Adapted from http://www.lagerusalemme-in-visibile.net/Spunti-e-riflessioni/le-3-s-soldi-su ...
"Love not the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Since everything is in the world, the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world and the world passes away and the lust, but he who does the will of God abideth forever ... "(1 John 2:15-17)
There are different formulations of the sympathetic nervous that I used as the title: "Three are the weaknesses of man, and have sex, money and success." This I heard from his wife of Lirio Porrello, or "SOS cry of alarm - Sex, Money and Pride" felt by Daniel Rosi, or in English: "Girls, Glitter and Glory," said Peter Prothero . This is also easily translatable as "the girls, and the glory that glitters." The Apostle John in his first letter to the churches use the word "lust", but is more immediate if we read the Living Bible paraphrase (in Inter-Speech Translation): "Do not yield to the charm of the things of this world. If one is seduced by the world, there is no room in it for the love of God the Father. This is the world want to satisfy their selfishness, ignite a passion for all that you see, be proud of what you have. All of this comes from the world, is not from God the Father. " We read in Genesis that Eve was tempted with just these three shades: "The woman saw the tree, its fruits were certainly good to eat was a treat for the eyes, it was fascinating to have that knowledge. So he took a fruit and ate "(Genesis 3:6, NASB). Jesus was also tempted him in the three aspects (Matthew 4, stones into bread to eat, a spectacular flight down from the pinnacle of the temple with visions of angels, the offer of the glory of all the kingdoms of the land for worship) but did not fall at any point. What about us? We are tempted to like them, every day, the same three areas, and often fall for
Sex ...
the appetites of our flesh are among the first to be heard since our childhood, and remain with us for life: the apostle John in his epistle speaks of "lust of the flesh ", which includes all the desires of our being human and is often referred to generically as" carnal. " Appetites are normal, which ensure our survival and to satisfy hunger thirst, then over time with the push to sexual reproduction: the Apostle Paul (Romans 1:27) speaks of it as a "natural use" of men and women, contrasting with a lust that is heating up. The problem seems to be precisely the fact that these feelings "normal" may catch fire and become dangerous for us and for those around us, becoming apparent "abnormal" when, instead of being part of our normal life, and become part of the driving force that affects our daily lives and our relationships with others ("The man who does not knows how to master is a city dismantled, without hearing "Prov. 25:28). The title said, "sex" is one of these appetites, often cited as probably one of the strongest, but there are many, let's see:
§ About eating, I am able to control me? There is no mention of diet, but the capacity to contain not know, especially with certain foods (it is known who has always said that the need for actually eat lots of sweets must compensate for a miserable youth and "bitter"), if my way of eating is annoying to others, will be to learn to read: "When you sit at the table with a prince, to think carefully who you are before, and put a knife to your throat if you are greedy, "(Proverbs 23:2), and" he who eats everything, do not despise him that eateth not: and he that eateth not judge him that eats everything, because God has taken him "(Romans 14:2).
§ About drinking, I am a slave? The Scriptures are clear about it, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Prov. 20:1); "of those who are not drinkers wine and gorge themselves on meat, the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags "(Prov. 23:20), because the bishop must be blameless ... not given to wine ..." (Titus 1: 7).
§ regard to sleep: this is also an appetite in our body has its rights, but it can also be abused, "Go, lazy, the ant: consider her to do, and be wise; ... get some sleep ', a little slumber & rsquo ;, cross a little 'hands to rest ... and your poverty will come like a thief, and miss you like an armed man "(Prov. 6:6-11 and 24:33-34; Note: Two times !), "Cretans are evil beasts, slow bellies ..." (Titus 1:12).
§ Sex is also one of the major causes of problems for those in a position of command in the Bible, just think of Samson, David and Solomon, who despite having every right to abuse them and they are hampered in their service, even spiritual guide to the people of God in the New Testament we find the same recommendations, by the Apostle Paul to all other writers of Holy Writ, which urged "not to fall in immorality, each man have his own wife, and each woman her own husband ... if you can not control their instincts get married, it is better to marry than to burn with desire " (1 Corinthians 7:2-9, NASB version). Let us flee then pornography, immorality, and infidelity, we encourage our young to marry, and after not too many years of waiting
Money ...
Rather than money, the talk is about the use of money, for love or money, which is that it creates real problems (1 Timothy 6:10 ). The eyes are the channel that makes us see and want, and the "lust of the eyes" will still have to do with the image I want to give me what I want others to see. So my house or my car became a status symbol, my clothes, perfect makeup or image of eternal youth, even the spectacle, theatricality in the offer itself become part of my image. We put on a mask that is not our "true self", but we like to show the world. But God sees through our masks, and encourages us to remove them, to become ourselves with His help.
