The Bible Doesn't Say Anything

[Papa Zoom]

Right. But mowing a lawn, presumably to give it a nice appearance, is not exactly a need we should be concerned with. Feeding the poor, visiting orphans and widows, I agree.

It was a need she had. And she being a widow needed help from someone. Maybe God picked me for that. Either way, there was no reason not to help her with that and it was something she wanted done but couldn't do it herself.

 

[Papa Zoom]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.​

Cutting someone's lawn is an act of kindness.
Somewhere it says: "Love is patient, love is kind..." (1Cor 13)and Jesus said that loving God and your neighbor are the two greatest commandments. (Luk 10:25-28)

iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)


DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

Exactly. I now have several neighbors as I'm at the end of the cul-de-sac. They take care of their yards just fine without me. In fact, one neighbor helps me with my trees and he waters the stuff that's close to his property. I have a young friend from Church that comes over and helps me with my yard work. I'm capable of doing it myself but it's a lot of work and I am 65 and run out of energy. Recently he brought over a small tractor./excavator and helped me clear out some brush. He wants to help me with other projects because he knows I can get things done faster with help. Now that I'm retired the wife has a huge todo list for me. :/

 

[Papa Zoom]

I agree. It's not about cutting someone's lawn. It's about having compassion and showing mercy. The Samaritan had compassion on the man who fell among robbers. He bound his wounds, and he took care of him. Compare that to cutting someone's lawn. I also understand the compassion you felt for this lady. Did you take her into your house? Did you take care of her?

BTW, I really appreciate this reply because it says what I'm trying to communicate but it does a better job. Compassion and mercy! That's the key! Also, we should do both things you mention above (when called to) take care of others in need and help them with things they can't do for themselves (that might involve cutting the lawn or it might not - in my neighbor's case, it did).

However, if all I did was cut her lawn and call it good while neglecting other and "more important" needs, your point is well taken.

 

[MarkT]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.​

Cutting someone's lawn is an act of kindness.
Somewhere it says: "Love is patient, love is kind..." (1Cor 13)and Jesus said that loving God and your neighbor are the two greatest commandments. (Luk 10:25-28)

iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)


DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

Only if you value your own lawn. Which I don't.

Right. Love your neighbour as yourself.

 

[OzSpen]

Is that what you call doing the will of God?

The message of the Bible is compassion for the poor in spirit. It's not mow your lawn or your neighbour's lawn.

To the contrary, Mark, James 2:14-26 (NIRV) claims that a Christian demonstrates his/her faith by doing good works. v. 18 of this passage states, 'Show me your faith that doesn’t cause you to do good deeds. And I will show you my faith by the goods deeds I do'.

So mowing the neighbour's lawn could definitely be part of the good works that follow salvation.

Oz

 

[MarkT]

To the contrary, Mark, James 2:14-26 (NIRV) claims that a Christian demonstrates his/her faith by doing good works. v. 18 of this passage states, 'Show me your faith that doesn’t cause you to do good deeds. And I will show you my faith by the goods deeds I do'.

So mowing the neighbour's lawn could definitely be part of the good works that follow salvation.

Oz

Our work is to care for the needy. If you think that includes cutting our neighbour's lawn or maybe washing our neighbour's car, I can't argue with that. You could be right if there's a need, and you are asked to do it. But mostly it means care for the body's needs like food, shelter and clothing.

Feeding the poor, healing the sick, I can understand. Showing mercy, I can understand. Providing for the needs of the apostles and the prophets who don't have a home or a lawn, I understand.

But how does mowing your neighbour's lawn show your faith? Abraham showed his faith when he offered his son upon the alter, because he believed God. So Abraham was justified. It's hard to compare that to mowing a man's lawn.

Jesus said love your enemies and do good to them. What credit is that to you if you love those who love you, or if you do good to those who do good to you? Even sinners do the same. Luke 6:32-36

So it appears even sinners know how to do good. What makes us different is we are kind to the selfish and the ungrateful as our Father is kind and merciful.

So if you do what Jesus said, that would show your faith.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36

 

[Jim Parker]

But how does mowing your neighbour's lawn show your faith?

If you do it as an act of love unto the Lord then it would be a "good work" which Jesus called "your light" so that people would glorify our Father in heaven. (Mat 5:16)

 

[MarkT]

If you do it as an act of love unto the Lord then it would be a "good work" which Jesus called "your light" so that people would glorify our Father in heaven. (Mat 5:16)

Cutting a lawn is glorifying God? Like I said, even godless sinners do the same.

So you do it to be seen so that people will glorify God?

Matthew 6:1
“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

 

[Jim Parker]

Cutting a lawn is glorifying God? Like I said, even godless sinners do the same.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
​

Do "godless people" do it unto the Lord?

If it is done "as unto the LORD" then it is a "good work" acceptable to God.

So you do it to be seen so that people will glorify God?

I do it in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ who said: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.(Mat 5:16)

So, yes, I "do it to be seen so that people will glorify God" because that is exactly what Jesus said to do and exactly why He said to do it.

iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)


DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

 

[MarkT]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
​

Do "godless people" do it unto the Lord?

If it is done "as unto the LORD" then it is a "good work" acceptable to God.

I do it in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ who said: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.(Mat 5:16)

So, yes, I "do it to be seen so that people will glorify God" because that is exactly what Jesus said to do and exactly why He said to do it.

iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)


DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

My light is my understanding. That's what Jesus said. And my works come from my understanding of his word.

