by God and called for this purpose. They will have prayed about the matter with you, and affirmed it for you.
When God is doing something, like calling someone to ministry, He never ever keeps it a secret. Expect other mature believers to affirm whatever you think God may be telling you.
I'm in high school and am thinking about becoming a preacher as my lifetime profession. My grades are good enough to get me into most any Bible college or seminary. But what are some signs that this would be the right choice? I mean, how do you know if you're really being "called" by God to ministry as a profession?
Robert E. Rio Rancho, NM
Dear Robert,
Discerning a calling from God is a serious matter. There are two things I would specifically look for if I were you. The first is that you can't imagine yourself doing anything else. (It's been said that one should never go into ministry as a profession unless he or she can not do anything else!) The second thing is that people who are considerably more spiritually mature than you are agree that you are anointed by God and called for this purpose. They will have prayed about the matter with you, and affirmed it for you.
When God is doing something, like calling someone to ministry, He never ever keeps it a secret. Expect other mature believers to affirm whatever you think God may be telling you.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Still Sinning
Dear Victorious,
I've been a Christian for several years now. The problem is that I continue to sin. I know everyone's a sinner. But I honestly expected that becoming a Christian would change that. How can I know if my level of sin is within an acceptable range (if there is such a thing) for a Christian? I mean at what point does one's sin overtake one's being a Christian?
Orlando M. - Mexia, TX
Dear Orlando,
It sounds as if you have some belief issues. It's not clear to me whether there are truths that you're not believing, or whether there are lies that you are believing. But let's look at God's truth on the subject. Anytime we have a dilemma on our hands, it is helpful to look for what God might have to say about the subject.
When you become a Christian, you are defined on the cross by Jesus. He makes you holy and righteous. This is difficult to believe, because the world tells us that our behavior or circumstances define us. That's a lie. They don't. So once you've truly given your life to Christ and started intentionally deferring to (i.e obeying) Him, actions and circumstances no longer define you.
I don't think there is any such thing as a point at which your sin overtakes your Christianity. The only way that could ever occur would be if your commitment to Christ were not real. Someone who has made a real commitment to Christ should notice some things about their sin as time goes on.
1. You sin less, and the instances of your sins get fewer and farther between.
2. You are more aware of your sin, and convicted of it sooner.
3. You are grieved by your sin. It isn't fun any more. It's troubling.
4. Your righteousness begins to replace your sinfulness.
5. You're more willing to confess your sin and repent of (turn from) it.
6. You become willing to make your wrongs right. You make amends where possible and are willing to be held accountable for your actions.
I've been a Christian for several years now. The problem is that I continue to sin. I know everyone's a sinner. But I honestly expected that becoming a Christian would change that. How can I know if my level of sin is within an acceptable range (if there is such a thing) for a Christian? I mean at what point does one's sin overtake one's being a Christian?
Orlando M. - Mexia, TX
Dear Orlando,
It sounds as if you have some belief issues. It's not clear to me whether there are truths that you're not believing, or whether there are lies that you are believing. But let's look at God's truth on the subject. Anytime we have a dilemma on our hands, it is helpful to look for what God might have to say about the subject.
When you become a Christian, you are defined on the cross by Jesus. He makes you holy and righteous. This is difficult to believe, because the world tells us that our behavior or circumstances define us. That's a lie. They don't. So once you've truly given your life to Christ and started intentionally deferring to (i.e obeying) Him, actions and circumstances no longer define you.
I don't think there is any such thing as a point at which your sin overtakes your Christianity. The only way that could ever occur would be if your commitment to Christ were not real. Someone who has made a real commitment to Christ should notice some things about their sin as time goes on.
1. You sin less, and the instances of your sins get fewer and farther between.
2. You are more aware of your sin, and convicted of it sooner.
3. You are grieved by your sin. It isn't fun any more. It's troubling.
4. Your righteousness begins to replace your sinfulness.
5. You're more willing to confess your sin and repent of (turn from) it.
6. You become willing to make your wrongs right. You make amends where possible and are willing to be held accountable for your actions.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Personal Evangelism
Dear Victorious,
Our pastor is constantly telling us that we are evangelists, and that each of us has personal responsibility to win others for Christ. To be honest, I don't think I'm gifted in that way, and I resent being told this all the time. Is there a good retort I could give?
Millie V. - Plano, TX
Dear Millie,
Part of a Christian's mission in life is to show unbelievers what God is like. We do this not only by telling them, but rather by our acts of love and compassion - which we give God the credit for. When we do this (love others), they are then attracted to our God.
You don't have to be an outspoken evangelist, winning souls for the Lord. But you do have to love others and be a reflection of Jesus Christ. You may indeed be the only Jesus they see! Stop getting angry at your pastor and start thinking about how you could respond to his call for everyone to start reaching out.