§ How we use money? People in service are particularly at risk because they have preached for years that "we have received for free and we give free" and this has created some practice in our congregations to think that asking for money for the work of God is almost sinful It would be a mistake to have both a way of life very poor (that smacks of "Franciscan saints") and teach us that we need to serve our flock while the blood does not owe us anything. Paul, in several letters, teaches the opposite (1 Corinthians 9:9-14).
§ In last year we discussed with the teaching of prosperity, according to which we are entitled to welfare, and then teach them to demand it at the end everything we have because we are children of the King But the example that Jesus gave us is the Son of the Great King who had everything, and it was stripped of love for us, so we could know the riches of poverty. If a child is taught that they can always have it all, or who may not have anything, however, grow with distorted expectations! I believe that, as with all extremes, the right is in the healthy middle ground, we costs, which are to be covered if possible by the offers of those we serve (Galatians 6:6). If we are pioneers, "robbed other churches to serve" (2 Corinthians 11:7-9). We had to broaden beyond the expenses for the ministry, because we create spiritual problems.
§ Offers and tithes: we do not preach often make the practice of tithing to the Lord, and some even practice it, nor the demand by employees in the service. We meet with communities so poor, who can not do much. Maybe then we say that Italy is hard, when in fact we have never taught those around us to have a lifestyle generous with gifts, offers, expense accounts and also words of appreciation, encouragement, and respect for the work of others, even if offered free of cost, however, is something to those who have offered.
§ debt means a person in service should be an example, and should never borrow that does not commit to repay ("the wicked takes on loan and not make, "Psalm 37:21). We have not solved the debt? Clearly I'm not talking about the home loan, which will become extinct in fifteen years, but the money you lent me a brother, and that I "forgot" because I do not need them more (Luke 6:30-31 ). Just a little aside to see our spiritual authority.
§ brothers around me I take as an example of generosity or meanness? Imitate what they see, from how I spend my time! And remember that if the weather is money, a part of our "salary" is the time that we dedicate ourselves in service to our families, which is still "money well spent! The best team that we will grow our wives and our children if we will stay with them long enough to invest in their lives!
Success ...
Big problem, the pride of life makes us see everything only in terms of our personal and limited only to what our service which is rewarding, creating personal spaces and highlights our person. Just think of all those responsible for works that, in growing, have lost sight of who they work for, and end up working for themselves: the Church is not ours but the Lord! All our work is not for us to have glory, but the Lord, sometimes it seems that the work is intended to show what we did well. There are those who have suffered from lack of appreciation from friends and parents, and always strive to demonstrate to the world that are really worth something! Unfortunately with these insecurities, all life will be a "Demonstrate to others," and therefore not an investment in that of another. And 'as if a farmer is eating all the seed that has produced to show that is good, without anything to sow the next crop.
§ attention to our use of spiritual gifts that God has given us. We have the prophetic word? Do not let's use it in order to be spiritually gifted, but to direct people on a real journey in growth and we have a word of knowledge? Do not let's use it to impress on people, telling them when you should marry or where they are going to serve God, but to heal their souls ... (Eph. 4:29).
§ We are ministers of success? Careful what we do! God does not give you success so that we can feel great, but gives it to those who need (Nehemiah 2:20). You will not have a spiritual success that accompanies a life of someone trying to make our tool for personal glory.
§ We live in frustration? We do not see success in some aspects of our service? Is it not the case for talk I keep a few, to take a time of prayer and fasting and asking God to intervene to heal? (2 Chronicles 7:14). Frustration is not a gift of the Holy Spirit, is rather a signal that our pride does not feel satisfied, but there will be seasons in which you work without seeing the fruit, without seeing you sow grow. And 'the Lord will help us understand where we are, and if we are wasting time or not, with the assistance of our preserves.
§ Want have authority? Then you must be a man under authority, "as the Centurion (Matthew 8:9); your life, your service, were put under the supervision of a servant of God, a Council? You are behind in your work for God, or are you a "maverick"?
§ you have room in the ministry? If you really want, you must be willing to die, to be nothing (Matt. 16:24), that is a good starting point for a successful ministry, like Joseph who sailed from slavery and prison, and was forged by the Government of the Kingdom.
As you see, maybe these are problems for some, some more, some less: as are in the Bible, I think are real problems for us all in the service of our daily lives. Let's see, very slowly and with God's help, to solve them one by one, so as to become "workers who do not have to be ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15) before God and our brothers.
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