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Bill writes:

To answer your specific question of how your comments fit into what I said: (and again my assumptions of what you say may be totally wrong).

Wes wrote: ”When you take the rewards of their labors… “

Calvin says in the institutes, "It may look to us that we can attain honor or riches through our own industry, or strenuous exertion, or through the favor of others; yet, it is certain that all these things are nothing themselves, and that we shall not make any headway by our insight or by our labors, but in so far as the Lord shall prosper both"

I take that to mean that neither you or I have earned whatever we have, but that it is a gift from God. One gets their "rewards" not from their labors but as a direct blessing of God.

Thanks for replying and sharing a little bit of your background in your reply. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> If I understand your position, you propose that we Christians need to rethink our view. I agree with you that those who hold a view declaring themselves to be neutral are deceiving themselves, for there is no such thing. But I’m not sure I understand your conclusion.

For example even though everything we have is a gift from God, whether that be an able body or mind, are you suggesting that we still should hold everything in common with our neighbor? Should a hard working man share his possession with a lazy man? Is socialism appealing to you?


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts