Really enjoyed this Ross. It's stories that confuse us and push against our commonsense that give us insights into facets of God and following Jesus which we would otherwise miss.
It reminds me a little of how my grandfather speaks about tithing - that if you see it as money paying for a service or toward the upkeep of a building or institution, you're missing the point. If there was a bottomless pit where you could throw your money every week and you never saw it again, but you knew that's what God had commanded you to so, then you should do it. The point is the sacrifice, not the maximised utility of your money.
Oh I’m so glad. Your grandfather’s a wise man! I say the same about tithing and also about alms giving. So “the beggar will just drink the money away” does not necessarily excuse one from obeying Jesus’ commandment to give to the one who asks. The practical purpose is, at best, secondary to the main purpose: to give to God.
As an aside (and maybe I’ll write about this), this is one way in which low church pastors are often disadvantaged compared to a high church priest. The priest, as a representative of God, can call the people to “give to God,” which is actually the best way to give. Meanwhile, the lower church pastor doesn’t understand himself to have—and probably hasn’t been ordained with—quite that much spiritual authority, so for him to say “give to God” risks being a form of spiritual manipulation. Instead he must justify his ask with building campaigns and budgets, etc. Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting as always man. You always have great thoughts.
Really enjoyed this Ross. It's stories that confuse us and push against our commonsense that give us insights into facets of God and following Jesus which we would otherwise miss.
It reminds me a little of how my grandfather speaks about tithing - that if you see it as money paying for a service or toward the upkeep of a building or institution, you're missing the point. If there was a bottomless pit where you could throw your money every week and you never saw it again, but you knew that's what God had commanded you to so, then you should do it. The point is the sacrifice, not the maximised utility of your money.
Oh I’m so glad. Your grandfather’s a wise man! I say the same about tithing and also about alms giving. So “the beggar will just drink the money away” does not necessarily excuse one from obeying Jesus’ commandment to give to the one who asks. The practical purpose is, at best, secondary to the main purpose: to give to God.
As an aside (and maybe I’ll write about this), this is one way in which low church pastors are often disadvantaged compared to a high church priest. The priest, as a representative of God, can call the people to “give to God,” which is actually the best way to give. Meanwhile, the lower church pastor doesn’t understand himself to have—and probably hasn’t been ordained with—quite that much spiritual authority, so for him to say “give to God” risks being a form of spiritual manipulation. Instead he must justify his ask with building campaigns and budgets, etc. Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting as always man. You always have great thoughts.