 

[Jim Parker]

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

My light is my understanding. That's what Jesus said. And my works come from my understanding of his word.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.​

That is not what that verse says.

It says "The unfolding of they words GIVES LIGHT" and that same unfolding of God's words "imparts understanding to the simple."

It does not equate "your light" and "your good works" as does Mat 5:16.

In this case, the subject has been good works, not imparting understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130 is talking about an entirely different subject.

iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)


DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

 

[MarkT]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.​

That is not what that verse says.

It says "The unfolding of they words GIVES LIGHT" and that same unfolding of God's words "imparts understanding to the simple."

It does not equate "your light" and "your good works" as does Mat 5:16.

In this case, the subject has been good works, not imparting understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130 is talking about an entirely different subject.

iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)


DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

The post you are reading is my work. Judge for yourself if there is any light in it.

 

[Jim Parker]

The post you are reading is my work. Judge for yourself if there is any light in it.

It seems to me rather dim.
But that's just me; iakov the fool

 

[OzSpen]

Our work is to care for the needy. If you think that includes cutting our neighbour's lawn or maybe washing our neighbour's car, I can't argue with that. You could be right if there's a need, and you are asked to do it. But mostly it means care for the body's needs like food, shelter and clothing.

Feeding the poor, healing the sick, I can understand. Showing mercy, I can understand. Providing for the needs of the apostles and the prophets who don't have a home or a lawn, I understand.

But how does mowing your neighbour's lawn show your faith? Abraham showed his faith when he offered his son upon the alter, because he believed God. So Abraham was justified. It's hard to compare that to mowing a man's lawn.

Jesus said love your enemies and do good to them. What credit is that to you if you love those who love you, or if you do good to those who do good to you? Even sinners do the same. Luke 6:32-36

So it appears even sinners know how to do good. What makes us different is we are kind to the selfish and the ungrateful as our Father is kind and merciful.

So if you do what Jesus said, that would show your faith.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36

Mark,

You ask: 'how does mowing your neighbour's lawn show your faith?' I am not able to mow my own lawn because of a serious heart condition. I can't vacuum and mop the floors of my house because of exhaustion that could precipitated a heart attack. I've had 5 open heart, valve replacement surgeries as a result of 3 bouts of childhood rheumatic fever. A Christian who offers to do this for me is practising his faith through his works.

How will Christians be judged at the end of time?

31 “The Son of Man will come in all his glory. All the angels will come with him. Then he will sit in glory on his throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate the people into two groups. He will be like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep to his right and the goats to his left.

34 “Then the King will speak to those on his right. He will say, ‘My Father has blessed you. Come and take what is yours. It is the kingdom prepared for you since the world was created. 35 I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you invited me in. 36 I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. ‘Lord,’ they will ask, ‘when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' (Matt 25:31-40 NIRV).​

Good works demonstrate genuine faith. They are not what brings us to faith and earns us salvation.

Oz

 

[jasonc]

Cutting a lawn is glorifying God? Like I said, even godless sinners do the same.

So you do it to be seen so that people will glorify God?

Matthew 6:1
“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Sinners also feed the poor.plenty of drunk fundraising for the needy occur here.

 

[MarkT]

It seems to me rather dim.
But that's just me; iakov the fool

Fair enough.

We are not all called to do the same work.

Would you agree there's a difference between saving a person's life and cutting his lawn? Forgiving, showing mercy, lending without expecting a return, that's the kind of thing that glorifies God.

But I also agree we should serve one another.

 

[MarkT]

Sinners also feed the poor.plenty of drunk fundraising for the needy occur here.

Exactly. So why should you get a reward and sinners who do the same thing get nothing? Where's the equity in that?

 

[jasonc]

Exactly. So why should you get a reward and sinners who do the same thing get nothing? Where's the equity in that?

Yet we are judged for not doing that.funny God says do this and ye shall enter into heaven ,that's a reward btw.

Good works without salvation isn't ,salvation with good works is indeed true.

Btw judaism teaches this,and to forgive yor enemies.we aren't the only ones.you have a problem with confusing a work as an example to others.he is a christian because he cared for me,not because he told me.even though words can indicate you care.

I have seen muslims show compassion.alot of the beattitudes are also done by sinners.

 

[Jim Parker]

Would you agree there's a difference between saving a person's life and cutting his lawn?

I would refer you to OzSpen's post above, number 154.

iakov the fool

 

[MarkT]

Yet we are judged for not doing that.funny God says do this and ye shall enter into heaven ,that's a reward btw.

Good works without salvation isn't ,salvation with good works is indeed true.

Btw judaism teaches this,and to forgive yor enemies.we aren't the only ones.you have a problem with confusing a work as an example to others.he is a christian because he cared for me,not because he told me.even though words can indicate you care.

I have seen muslims show compassion.alot of the beattitudes are also done by sinners.

The point is even sinners do the same. But Jesus said, to enter the kingdom, our righteousness has to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees and the scribes.

So Jesus said, to be sons of God, we must love our enemy and do good to those who hate us. He said we should forgive men their trespasses so our trespasses should be forgiven. There are many such sayings to teach us what to do, how to pray, where to pray (in secret), how to fast (wash your face and anoint your head that your fasting may not be seen by men), what to treasure (the word of God).

So before you start doing good deeds, seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God.