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.

 

Psalm 31:27

The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;

No doubt, paying people back is another one of those things, like cleanliness that can go downhill with a soft mindset.  In fact, like trash building up, so does debt and the damage is just as horrible.  A big problem with debt is it wrecks relationships with people (like cleanliness too often), it makes it harder for you to get more loans (Loans are often needed for hard times that befall us sometimes.), makes it harder to get ahead due to all the debt.

Anyway, though, it is true the Bible asks people to have mercy on those who borrow, but it doesn’t excuse people from making a real effort of responsibility.

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Leviticus 25:35-37

If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.

But why is it so easy to get into a situation where debt can’t be paid back, aside from someone who is just pure evil and has no desire to pay back?

Well, the problem is people get in over their head.  This is, again, the result of a soft mindset.   If people aren’t on top of stuff, things just build up, just like trash.

People are loaded with financial problems and I’m guessing a lot of it is due to bad budgeting, bad management resulting from a mindset that can’t be content with less, unless it’s forced.

For instance, when we go to public school, we eat a meager breakfast and lunch, and it seems to be enough.  It seems to be enough because we know there aren’t better options, so we just shut out the idea.

John 4:13

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.

One could think of this verse as a representation of people never being satisfied, as they are in a delusion to want more and more, ignoring God’s kingdom.

There’s nothing wrong with having a gentle side and Jesus had one, but Jesus also had a hard side.   In fact, Jesus’ personality was a balance between soft and hard.

Anyway, though, in previous posts we have discussed cleanliness and serving God, and one thing the title of this post notes is that a totally (not partially) soft mindset is to blame for failure.

Well, it takes awareness to be clean, and you have to be highly aggressive about it.  I mean, I remember being in this motel room for an extended stay, and the trash keeps piling up, and you don’t want to get banned or, at the least, not get the deposit back, so you’re constantly moving trash out.

Much is said in the Bible about judging someone from the inside, not the outside, and that’s very true.  However, though, it’s far from being the whole story.  In fact, if the inside is truly good, then why wouldn’t the outside be also and that light (witness) would surely impress people.  I mean, if I walked into an environment of sloppiness and filth, would the Christian message given have the full effect?   I would say, no.

And this brings up another idea.  Why is it that employers want military people so much?  It’s probably because they would be on-time, willing to work with a good attitude, and be very clean and neat.   It’s a no-brainer.

But people don’t have to be or have been in the military to have high standards in life.

Cleaning is something that is done very aggressively if done right, and also the same is true with someone truly interested in effectively serving God.

Cleaning is something that many times is a life-or-death situation if there is a bug infestation.  In fact, roaches need very little dirty stuff in a room to cause major problems.

Likewise, there are plenty of sinful activities to draw people off guard on a strong walk with God.  Are you truly prepared to fight back with prayer, meditation, reading God’s word, going to church etc.?

Not everyone is happy, not even people who, seemingly, have nothing to worry about.  I mean, if you got lots of money, what’s there to worry about?  Why would there be celebrity suicides of people who are rich, aside from reasons like Parkinson’s disease?

Well, the reason is because happiness isn’t bought with money.  I mean, for the short term it can make a lot of people happy, obviously, but happiness is something a lot deeper.  It’s tied to things like attachments, stuff like that, stuff you would hear in the Buddhist religion, and also stuff Jesus spoke about.  What did Jesus say was a key to happiness?

Matthew 6:22

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 12:15

And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.

Matthew 6:20

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

It seems foolish for some to give money and/or labor away.   However, many believe, and the Bible supports the idea that what is given is given back, but, of course, it’s not said how it’s given back.

Anyway, though, everything isn’t about money, and often money and work given away is more pleasing to the giver than the alternative.   Well, in my own experience, I often enjoy creating websites, not as a competition for money, but just as fun.  I mean, remember when we were kids and everything was new and we just played with stuff for fun, not to satisfy ego?