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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 8:48:18 PM | I get quoted this scripture by people who have blind faith. People clearly read way to much into it.
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
The birds and the higher animals of this world, still need to look for food. If they can't find food they die, that simple. You has a human being are suppost to put forth effort, and by doing so you will be taken care of.
The power here is that god gave you and the birds a brain. Expecting to be taken care of without any effort, is foolish. Look at the speacies that go extict in this world. If you don't put forth the proper effort, then god will allow you to go the way of the dinosaur. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 9:09:45 PM | Next thing I know you'll be saying that 'God helps those who help themselves'
Some passages suggest that one should be reliant on the Lord instead of ourselves.
Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool... | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 9:55:11 PM |
The power here is that god gave you and the birds a brain.
Apparently he gave some people bird brains, then they bought TV's & tuned into the evangelical channels..  | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 10:20:40 PM | What Matthew 6:26 speaks to me about is trust in Life to provide us with what we really need, that Life is giving and dependable (I use the capital L to signify "Source"...you could also say God). The verse follows Mt. 6:19 and 6:20, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." And another verse suggests not obsessing so much about what we're going to eat or drink, or what clothes we're going to wear.
In other words, what's really important in life? The earthly treasures--our toys and all that we think we need but may not? Or treasures we lay up in heaven, IMO the heaven of our personal consciousness and experience right here and now, not in some heaven after death; letting one's consciousness and experience be clear and full of love and light so we can share that with others around us who're open to that in different daily ways. Life provides for the birds and lifeforms of so many levels on earth, and "Are ye not much better than they?" So, I think it's like He's saying, "Relax, Life's got your back." As a matter of fact, having knowledge and experience of these things, I think that makes us responsible for this planet and the life on it.
Later in that verse--I'm paraphrasing here big time--Jesus said, don't sweat the small stuff, because your heavenly Father knows what you need, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." If I seek the highest and live my life to my highest vision, I'll be more connected to Source and more in position--or more awake--to receive what Source would have me receive. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 10:28:11 PM | Next thing I know you'll be saying that 'God helps those who help themselves'
He does...
Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool...
Relying on god to guide you, and expecting him to put forth all the effort for you is two different things. The brain is an interesting thing. You can store both useful and useless information alike. When putting forth effort in your daily lifes, you need to draw upon usful information given to you by god.
Matthew 15:14 (NIV)
14Leave them; they are blind guides.[a] If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 10:46:01 PM |
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Squirrels collect and store nuts for the winter. Bees collect pollen and store it as honey.
Ants collect wheat, seeds, dead flies, and other food and store it for the winter. Dogs bury bones. Bears eat massive quantities of fish during the spring & summer months to help them survive the winter.
Now if God feeds "the birds of the air", but not the squirrels, I guess God has something against squirrels.
Which is more likely: God hates squirrels or Matthew doesn't know what he's talking about? | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 11:00:16 PM | Do you really think that makes any sense? That's like a little child crying -you don't like me because ....
I have read a lot about blind followings , but I don't think it's the Christians.
These different posts have really shown me what a weird world we live in. It's funny you think Christianity is far fetched --- think about your own relgions. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 11:07:25 PM |
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Well, like it was put near the beginning of Monty Python's Life of Brian, it's not meant to be taken literally (though we're not considering the verse about "Blessed are the cheesemakers!")
My take on this is, if a person feels the need to hoard or be possessive about what we think is so valuable--objects or even another person--then that person is not trusting Life, which offers all that we really need every day, and they're not letting themselves have a larger experience. And if we put first things first, we'll have a more accurate perspective on life and what we really need, even though we may at times feel a bit squirrely about that. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/1/2008 11:28:48 PM |
Matthew 6:26 (NIV)
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
This scripture teaches us that we shouldnt worry about our needs. (our, meaning the children of God)
It does not teach us to sit on our bums and expect cheeseburgers to fall from Glory.
It also teaches us that, in the eyes of the God of the Bible, man has more value than animal.
(very important) | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 6:01:51 AM |
This scripture teaches us that we shouldnt worry about our needs. (our, meaning the children of God)
Not having your needs met often results in life of misery, and ultimately death. Therefore, if we don't want misery, poverty, illnesses, etc., we should be worried about our needs. Each human being has needs, and each human being should try to fulfill those needs to the best of their ability. Where one falls short, those who are better off, if so choose to, can help.
If the scripture teaches us to not worry about our wants, that's something else. But it doesn't. Instead, it seems to teach us to ignore responsibility - to ignore to take care of oneself. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 7:16:57 AM | If the scripture teaches us to not worry about our wants, that's something else. But it doesn't. Instead, it seems to teach us to ignore responsibility - to ignore to take care of oneself.
Feel free to force your biased interpretation on the verse. It is after all, your right. But don't suppose yourself capable or qualified to tell those who know it better - and in context - what it really means. Others have clearly stated it means "don't worry", as in 'fret' or 'be anxious' about your needs. that's the clear and obvious context of the verse. If you want it to say "no personal responsibility", that's for you. The irony of it all is that you'll be personally responsible for that interpretation. 
