wHY DO cHRISTIANS CONTINUE TO INCLUDE THE WISEMEN (Magi) IN THE NATIVITY DISPLAYS?

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Buzzfruit

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But if we have Jesus inside of us and we give eachother gifts is that so wrong ?

How about giving that extra money that one would spend on giving pretty much useless gift to each other, and give it towards the ministry for the work of the gospel? Would not that do more good? Or are we more interested in getting stuff for ourselves? The Bible says it’s better to give than to receive, and if you lend or in this case give to someone and they give you something back you have nothing to receive from God.

Acts 20:35 (ASV)
[sup]35 [/sup]In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.






Luke 6:34-35 (GW)
[sup]34 [/sup]If you lend anything to those from whom you expect to get something back, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners also lend to sinners to get back what they lend.
[sup]35 [/sup]Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people.




 

Comm.Arnold

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How about giving that extra money that one would spend on giving pretty much useless gift to each other, and give it towards the ministry for the work of the gospel? Would not that do more good? Or are we more interested in getting stuff for ourselves? The Bible says it’s better to give than to receive, and if you lend or in this case give to someone and they give you something back you have nothing to receive from God.

Acts 20:35 (ASV)
[sup]35 [/sup]In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.






Luke 6:34-35 (GW)
[sup]34 [/sup]If you lend anything to those from whom you expect to get something back, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners also lend to sinners to get back what they lend.
[sup]35 [/sup]Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people.

Nothing says you can't do both.
 

biggandyy

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Who are you to pass judgment on what I do with my money?

See Act 5:4... it's mine do to with as I wish, either for the ministry or for the enjoyment of my family and friends.

Take your Holier than Thou attitude and shine it on yourself.
 

Comm.Arnold

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Who are you to pass judgment on what I do with my money?

See Act 5:4... it's mine do to with as I wish, either for the ministry or for the enjoyment of my family and friends.

Take your Holier than Thou attitude and shine it on yourself.

Jesus talks about giving so much I could be here all night quoting verses.
 

Buzzfruit

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Nothing says you can't do both.

I won't be holding my breath that those who gives gift to each other are going to give that extra money to the work of God. I remember many years ago (back in the 1980s) before I started to attend the Church that I am now attending, that the pastor general always say every year in the month of December, that contribution to the Church would drop, because those who were outside the Church that were helping to support the work of the Church would stop sending donations and use the money to shop and buy gifts for each other. So the work suffered as a result.
 

biggandyy

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He taught us HOW to give, never commanded us TO give. If it isn't from a genuine desire to give freely then our giving would be more worthless than Scrooge.
 

Buzzfruit

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Who are you to pass judgment on what I do with my money?

See Act 5:4... it's mine do to with as I wish, either for the ministry or for the enjoyment of my family and friends.

Take your Holier than Thou attitude and shine it on yourself.

I can see that your attitude is not good. Ever wonder why David was called a man after God's own heart? Because even as a king he was humble enough to be corrected and not call for the person to be executed.


He taught us HOW to give, never commanded us TO give. If it isn't from a genuine desire to give freely then our giving would be more worthless than Scrooge.

And that is why the Bible says we will be rewarded according to our works......some people will do more for God with what He has given them than some. Some Christians are more receptive to what God tells them and some are not so receptive.
 

justaname

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I won't be holding my breath that those who gives gift to each other are going to give that extra money to the work of God. I remember many years ago (back in the 1980s) before I started to attend the Church that I am now attending, that the pastor general always say every year in the month of December, that contribution to the Church would drop, because those who were outside the Church that were helping to support the work of the Church would stop sending donations and use the money to shop and buy gifts for each other. So the work suffered as a result.

I know my church raised around $400,000 for service around the world from the Christmas offering. In my culture it is better to give than receive, that is one reason we buy gifts for other people. Quite honestly I really don't get many gifts, nor do I seek them by giving. In fact I don't look for blessings by giving either. Now I don't need a day to tell me when to give to others, but having a day where the secular world gets involved also dose not hurt imho.
 

biggandyy

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I can see that your attitude is not good. Ever wonder why David was called a man after God's own heart? Because even as a king he was humble enough to be corrected and not call for the person to be executed.




