Wrong Direction Christians

And He spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?  Luke, Chapter 6, verse 39.

Sometimes we get into a routine of doing whatever everyone else is doing.  If they are going to a particular church, we try it out.  If our friends use God’s Name in vain, we forget what we learned in Sunday school while we were growing up and start using His Name in vain too.  If everyone else is doing it, it must not be all that bad.  Right???
Instead of following Wrong Direction Christians, we need to make sure the people we choose to follow are those who make choices God would approve of, or we just might be following someone right to Hell (the ditch).  That definitely isn’t the direction I want to go!

Here is a related passage:


*Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind, And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.  Matthew, Chapter 15, verse 14.


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Financial Gain Christians

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.  Luke, Chapter 6, verses 37-38.

This message reminds me that I would NOT want God to judge me by the same standards I use to judge other people.  I’m very thankful that He reminds me of this, because I often find myself being critical or judgmental of others.
When we genuinely give to others out of our need, God will always make sure we are provided for.  This is a miracle unto itself, similar to the loaves and fishes.  I do have some concerns though.  There are some supposed churches that promote giving to others as a plan to get financial reward in return.  Financial Gain Christians talk to their parishioners about giving lots of money to the church or to causes in order to get great wealth for their good deeds.  Well, this is God we are talking about and He’s all-knowing.  He can tell when we are genuinely giving to others and when we are giving to others with ulterior motives.  You can’t con God!

Here are some related passages:
*And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?  This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him.  But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not.  So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone; and the woman standing in the midst.  When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?  hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord.  And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the World: He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.  John, Chapter 8, verses 3-12.
*Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to Truth against them which commit such things.  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  Romans, Chapter 2, verses 1-3.


*Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 1-2.


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Example Christian

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye?  for sinners also love those that love them.  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye?  for sinners also do even the same.  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye?  for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  Luke, Chapter 6, verses 31-36.

God is telling us He wants us to be nice, considerate and giving to everyone, especially those who aren’t nice, considerate and giving to us.  He says it’s easy to be giving to people who are nice to us, so that’s not very difficult.  We are really doing a bigger thing when we are giving to those we don’t care for, those who aren’t nice to us or those who don’t look like people we would ever associate with.  I can’t say I always do this, but I pray that God gives me the willingness to be the Example Christian that He wants me to be to others, especially those I’m reluctant to interact with.


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Respectful Christian

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. Luke, Chapter 6, verse 30.

I think God wants us to give freely to those in need.  I’m not sure about the interpretation of the second part of this passage.  I have taken it to be an answer to a dilemma I have with giving to others.  I think there is a fine line between empowering and enabling.  There are times when a person gives to others and it empowers them, giving them a hand-up to be the best they can be.  Then there are times where you give to others and it creates an enabling dependency that is counterproductive and isn’t healthy for that person.  So I don’t give to people I think are going to use the money to buy another bottle or to people who are deliberately trying to take advantage of me or scam me.
I’m not sure that’s what the second part of this passage was really saying and I apologize if I’m misleading anyone, but that’s the way I have taken it.  A good rule of thumb is to trust the instincts that God gives you.  I try to let those instincts guide me in giving.  Don’t forget giving isn’t only of our money.  Sometimes giving is by treating others with respect or taking the time to listen to their story whether you’ve heard similar stories a million times over.  Giving of your time by being there for someone else when they need someone in their corner can be a much more powerful thing than any monetary gift.  Sometimes people who are down and out just need a hand-up, a little respect and a smile or two.
(As I read this passage while I’m editing the book, I wonder if God doesn’t want us to give even if we think someone is going to buy another bottle.  Who are we to say whether our kindness might leave a positive impact on that person which goes far beyond anything we might ever realize.  As I said originally, as Respectful Christians, trust the instincts that God gives you on this subject.  Those will be right for your situation.)


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.