As an aside, this is another example of someone who doesn't believe in or follow the Christian teaching demonising (though the above is "demonising lite") the followers or the teaching in order to present it and them as flawed. But what the presenter never seems to get is that they set themselves up as the sole interpreter of the Scripture and they show what they would do, not what Christians actually do. We've had one person say that if they were a Christian they would rape, steal, and kill because they would be forgiven -- which says more about their personal morals than anything "Christian". | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 8:09:08 AM | You cannot build a teaching or a doctrine on one isolated verse. That is the root of error.
Along with Matthew 6:26 , it is also written "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:10)
God supplies the seed (inside of the fruit or plant) and built within each seed the ability to multiply. We must do the sowing to reap a harvest. If a farmer does not plant, he will not reap...very simple. But, he plants and trusts God for the harvest, that is where the faith comes in.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
The majority of us are not farmers and we do not plant seeds to grow our food, but we pay the farmer (indirectly) for his labor with the wages from the work we have done when we buy our food. Someone has to do the work to produce the harvest.
Faith in God is NOT passive, it is active. Faith does not consist of sitting on our spiritual butts and expecting food to pour out of heaven into our hands. God CAN do that , and on occasion He has, but it is not the pattern He has established for normal life. Faith is actively believing and trusting God for His provision as we do our part. We work, God blesses the work of our hands. That is the principle and pattern woven throughout the entire Bible. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 8:51:16 AM | Here's an idea.
Why don't atheists write a bible?
Then they can quote their own scripture to prove they are right.
News Flash:
Atheists have published a bible whose contents prove it is the infallible word of atheists.
Every passage of the bible is open to interpretation.
Including Matt 6:26
Even the commentaries of interpretations are open to interpretation.
It's all about who or what you want to believe. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 10:09:40 AM | Not having your needs met often results in life of misery, and ultimately death. Therefore, if we don't want misery, poverty, illnesses, etc., we should be worried about our needs. By expressing fear or worry, a believer shows lack of faith in their God.
This is often spoke of as sinful in the Bible, especially by JC.
Jesus Himself, said that we are "so little of faith" when we doubt His ability to provide for us.
Ultimately this battle is of the mind, and takes place in the mind , and as Christians, we will doubtfully endure any other battle so difficult. I do not think many of us will have total victory, this side of Glory, but we should daily continue to attempt to gain ground.
Fear, worry, doubt and non belief are feelings that we, as Christians, must fight against. Again, this battle is won or lost in the mind, where we are instructed to be renewed by the Word of God, meaning to meditate on scripture that teaches us not to fear.
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 11:19:56 AM | ^Such as these..
Matthew 28:5
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:30
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 5:10
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Luke 8:50
But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Luke 12:7
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 18:4
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
John 12:15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
Acts 27:24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Revelation 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last.. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 12:43:52 PM |
Every passage of the bible is open to interpretation.
Including Matt 6:26
Even the commentaries of interpretations are open to interpretation.
It's all about who or what you want to believe.
That is a true statement. But, if you want to get even close to the TRUTH then there are rules of interpretation, just as there are rules of grammar or math. You can write a sentence any way you choose, the words will let you, but it may or may not be understandable or convey the meaning you intended. If you want to solve an algebra problem you follow the rules to get the right answer. Logic dictates this.
If you want to pick verses here and there out of context or as a stand alone text, you can make the Bible say anything you want. It is called "Bible Roulette".
Example..Verse #1 And Judas went out and hung himself.
Verse #2 Go thou and do likewise
Verse #3 What thou doest, do speedily. (KJV)
They are all found in the Bible, but is that the intended meaning of each text? I think not.
There is a standard of interpretation which is applied (the rules of Exegesis) for those who regard the Bible as the final authority. You let the Bible interpret itself by comparing scripture with scripture, rather than approaching it with your preconceived ideas and "Proof-texting" those ideas. The WORDS are the FINAL authority, not YOUR interpretations of the words. For those who choose NOT to use the Bible as the final authority, then this entire discussion is a moot point because they can make it mean or say anything they want. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 2:52:05 PM | But, if you want to get even close to the TRUTH then there are rules of interpretation, just as there are rules of grammar or math. First off, the rules of grammar and math are imo not rules of interpretation. Second imo, the rules for interpreting the bible are like rules for guarding the hen house written by the foxes. It's like saying I wrote a book and this is the way you have to interpret it to understand what I said, but you can only use the rules I say you can use to interpret it otherwise your interpretation is wrong because you aren't using the rules I said you had to use.
The best way to interpret the bible is to read several versions of the bible. If the bible needs interpretation, what good is the bible? Telling your followers you and only you have the key of knowledge is the best way to ensure they never learn the TRUTH.
If you want to pick verses here and there out of context or as a stand alone text, you can make the Bible say anything you want. You mean like a lot of religious people do? | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 5:53:38 PM |
Feel free to force your biased interpretation on the verse.
Thanks for the approval, but it's really not me... though I'm occasionally guilty. That said, I'm not sure how I forced my interpretation on anyone... What's more, it would be nice to have a decent debate/conversation.