And that is why the Bible says we will be rewarded according to our works......some people will do more for God with what He has given them than some. Some Christians are more receptive to what God tells them and some are not so receptive.

So now you are passing even MORE judgment on me? Some folks can only feel tall when they cut others off at the knees.
 

Angelina

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But if we have Jesus inside of us and we give each other gifts is that so wrong ?

How about giving that extra money that one would spend on giving pretty much useless gift to each other, and give it towards the ministry for the work of the gospel? Would not that do more good? Or are we more interested in getting stuff for ourselves? The Bible says it’s better to give than to receive, and if you lend or in this case give to someone and they give you something back you have nothing to receive from God.

Buzzfruit, you are a very contentious person.

If someone wants to bless their family or friends with a gift at Christmas, it is their prerogative not yours. You do not have a claim over peoples finances, God does.

Acts 20:35 (ASV)
35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

If God puts it on my heart to give in this way at Christmas or any other time of the year, I will. This verse is taken out of context in relation to the OP

Luke 6:34-35 (GW)
34 If you lend anything to those from whom you expect to get something back, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners also lend to sinners to get back what they lend.
35 Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people.


This verse is not talking about gift giving...Gift giving is not expected to be returned, again, out of context...

Shalom!
 

Buzzfruit

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Buzzfruit, you are a very contentious person.

If someone wants to bless their family or friends with a gift at Christmas, it is their prerogative not yours. You do not have a claim over peoples finances, God does.

Acts 20:35 (ASV)
35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

If God puts it on my heart to give in this way at Christmas or any other time of the year, I will. This verse is taken out of in relation to the OP

Luke 6:34-35 (GW)
34 If you lend anything to those from whom you expect to get something back, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners also lend to sinners to get back what they lend.
35 Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people.


This verse is not talking about gift giving...Gift giving is not expected to be returned, again, out of context...

Shalom!


I am simple saying that there claim is disingenuous and a truly giving person would put the work of God ahead of buying gift for people that for the most part don't need it. How about giving the money to some shelter or soup kitchen? When one think about it Christmas is basically about materialism and its not about the gospel. The last thing that is on people's mind is the spreading of the gospel and it takes money to do much of that. But I suspect I have stepped on some raw nerves but the truth is the truth. It’s no wonder why some Christians are so spiritually immature…..they attend Churches that tell them what they want to hear and agree with.

No, my conscience isn't named buzzedfruit... it's name Holy Spirit.

Not everyone knows when God is telling them something because they plug up their ears because don't want to hear it.
 

Angelina

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That is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it. However, you cannot generalize by saying that all Christians give gifts to family and friends who for much part, don't need it. Living in the society we do today is not easy on many families and any help from family or friends, is much appreciated. This not the responsibility of the Church but of each individual family...They have to take care of their own and also give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Shalom!
 

Buzzfruit

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I know my church raised around $400,000 for service around the world from the Christmas offering. In my culture it is better to give than receive, that is one reason we buy gifts for other people. Quite honestly I really don't get many gifts, nor do I seek them by giving. In fact I don't look for blessings by giving either. Now I don't need a day to tell me when to give to others, but having a day where the secular world gets involved also dose not hurt imho.

Do you or the Church only give during Christmas time or is giving a part of your way of life and you give all year round?

That is your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it. However, you cannot generalize by saying that all Christians give gifts to family and friends who for much part, don't need it. Living in the society we do today is not easy on many families and any help from family or friends, is much appreciated. This not the responsibility of the Church but of each individual family...They have to take care of their own and also give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Shalom!

I did not say all, I said much, even most of the gift are things that they don't need. So that scripture that you quoted is talking about a need that the family would have. Buying a new TV or a video game for example is not a need.
 
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