Our pastor is constantly telling us that we are evangelists, and that each of us has personal responsibility to win others for Christ. To be honest, I don't think I'm gifted in that way, and I resent being told this all the time. Is there a good retort I could give?
Millie V. - Plano, TX
Dear Millie,
Part of a Christian's mission in life is to show unbelievers what God is like. We do this not only by telling them, but rather by our acts of love and compassion - which we give God the credit for. When we do this (love others), they are then attracted to our God.
You don't have to be an outspoken evangelist, winning souls for the Lord. But you do have to love others and be a reflection of Jesus Christ. You may indeed be the only Jesus they see! Stop getting angry at your pastor and start thinking about how you could respond to his call for everyone to start reaching out.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Getting Respect
Dear Victorious,
I work in a large office environment and was promoted not long ago to the role of department manager. The problem is that all of the people whom supervise are older then me. Some are old enough to be my parents. How do I win their respect?
Charles J. - Tulsa, OK
Dear Charles,
I don't think any characteristic wins the hearts of adults more quickly than wisdom in the words and actions of a young person. Look up God's definition of what wisdom is and then start pursuing it. To put this differently, stop worrying about what people think of you --- and spend your time worrying about who you actually are. If you're a man of integrity people will respect you and you'll find that age is not a factor.
I work in a large office environment and was promoted not long ago to the role of department manager. The problem is that all of the people whom supervise are older then me. Some are old enough to be my parents. How do I win their respect?
Charles J. - Tulsa, OK
Dear Charles,
I don't think any characteristic wins the hearts of adults more quickly than wisdom in the words and actions of a young person. Look up God's definition of what wisdom is and then start pursuing it. To put this differently, stop worrying about what people think of you --- and spend your time worrying about who you actually are. If you're a man of integrity people will respect you and you'll find that age is not a factor.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Resisting Sin
Dear Victorious,
I have to confess that after years of being a Christian - I still struggle with sin. Frankly I don't understand how this is possible. I love the Lord, I want to do His will in my life. And of course I agree that His will is best. So why do I still struggle with sin?
Baker O. - Naperville, IL
Dear Baker,
Here's the thing - merely wanting or preferring God's will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation that Satan throws at us. We must resolve to obey God. This means being consistently devoted to principle and committed to a specific course of action. Said differently, what will you do instead of sinning? Read Luke 11:24-26, where it explains that we can't just get rid of what's wrong in our life. We must also replace it with what's right. So sinfulness is exchanged for righteousness. If it isn't, sinfulness will return with a vengeance.
I have to confess that after years of being a Christian - I still struggle with sin. Frankly I don't understand how this is possible. I love the Lord, I want to do His will in my life. And of course I agree that His will is best. So why do I still struggle with sin?
Baker O. - Naperville, IL
Dear Baker,
Here's the thing - merely wanting or preferring God's will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation that Satan throws at us. We must resolve to obey God. This means being consistently devoted to principle and committed to a specific course of action. Said differently, what will you do instead of sinning? Read Luke 11:24-26, where it explains that we can't just get rid of what's wrong in our life. We must also replace it with what's right. So sinfulness is exchanged for righteousness. If it isn't, sinfulness will return with a vengeance.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Strategic Default
Dear Victorious,
My husband and I are upside down in our house - owing more on the mortgage than the house is worth. We've been reading about strategic defaults and are thinking about doing that. It would free us up to purchase another house, taking advantage of a better mortgage rate and buying another house at a more realistic price. Overall it seems like a pretty wise thing to do. But my mother says its immoral to do this. We don't see anything wrong with it. What do you think?
Zelda R. - Sugar Land, TX
Dear Zelda,
Your mother is right. It is immoral. When you "strategically default," the bank and its shareholders bear the brunt of your poor investment. It is unfortunate that you and your husband made a bad investment in real estate. However, those are the natural consequences of our decisions in life. That fact that you are "upside down" in your home should not be the catalyst for a financial decision. Moreover, the fact that you can stick the bank with your losses and get away with it should not be a factor in your decision. God's people don't screw their banks and mortgage companies. It is that simple. Listen to your mother.
My husband and I are upside down in our house - owing more on the mortgage than the house is worth. We've been reading about strategic defaults and are thinking about doing that. It would free us up to purchase another house, taking advantage of a better mortgage rate and buying another house at a more realistic price. Overall it seems like a pretty wise thing to do. But my mother says its immoral to do this. We don't see anything wrong with it. What do you think?
Zelda R. - Sugar Land, TX
Dear Zelda,
Your mother is right. It is immoral. When you "strategically default," the bank and its shareholders bear the brunt of your poor investment. It is unfortunate that you and your husband made a bad investment in real estate. However, those are the natural consequences of our decisions in life. That fact that you are "upside down" in your home should not be the catalyst for a financial decision. Moreover, the fact that you can stick the bank with your losses and get away with it should not be a factor in your decision. God's people don't screw their banks and mortgage companies. It is that simple. Listen to your mother.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
