John 8:12

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

You can’t see things in the dark, and so the probability of doing negative things is much higher than when in the light.   For instance, there’s a greater chance of bumping your head, running into walls, falling into holes, the list goes on and on.

But negative things aren’t all about physical accidents, but also means simply mistakes, mistakes that would be known as sin.   For example, if someone is walking in the light, would they choose less sin than someone not walking in the light?  And also note that some who are not Christians, might be somewhat walking in the light unknowingly, simply when they are obeying the ten commandments and other moral laws, maybe unknowingly.

Exodus 22:25

If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him

I don’t see nothing wrong with loan companies (except maybe title loan places).    Well, the thing is that loan companies can do much good in the world, assuming the borrowers are responsible.  And I figure the reason many people hate and demonize the finance industry is because they are irresponsible (the borrowers) and they got burned.

Note: Myself, recently I got two loans, one for $700, and the other for $1000, even with bad credit.  And this money was a huge help and so I wonder what it would be like if the finance industry was illegal.

But if the finance industry was illegal, who would have the money to help people when they’re down, because you know, we all make mistakes.

Note: the above verse indicates any interest is forbidden, but the Israelites were free to extract interest from foreigners.   It was a unique situation to that time in history and can’t be totally applied now.  Well, the verse never said interest, itself, was wrong only it wasn’t a good idea between Israelites at that time in history.

And unreasonable interest, in the context of exploitation, is NOT biblically supported.

Proverbs 28:8

One who increases his wealth by interest of any kind, collects it for one who is gracious to the poor.

The above verse gives a situation where the greedy person dies and so the next heir, who is a good person, uses it wisely.

Luke 15:22-30

²² But the father said to his servants,^[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

A lot of people have turned around and are doing better, but other people still see them as they were in the past, simply because they don’t really know what is going on, or perhaps they don’t want to.

In the verse above, the older brother doesn’t want to acknowledge his younger brother’s change, maybe because of bitterness alone, or perhaps because he thinks it’s fake (temporary or something).

1 Corinthians 16:14

And do everything with love.

Some things shown on the outside don’t reflect what is on the inside, but some stuff does.  In other cases, things shown on the outside might have a real excuse.

Anyway, with prayer and deep insight or even common sense, Christians could see the difference.  It’s important to always act in love and not be engaged in bullying behavior.  Of course, there’s a difference in being firm and tough and bullying.

Note: one example is cleaning.  I don’t see nothing wrong with being tough on cleaning, but also someone’s past, health etc. needs to be taken into account.

Jesus and the Old Testament prophets were always criticizing cruelty to the needy, but then again, it’s easy to see where it comes from, and, of course, these days you see the same thing.

Luke 18:9-12

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

Well, the frustration comes from the fact that the needy sometimes cheat, sometimes are not putting the full effort to help themselves, but then again, that’s not justification to develop a self-righteous attitude in relation to them.

In fact, Christians are called to do the right thing, no matter if sometimes it seems like it’s not paying off.

Matthew 5:41

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

But when does it become enabling?  When does it become a situation of being used too much?

Well, I take it that via prayer etc. God can give us the wisdom to know when people should be left alone.

Projection is pointing out others faults that you have yourself.  Projection could also be pointing out others faults while not having those faults but rather having other ones.

Matthew 7:3

And why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye, but not notice the beam in your own eye?

Matthew 7:1-2

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Projection is common to sinful human nature.  I’m sure everyone has done it, even as adults.   Anyway, though, it’s not saying you can’t point out other’s faults, but rather you need to be sensitive to the fact you could be the same.

Proverbs 18:13

To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.

Misunderstandings cause a host of problems, but one way to solve them is to be upfront about stuff, looking at more than meets the eye, much like playing chess.  For instance, if someone is borrowing something, then be clear if the maintenance is on the borrower or the owner.

But the above verse is about answering before listening, but maybe it could also be read, in a different situation, like one I mentioned, as “answering before serious planning”.

 

Matthew 5:26

Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Some think forgiveness brings in an age of good times, but actually you can’t ignore what you’ve done before, as though there’s nothing to repay.  In fact, there is a penance, and while the Catholic faith is big on this, I suspect Protestants aren’t much into it.

But it’s nothing to be stressed over, but you can’t be shocked when things you’ve done, just aren’t going away.

And how can one do penance?  Well, I can’t really say.  I’m sure it’s doing good things, but not sure on what that would be.  I suppose you could pray about it and consult other Christians.

Proverbs 19:17

If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!

We can’t be sure how it will be paid back.  It could be better health, financial opportunities etc., but for sure it would be worth your while.

Some people have the wrong understanding of it, seeing it as a free ticket to do whatever you want, the only punishment being less rewards in the afterlife.   However, though, it’s not what Jesus taught.   In fact, scripture says people are only connected to God, if they want to be, and in that connection is only where they can truly serve God (the true definition of Grace).  In other words, since the connection supplies the power, then how can we brag and say we are responsible?

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you

These words of Jesus imply that the level of bearing fruit is our choice, depending on how connected we want to be, and we have the choice to unplug the connection.