I wonder...

[GoldenEagle]

Hello Golden,

Yes, I take a global perspective on this. No, I don't particularly want to take money from one place and dump it somewhere else. I agree with both you and Neb that enterprise and trade are the way out and up for the developing world. One of the charities I support, Deki, does precisely the kind of educational and micro-finance work you allude to, and that is necessary to encourage budding entrepreneurs into a situation where they can work themselves and their families out of poverty and into dignity.

And yes, I firmly believe that it is possible to eradicate absolute poverty not only in this life, but in our lifetimes.

Hasn't Jesus done enough for us already? Must we expect Him to solve all our problems for us? I think the guy deserves a holiday. Let us create a world fit for Him to return to, and not shelve issues for Him to sort out when He does return.

Best wishes, eco.

Interesting. Yes we’re in agreement enterprise and trade are the way out/up for the developing world.

My wife and I support a charity through Compassion International. This charity helps sponsor children around the world by providing education, food, shelter but most importantly teaches about Jesus through the Bible. Our little boy is from Haiti. Like I’ve said before the problem is a spiritual issue not simply a physical/economic issue.

I don’t believe that it is possible to eradicate poverty in this life or in my lifetime. The only way it would happen is if everyone turned to Jesus Christ. Today I just see things progressing away from Christ and the Bible in cultures worldwide. I’ve seen the heart of man first-hand and it is corrupt, sinful, and selfish.

Is Jesus not The Answer?

Curious.

God bless,

GE

[2ndRateMind]

Compassion International looks great. Well done for finding it; well done for supporting it.

Is Jesus not the answer? Well, that would take a book to answer. I can only say that each generation has it's challenge. In my country, our great-grandfathers had the Kaiser to beat. Our grand-fathers needed to destroy Nazism. Our fathers faced down communism, and united Europe. Our job is just to end poverty. Our children's mission, maybe, will be to reach for the stars. People need a cause that is bigger than their own self-interest to give context and meaning to their existence. If that is Jesus, that is fine. But I think however corrupt, sinful and selfish the heart of humanity may be, it also has a yearning for the Good, the Right, the True, the Noble, the Just, and the Moral. And I have enough faith in - and love for - humanity to think that social progress is not only possible, but inevitable.

Lest you think I am side-tracking Jesus, I am not. He will forever stand as the symbol of perfect Love, and ultimate Sacrifice. And one does not even need to be a Christian to acknowledge that.

Best wishes, eco

Edited February 23, 2013 by ecoTramp

[GoldenEagle]

I am sure he was. I just think that the Holy Spirit, when it guides us, does just that. But it does not replace us. Rather, it takes all that we know, all that we can, all that we are, and melds it into distilled wisdom. But what it does not do is anticipate the moral progress that new generations will make, and add that into the mix. Or so it seems to me.

Love, eco.

Is the Holy Spirit an "it" or a "Who" in your view?

What moral progress are you referring to out of curiosity? Possible to give an example of the past and what you see as a possibility (or possibilities) in the future?

[joi]

Compassion International looks great. Well done for finding it; well done for supporting it.

Is Jesus not the answer? Well, that would take a book to answer. I can only say that each generation has it's challenge. In my country, our great-grandfathers had the Kaiser to beat. Our grand-fathers needed to destroy Nazism. Our fathers faced down communism, and united Europe. Our job is just to end poverty. Our children's mission, maybe, will be to reach for the stars. People need a cause that is bigger than their own self-interest to give context and meaning to their existence. If that is Jesus, that is fine. But I think however corrupt, sinful and selfish the heart of humanity may be, it also has a yearning for the Good, the Right, the True, The Noble, the Just, and the Moral. And I have enough faith in - and love for - humanity to think that social progress is not only possible, but inevitable.

Lest you think I am side-tracking Jesus, I am not. He will forever stand as the symbol of perfect Love, and ultimate Sacrifice. And one does not even need to be a Christian to acknowledge that.

Best wishes, eco

And yet you have not acknowledged Him as your Lord and Savior?

[joi]

Hello Golden,

Yes, I take a global perspective on this. No, I don't particularly want to take money from one place and dump it somewhere else. I agree with both you and Neb that enterprise and trade are the way out and up for the developing world. One of the charities I support, Deki, does precisely the kind of educational and micro-finance work you allude to, and that is necessary to encourage budding entrepreneurs into a situation where they can work themselves and their families out of poverty and into dignity.

And yes, I firmly believe that it is possible to eradicate absolute poverty not only in this life, but in our lifetimes.

Hasn't Jesus done enough for us already? Must we expect Him to solve all our problems for us? I think the guy deserves a holiday. Let us create a world fit for Him to return to, and not shelve issues for Him to sort out when He does return.

Best wishes, eco.

This thought is as ancient as Lucifer. If we could do it, we would not need a Savior!

May I suggest Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; [Matt.6:33]

[2ndRateMind]

Hasn't Jesus done enough for us already? Must we expect Him to solve all our problems for us? I think the guy deserves a holiday. Let us create a world fit for Him to return to, and not shelve issues for Him to sort out when He does return.

Best wishes, eco.

This thought is as ancient as Lucifer. If we could do it, we would not need a Savior!

May I suggest Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; [Matt.6:33]

But we have a saviour, so we can do it. We don't have to wait for Him to come again, just get on with it.

[joi]

Who has a savior? Do you?

[Jayyycuuup]

Hasn't Jesus done enough for us already? Must we expect Him to solve all our problems for us? I think the guy deserves a holiday. Let us create a world fit for Him to return to, and not shelve issues for Him to sort out when He does return.

Best wishes, eco.

This thought is as ancient as Lucifer. If we could do it, we would not need a Savior!

May I suggest Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; [Matt.6:33]

But we have a saviour, so we can do it. We don't have to wait for Him to come again, just get on with it.

Perfection is not something that can be obtained on this earth until the return of Christ, and in that instance, not only are things going to get worse, but there will be nothing we can do, or make of it- whether it be to prevent it or enable for it to happen. First the world has to repent and turn from it's evil ways- for God to heal the land (Acts 3:19) I do understand the strive to "better" this planet- but the change starts with Jesus- He should be the priority, this earth will pass away, but our souls have a place that carries on to. Evangelism is a must!

God bless you Love to you in Him!

[2ndRateMind]

Hasn't Jesus done enough for us already? Must we expect Him to solve all our problems for us? I think the guy deserves a holiday. Let us create a world fit for Him to return to, and not shelve issues for Him to sort out when He does return.

Best wishes, eco.

This thought is as ancient as Lucifer. If we could do it, we would not need a Savior!

May I suggest Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; [Matt.6:33]

But we have a saviour, so we can do it. We don't have to wait for Him to come again, just get on with it.

Perfection is not something that can be obtained on this earth until the return of Christ...

No one is asking for perfection. Just that people don't die of hunger, or preventable disease.

...and in that instance, not only are things going to get worse, but there will be nothing we can do, or make of it- whether it be to prevent it or enable for it to happen...

And this is a counsel of despair. I cannot think that this is the spirit of the faith. You may think that there is nothing to be done, and that God will reward the faithful despite their inaction, but I think you are taking an unnecessary risk.

cheers, eco

[nebula]

But we have a saviour, so we can do it. We don't have to wait for Him to come again, just get on with it.

So, what you are saying is mankind is it's own savior, and we don't need Jesus?