G'day ladies and gents, it's ya lady Untouched Jewel in the buildin!
Recently I was talking to some of my peers on Facebook about a topic that was raised about one pastor whom happens to be gay, and he started a church with his husband. This topic garnerned a lot of comments, and even some of the comments started mentioning pastors being "prosperity pimps", which opened up a whole new can of worms. And of course, I had to put my change in the mix and give my opinion on it all.
I know there are gonna be some people who may disagree with what I have to say on the whole matter, but here's what I think on it all:
I believe in God, and I believe in His word...that's first and foremost. Second, God speaks about homosexuality and His dissidence toward it. I don't have to judge anyone in how they choose to live their lifestyle, because that's their choice (and yes, homosexuality IS a lifestyle choice just like heterosexuality is as well). The bible may have been written by man, but God had everything to do with what's written in it, because that's HIS word. I always hear people throw around this bible verse: "Judge not lest ye be judged" (Matthew 7:1).....true enough, however is that something anyone can say to God when he says that your homosexual lifestyle is an abomination?! And according to the dictionary, the definition of an abomination means a vile, shameful or detestable action, condition or habit. So clearly I don't have to judge you, period!
Third, let's talk about this "prosperity pimpin". I'm so sick of people talking about how they go to these churches and all pastors do is ask for money. I'm also sick of the fact that people wanna use that as an excuse to not go to church. Or better yet...they wanna say that pastors are robbing people and putting the money in their pockets. Whether you realize it or not, THE BIBLE talks about prosperity quite a bit. If folks would pick up the book and read it sometime maybe they would know somethin. SMH. Since when is it such a crime for people in the church to be prosperous (whether a man/woman of the cloth or regular parishioner)? You go around in everyday life and see businessmen, stock brokers, pimps, drug dealers, etc. becoming prosperous all the time, but church people gotta be broke?! Are you serious? I had this same discussion with my mother and here's her response: "People are so quick to give the government their money, and they take it whether or not they allow them to. I would rather give my money to a preacher, because at least I know where my money is going rather than the government who will take it and I don't know what they are doing with it."
Has it ever occurred to anyone that maybe, just maybe....pastors don't always profit from their parishioners? Does anyone ever stop to think that not all pastors are crooks? Has it ever occurred to ANYONE that pastors are teaching the word of God to show them the way that they can live a better life and be prosperous at the same time? My answer: I highly doubt it. And since when did tithing in church become robbery? Tithing is God's principle. According to Luke 6:38, it says: "Give and it shall be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you give, it will be measured back to you." Ladies and gents, God is saying that when you give, not only do you get, but more will be added to that. Society believes that when you get, you are supposed to keep....no. I'll give you a prime example of someone whom is prosperous from giving......OPRAH WINFREY. This woman has given so much, and still gets more from it. That's prosperity. When you tithe, you are only giving 10%, because that's all that God has required. Now all the rest as far as love offerings, building funds, pastor's anniversary, etc. is optional. But unfortunately, the black church has taken it and made such a debauchery of giving for the vain glory of showing off or scoring brownie points to get in good with the pastor. Which in turn that those coming into the church that don't know the protocol in giving immediately get turned off & find every excuse in the book to not only not attend church, but not give at all. Then to add insult to injury, gives the church as a whole a bad rap.
What I absolutely hate about people who have such a disdain for church is that they wanna believe certain parts of the bible when it's convenient and beneficial for them. But when it speaks on checking them on their foolishness when they do wrong, then they wanna say that man wrote it, it's a lie & they don't believe that God hates people or doesn't love them. God loves everyone, because He created everyone. What He doesn't like or absolutely hates is the fact that you don't repent from sin, willfully sin when you know better, and then try to use His name to justify it. It's just like I told someone, where people fall short from being able to prosper is they are too busy looking at what man is doing and not focusing on how to better themselves or live the way God had intended on all of us to live. That's where we block our own blessings. And for those whom defy God in robbing His people or taking their lifestyle and using God to benefit from it because they don't wanna be judged by man, have to give an account to God for it at a later time. But here's what I say: "I obey God's word, not MAN'S GREED." Don't let man do you a disservice and cause you to fall short in disobedience. You dissidence now will be your downfall later.
Until Next Post,
Fingaz & Blessins,
Untouched Jewel
***Side note: if you feel the need or want to discuss this topic further, I can be reached at untouchedjewel@gmail.com. Thank you.***
1 comment:
Nice post.
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