I was watching a Christian program the other day. The host was speaking about traveling in China. He was saying that he wanted to pray with a group of christians there for China. They said they wanted to pray that American materialism would not come to China and ruin the gospel. I can see their point, what do you think?
2007-11-10 11:36:52 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
KAL did a better job at explaining this for me!
2007-11-10 12:29:40 · update #1
Sounds like a good prayer to me...
I've been praying something similar for myself (and my family) for a while now...ever since I recognized that my own materialism was keeping me from serving God with all my heart, soul, body, and mind!
I don't think it is judgmental or biased to pray for protection from something you fear...it wouldn't be wrong for me to pray that God protect me from a hurricane or from enemy soldiers. They weren't asking God to destroy America for its materialism...they are simply asking him to protect them from a very real threat. Materialism, greed, the pursuit of wealth...God made it pretty clear that these things can make it difficult if not impossible for people to follow his instructions! ...and anyone that thinks America isn't one of the most materialistic countries on earth isn't paying attention to his or her surroundings!
2007-11-10 12:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by KAL 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although there are faults and lukewarmness in American Christianity, I find it quite snobbish that many Christians from places like India or China judge us that way.
Why not pray against greed and materialism in general?
Why add America into the pie, when indeed greed and materialism can happen in China without American influence?
2007-11-11 02:34:34 · answer #2 · answered by Deelite Me! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amen! covetousness is frowned on by God..it would take a christian with an outside perspective to look in on us here in America and say do they really need all that stuff. Keeping it simple will make it easier for those of us who will have to part ways with all of our "stuff" when the time comes to accept or deny the Mark of the Beast
From a Biblical standpoint the issue of self-control seems to be not self denial
but a spiritual management of oneself, control and direction by the truths of the scriptures. a spiritual union with Christ and by the enablement of the spirit. These are some biblical passages that speak volumes of lack of self-control;
In pointing to the way man distorts these issues within. Augustine says that
This is why covetouness and greed are identified as "idolotry" according to the passages of scripture
Ephesians 5:5 -5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:4-5 (KJV)-He exhorts them to subdue their own desires
5 Put to death, then, your members that are upon the earth--whoredom, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry--
2007-11-10 11:43:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Gospel (Good News) of the LORD JESUS Christ, shall never be ruined by any influence or persuasion. The Word of GOD tells us That this Gospel (Good News) will be preached throughout the earth and then shall the end come.
Let me just add, I've noticed the verbal attacks on just about anyone on this site who mentions the Word of GOD or JESUS Christ.
Don't allow these insults on GOD to slow you down.
The LORD warned us; if they hated HIM, they'd hate us too!
Don't ever forget, we were once where these who attack the Gospel are! Let's continue to speak GOD'S Word in love, and pray for their salvation; In JESUS Name, Amen!
2007-11-10 21:32:55 · answer #4 · answered by chapel247 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
American Materialism? I think its a dumb statement. Ruin the gospel in China? what?
2007-11-10 11:43:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It wouldn't ruin the gospel, but in that perspective it could ruin peoples relationship with god.... not like there's no materialism in china anyway...
2007-11-10 12:57:14 · answer #6 · answered by Mike D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay...while I do not want to ruin the gospel it is spitting in the face of all the Americans you helped the Chinese Church grow
2007-11-10 11:41:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
you need to visit china before you say there is no materialism...
2007-11-10 11:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like they're being awfully judgmental and not at all Christlike. I would pray blessings on them anyway.
2007-11-10 11:39:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
We all need to pray for one another.
2007-11-10 11:42:34 · answer #10 · answered by Averell A 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