But don't suppose yourself capable or qualified to tell those who know it better - and in context - what it really means.
As I said, it would be nice to talk about these things. I don't know what it really means. Do you? Does anyone?
Others have clearly stated it means "don't worry", as in 'fret' or 'be anxious' about your needs.
It is you who thinks "don't worry" means not to fret or not to be anxious. And I think it is a good point. But you must able to see that "don't worry" can also have the interpretation of "no personal responsibility".
The irony of it all is that you'll be personally responsible for that interpretation.
Correct.
I think you think I actually endorse irresponsibility. Not the case. I wanted to point out that one can easily make an absurd interpretation that is semi-justified - something I tried even in my previous post. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 6:12:15 PM |
By expressing fear or worry, a believer shows lack of faith in their God.
Ok.
This is often spoke of as sinful in the Bible, especially by JC.
Ok.
One must try to avoid sin, right? (Rhetorical) And fearing or worrying is sinful, as you just pointed out, right? To avoid sin, one must be careful about one's actions, right? Being careful implies worry. But worrying is sinful.
Isn't there a fallacy here?
I think fear is natural. Sometimes I can control fear, other times it is out of my control... I hate to think I'm sinful for something out of my control.
I'm all for courage, and trying to over come fear. But you know what, fearing the right things can save your life. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 7:36:20 PM | By expressing fear or worry, a believer shows lack of faith in their God.
Does fearing god show a lack of faith in god?
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul;
but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 8:04:41 PM | Whenever an angelic being showed up in front of a man or woman, the first thing they said was ,"Do not be afraid." Why? Because the natural, normal human response was to be startled and afraid. Being afraid is not a sin; fear of the unknown can be a healthy response by which one can avoid danger. Choosing to remain and to live in fear is a sign of unbelief. Being afraid is sometimes unavoidable. Remaining in fear is a choice.
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The word for FEAR in this verse means to be in awe or reverence. It does not mean to cower in a fearful state. We reverence and are in awe of God because of who He is. The Greek language, in which most of the New Testament was written, is a much richer language than English. There are several words with shades of meaning which are all translated into English as fear.
Same thing with the word love . English has one word--LOVE. Greek has 3 words: Agape, eros and Phileo, all expressing a different types of love (spiritual, brotherly and erotic/romantic). To get the precise meaning, go back to the Greek root and take the word/verse in its context. | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 8:46:46 PM | The word for FEAR in this verse means to be in awe or reverence. It does not mean to cower in a fearful state.
Another case of the bible really doesn't say what it says.
Good thing we have a well educated, experienced bible translator in our mist.
Otherwise if we just read the bible we would be lost.
When are christians going to get a bible that says what god intended??
Amazing that people who believe in a god and that the bible is
the inspired word of that god can interpret his words so poorly.
I pity the poor soul that has to place their salvation on what the bible says.
The should find someone else to tell them what the bible "really" says.
It would save them a lot of misreading.
Wait! Isn't that what most christians do every Sunday in church.
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 9:17:29 PM |
When are christians going to get a bible that says what god intended??
We have one now. Read it the original languages ( Hebrew , Greek and Aramaic) to get exactly what was written and avoid all of those nasty little translation problems or trust learned scholars trained in the languages and in translation.
Amazing that people who believe in a god and that the bible is
the inspired word of that god can interpret his words so poorly.
What credentials qualify you to say that we are interpreting His words poorly? Based on what criteria? | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 9:33:22 PM | This is often spoke of as sinful in the Bible, especially by JC.
Ok.
One must try to avoid sin, right? (Rhetorical) And fearing or worrying is sinful, as you just pointed out, right? To avoid sin, one must be careful about one's actions, right? Being careful implies worry. But worrying is sinful.
Obeying God and being careful have little in common, my friend. During the most obedient times in my life, I done so out of love, faithfulness and reverence, not fear.
So, no.
I think fear is natural. Sometimes I can control fear, other times it is out of my control... I hate to think I'm sinful for something out of my control. Feeling fear and acting on fear are two separate things, and again, this command is to Christians, not nonbelievers, there is a big difference for what applies to me may very well not apply to a nonbeliever .
I'm all for courage, and trying to over come fear. But you know what, fearing the right things can save your life.
Toche, my friend. Fearing He Who can save both the body and the soul can save your life...in more ways than one.
y expressing fear or worry, a believer shows lack of faith in their God.
Does fearing god show a lack of faith in god?
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul;
but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Referring to Him (being God, the Father), yes, one should fear.
But we were speaking of fearing "being taken care of" by the Father, not the Father Himself, were we not? | |
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| Matthew 6:26
Posted: 7/2/2008 10:39:03 PM | What credentials qualify you to say that we are interpreting His words poorly? Based on what criteria? Oh, I don't know. Maybe because bible believers are always saying the bible doesn't mean what it says. That you have to read the original language to understand it. That is if you can find the original bible to read. Not one that was written thousands of years after the fact or a most a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy of the original. | |
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