Firstly, YELLING LOUDLY this is not an anti-Catholic muse. It is, rather, an honest appeal for understanding. Yesterday, a colleague who is a self-described practicing Catholic was competing for an account. He got the business. When informed of his success, he commented, “well, that is going to cost me.”
When I asked him why that was he told me that he had made a deal with God, that if he got the account he would sponsor two more starving African children. I was appalled at the thought of brokering a deal with God (tho some underwriters do refer to me as the broker from Hell).
It occurs to me that my ignorance of the Catholic faith may be colouring my judgement. Perhaps this is an accepted procedure and being an open minded and humble lad, I should not be offended.
I confess (pun intended) that I find the whole idea of making deals with God somewhat unseemly. Can someone set me straight?
08 Feb 2003 at 05:44 pm | #
<more>
There Are 6 ESSENTIALS for the Christian DOING BUSINESS FOR GOD.
I. THE CONVICTIONS WE MUST HAVE.
Matt 13:46 .... “ pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
We must be Convicted About 2 Things.
(a). Value Of The Gospel I’m Trying To Market.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL OF CHRIST: for it is the POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION to EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
I Cor 15:1-5 ... The Gospel. Romans 1:16 .. “Not Ashamed”
(b). Vastness For The Gospel I’m Trying Mandate.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, and PREACH THE GOSPEL to EVERY CREATURE.
1. The Gospel Is Committed To Us.
1 Tim 1:11 According to the GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED GOD, which WAS COMMITTED TO MY TRUST.
1. An Enemy To Hid The Gospel.
2 Cor 4:3-4 But if OUR GOSPEL BE HID, it is HID TO THEM THAT ARE LOST: In whom the GOD OF THIS WORLD HATH BLINDED THE MINDS of them which BELIEVE NOT, lest the LIGHT OF THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL of Christ, who is the image of God, should SHINE UNTO THEM.
Gal 1:8 But though WE, or an ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL UNTO YOU than that which we have preached unto you, let HIM BE ACCURSED. {“let him be damned”}
3. God Will Get Out The Gospel If Need Use Angels.
Rev 14:6And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, HAVING THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL TO PREACH unto them that DWELL ON THE EARTH, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
II. THE CONTACTS WE MUST MAKE
Acts 20:20 And how I KEPT BACK NOTHING THAT WAS PROFITABLE UNTO YOU, but have SHEWED YOU, and have TAUGHT YOU PUBLICKLY, and FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE,
Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD FOR A WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS; and then shall the end come.
Luke 10:1-2 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them TWO AND TWO BEFORE HIS FACE INTO EVERY CITY AND PLACE, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The HARVEST TRULY IS GREAT, but the LABOURERS ARE FEW: PRAY YE THEREFORE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST, that he would SEND FORTH LABOURERS INTO HIS HARVEST. {ILL: Hope Baptist}
John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I ALSO SENT THEM INTO THE WORLD.
III. THE COMPETITION WE MAY FACE.
Matt 7:15 Beware of FALSE PROPHETS, which come to you in SHEEP’S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENING WOLVES.
2 Pet 2:1 But there were FALSE PROPHETS ALSO AMONG THE PEOPLE, even as there shall be FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU, who PRIVILY SHALL BRING IN DAMNABLE HERESIES, even DENYING THE LORD THAT BOUGHT them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
IV. THE COURAGE I MUST HAVE.
Matt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES: be ye therefore WISE AS SERPENTS, AND HARMLESS AS DOVES.
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES ENTER IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK.
ILL: What Does It Take To STOP US: ..... Process of Elimination.
V. THE COSTS I MUST SHOULDER.
VI. THE CONFIDENCE I MUST HAVE.
John 14:26 But the COMFORTER, WHICH IS THE HOLY GHOST, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, AND BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, BEING EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS UNTO YOUR CHILDREN: how much more shall your HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THEM THAT ASK HIM?
08 Feb 2003 at 07:22 pm | #
I’m not here. No really, I’m not.
08 Feb 2003 at 07:50 pm | #
<chuckle>..strange, I thought I saw you.
08 Feb 2003 at 08:07 pm | #
Oh, you must be mistaken. T’wouldn’t be me. After all, I’m not here. No, really, I’m not.. <snicker>…
09 Feb 2003 at 06:28 pm | #
The oddest thing about “the deal with God” is the presumption that God is interested in the bargain. I have seen a great t-shirt “God helps me trick people”. The bargain maker really is considering God his inferior who must obey the rules set by the bargain maker. Gods response might be “give all you have to the poor and then give me a call” but would the bargain maker accept such insolence? This also has nothing to do with Catholicism as Protestants also seem to believe they can push God around in the same way.