It seems impossible especially in the Christian religion, to believe in God and try to be as best of a person as possible, yet survive, thrive, be intellectual/smart, and get by in this life.
Let's face it, just to SURVIVE, takes so many skills, effort, brainpower and sometimes you do things that are "sinful" just to get by. I mean how can you literally manufacture machines like computers, do extremely scientific, intellectual work, run a business, be a doctor/lawyer, or do something OTHER THAN BEING useless, and at the same time have "god" on your side, when you're not really doing god's work.
I think it's near impossible to be with god and be happy and successful in this world, becuase according to God, nearly EVERYTHING in this life is evil, including trying to modernize yourself and life, and care about the "future" of this world.
TO me, it sounds almost like GOD is evil, and wants to prevent us from BEING in this world.
How can I make the two work? It's hard.
2007-10-07 14:59:27 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a Christian and am going to go for a Ph.D in aerospace engineering. It's not impossible. It depends on your definition of "success" however. How do you define "success"? As long as I have enough money to run an eventual family and be healthy etc then I will get by just fine. Aerospace engineers make a decent amount of cash, nothing extremely impressive, but enough to be fairly well off. That is all you need. However I have heard of Christians who make 7, even 8 digits a year, so it does happen. The thing you gotta remember is that we as Christians don't want to focus 90%+ of our energies on moneymaking, because it is distracting from our goal to win other people to the Lord. While making money is not wrong, and like I have said, some people DO go out and make lots of money, what you do with the money is what determines who you are. Heck I know someone who is only 18, great friend of mine, currently living in his car (he left his parent's home on his own accord, even though he has a great relationship with his folks), because he wants to learn how to live with the minimums. Now however, I do think that's a bit extreme, but If that is what he wants to do, then more power to him.
God makes many people talented in various aspects. However, these talents (be it art, music, engineering, healthcare, teaching, or whatever) were not given to us just to make money with but to help others and to help spread the Good Word.
Couple of verses that come to mind because I recently have re-read them:
Exodus 28:3
"Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest."
Exodus 28:15
"Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions - the work of a skilled craftsman....."
This verse from the NT kinda tells us the "spiritual vocations".
Ephesians 4:11
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers."
In essence, I am saying as Christians we have TWO vocations - one is of this world, and another is for spiritual matters. Sometimes the two can interract. For instance, as an engineer, I could end up designing churches for a third-world country or something like that.
2007-10-07 15:58:40 · answer #1 · answered by Xan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define success. It can mean different things to different people. I don't believe in evolution and I don't consider myself deluded. I have looked at many different viewpoints, researched different areas on the topic and, for me, an intelligent designer makes more sense than a random accident. Don't know whether or not I would be considered successful, but I am fairly happy. A lot of successful people can't say that and that's sad in its own way.
2016-05-18 03:59:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't buy your assertion that you have to do things that are sinful to get by. That's just a rationalization. Nothing wrong with it, but don't try to pass it off as the truth.
What do you mean by "nearly everything in this life is evil"? Running water, electricity, indoor plumbing - those things are evil? Surgeons, nurses, bakers, chefs, mothers and fathers aren't doing God's work? Having a trade or profession is evil?
There are good people who are successful in every non-criminal walk of life.
2007-10-07 15:06:36 · answer #3 · answered by pufferoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can my friend...believe me...YOU CAN!
First this God is a God of Success. He will make you succeed in life if you have the right choice to make.
Second he has given everyone talents..and the way you use these talents is totally up to you. Some of us are very talented in Art..some Music...some in Computer..some in Engineering and so on! It is how you use these talents that differentiates you from anyone else.
God has given you oppotunities to get the very best in Life and it is your duty to make the best out of it! Whatever decisions you make maps your future and God respects those decisions.
Last but not the least whichever path that you choose to follow you will answer to God...and I hope you choose the right one!
God Bless!
2007-10-07 15:13:04 · answer #4 · answered by redzonecash 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you except Christ into your heart you are asking for the biggest Gift God has to give to any person upon this earth. When you except this gift and truly choose to live by it the fruit of your life will show. By living to biblical principles you are forced to feel conviction when you do something wrong but the blessing behind it all is that if you choose to do whats right who can be against you. If GOD is for you who can be against you. So techinically if you are doing things right in the eyes of GOD then what does it matter about what mankind thinks.. God will bless those who do right in the eyes of God.
2007-10-07 15:25:08 · answer #5 · answered by Uafwife 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being successful does not mean having loads of money. It means to have a life that has had an irrevocable impact on the world that also improves it. Which is easily achievable by Christians.
2007-10-07 15:03:40 · answer #6 · answered by Skunk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it's hard. But I know those who have done it. The greater the success, the greater the tendency to attribute that success to oneself because one needs proof for oneself--that one is smart, one worked hard, etc. Yes you can attribute it to God, but you won't be happy for long. YOU worked darn hard for the achievements.
I couldn't really do it. I chose one. I will go with one. My endeavors take up too much time for me to read bible everyday, pray, then come back and thank God. Can't keep it up anymore.
Discouraging? Well, it's my own story. Do what's best for you. Hard work and will may indeed get you there.
2007-10-07 15:07:01 · answer #7 · answered by Pansy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To have a fellowship with God just as you would a earthly friend. There is a sign at the church I go to it says (It is not about being good but it is about being free). God will lead us if we will just let him. We move forward and ask God to be with us and keep us in his care. God bless
2007-10-07 15:16:10 · answer #8 · answered by Ron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well see the point that you are missing is this:
God never said you couldn't do any or all of those other things. He wants us to have as normal of a life as possible. All he asks is for us to one: try not to sin
two: notice when we do sin
three: ask for forgiveness
and four: do all things we do to please him
the fourth one doesnt mean we have to be hermits all of our lives, it just means that anything we do not to do solely for men, but have him in mind.
2007-10-07 15:15:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You put God first and he'll really bless you. When we started our business 5 yrs.ago we totally turned everything over to him. My husband, 2 sons,son-in-law and myself we all work together. All I can say is we couldn't be we are without him.
2007-10-07 15:08:48 · answer #10 · answered by B"Quotes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