Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

I keep hearing about “FAIRNESS” during the election campaign. It seems that many Christians are even falling into this trap.  Where in the Bible does it talk about fairness? The Bible does talk about treating your neighbor as yourself.  But when I read the Bible it talks about rewarding those who work hard and helping those in need.  Nowhere do I see “redistribution of wealth.”  

In Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV) it says:

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

 ”Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

” ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Now we can’t earn God’s favor but God does reward those who work hard. I have had the privilege at serving at some very wealthy churches.  One church in particular had more millionaires then I’ll ever be around again.  The people there were so transformed by Jesus Christ that they were extremely generous with their money. But they chose to give to the church, missionaries, Campus Crusade, Youth For Christ, Young Life, etc…

Those who want “FAIRNESS” would “TAKE” the money away from these generous people and give it away without giving them any say so. Is that fair?  Life isn’t fair.  I’ve never made a lot of money.  I’ve never been near a 6 figure salary.  I have family members who make lots of money and they give abundantly to Christian organizations. But the “Redistribution” folks would like to “TAKE” their hard earned money and give it away.  Shouldn’t it be the person who makes the money’s job to decide how to spend it?  

From my observation believers who have been blessed with wealth are more generous than others. They just want a say so in where it goes.  If The “REDISTRIBUTION” folks have their way it will take away all incentives to work hard and give.  Why would a person want to make that extra sale if they know the government is going to have it anyway?  Why work an extra hour when you know the government is going to “TAKE” their money? That seems less “FAIR” than allowing people to show their generosity. 

I’m amazed at followers of Jesus who are buying into this philosophy.  From my study of Scripture it isn’t supported by the Bible. Life isn’t “FAIR” but God is good.

What do you think?

[LA Times]

A West Hollywood Halloween display showing a likeness of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin hanging by a noose has caused a furor among some residents who reported it as a hate crime, authorities said Monday.

But Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said the mannequin sporting a beehive hairdo, glasses and a red coat does not rise to the level of a hate crime because it was part of a Halloween display.

Read more here.

[From me]

Then what is a hate crime? If this was an Obama display would it be?  It is just tacky and sick.  There is nothing funny or entertaining about killing anyone.

What do you think?

[Washington Post]

When Keith Elliott decided he wanted to use a Christian slogan to advertise his real estate business, the first thing he did was call a lawyer.

[LA Times]

The Rev. Robert H. Schuller removed his son Saturday as preacher on the syndicated “Hour of Power” television show less than three years after handing over to him the ministry he began more than 50 years ago. Schuller announced the removal of his son, Robert A. Schuller, in a statement read to some 450 Crystal Cathedral congregants by Jim Coleman, the church’s president.

“It is no secret to any of you that my son, Robert, and I have been struggling as we each have different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry,” his statement read.

“For this lack of shared vision and the jeopardy in which this is placing this entire ministry, it has become necessary for Robert and me to part ways.”

Read more here.

[From me]

I guess Robert shouldn’t be expecting a Father’s Day Card.:)

There has to be more to this story. You don’t just fire your own son for a slight difference of opinion.

What do you think?

It is getting late and I just got a chance to collect a few thoughts from the past few days.  Cass and I enjoyed our trip to Birmingham…as much as you can when you are looking at homes.  We are grateful for so many friends who offered for us to stay and even meet for coffee or dinner. When we get to Birmingham for good..I promise we will take you up on your offer.

I hate that I didn’t get to see any of my friend @ Samford.  But when we live there for good that will be easier. We are grateful to the Swearingen’s for allowing us to stay at their home. We spent some more time driving around the area before we stopped at UAB hospital to see a friend of Cassandra’s from her hometown.  It was a sad situation of a once beautiful young lady who had to have heart surgery at 39 because of drug abuse.  We stayed there for a while and Cass prayed for her.  It was heartbreaking.  

We then drove to Columbia, SC to pick up our children and drive back to Charlotte. I’m grateful to have my parents so close and that will be hard moving away from them. I didn’t get to give as many Twitter/Facebook updates due to the fact Cassandra gave me “THE LOOK” as I was typing them into my TREO.  So I had to wait for every time we stopped for gas or a break!

If you don’t mind praying for us we have to sell our house soon.  I go for training hopefully next week if all of my support comes in because we are a tad short.  Then we move after Christmas to get started by Jan. 5th.  Wow, time goes quickly.