A Point of View

   Woke up this morning and started my 2 block walk over to the coffee shop to have a cup or two. On my way I passed by the little neighborhood store on the corner and even though it's 8 in the morning there is an old man, about 70, thin and frail, sitting out in front, already having a beer and it makes me wonder. What drives an old man like that to drink this early in the morning?
   Just how bad could that man's life be now that drives him to be compelled to drink this early in the morning? Is he homeless? Does he have no relatives? What could it be and what kind of society are we that stops us from wanting to find out and help him in anyway we can?
   I re-posted a picture on Facebook yesterday which I'll include here and it started a hailstorm of replies and interaction by my Facebook fans. Here they are;
   Sam; I concur! Tax them away...It's ridiculous to have such a massive home
   Steven; I don't like this preacher very much so I did a little research was blown away...Guy doesn't take a cent from his church. His books and investments make him millions a year.....
   Kevin; He doesn't "take a cent from his church" but he pockets the millions the church gets paid from tv network contracts.
   Steven; And that money is taxed. What I'm saying is generally a pastor receives his income from a portion of the tithes he gets through the congregation... What people should be worried about his how if the feel convicted to care for the poor(which is a joke in this country) then they should do it themselves rather than forcefully tax someone else. You don't get spiritual points for making someone else do it
   Mark; If they can afford an arena they can be taxed
   Joel; he doesnt take money from the church thats his personal wealth, and not every church looks like that, most churches our modest, most pastors salaries are modest,   
  Hollywoodr; And that makes it ok
   Joel; that makes what ok? churches are built with after taxed dollars so the money has already been taxed...thats the whole reason for them to be tax exempt
   Joel; the same as any nonprofit when you give your money to a church it goes to the community, everybody talks about Lakewood and how big it is but does anyone know how much they're ministry in dollars help the City of Houston and ministries around the world? I don't
   Hollywoodr;It's hard for someone to be truly humble if the live in a $40 plus Million Dollar Home
   Joel; Thats between him and God, but I truly believe that even if I was that rich I could remain humble whether I have money or not. We no one to judge a man by his wealth only God knows his heart. I would pray that if I became rich I would hope people would not judge me in that matter. Lastly, I know people who are not rich who have more pride and are not humble at all...js
    Hollywoodr; It would be hard for me going to sleep at night in a $40 Million Dollar home knowing that much of my money could be better spend on making others lives much better. Your right, but when your before HIM how will you explain that ?
   Steven; that doesn't make sense bro...If we are gonna talk about judgment then I gotta add no where in the bible does it say you can't enjoy the gifts given to you. That you have to feel guilty about success...There's a parable about talents in the book of Luke. Talks about those who serve the lord and are faithful with what you have been given you will be given much more.
   Hollywoodr; Sadly, One Can Not know what being humble is without guilt. In life, Guilt is good. For without guilt there would be no need to follow and GOD given rules or the laws of the land. Guilt is here to keep us humble and if after reading and pondering on the Bible long enough if we come to the determination that living in a $40 Million home while so many others sleep in the street is acceptable them we must go back and read and ponder on the Holy Book over and over again because we surly must be missing something somewhere.
   Steven; Guilt is very different than conviction.
A Christian should only feel guilt if they have done wrong or sinned. And even after once you confess your sins an repent it is said that your sins are forgiven.
You think the home out ways the good he has done? Again I'm not a fan of his but I gotta admit I used to be very critical of him till I looked into him and his life
   What is funny is no one would care if he wasn't a preacher and made millions and had a big house but everyone wants to judge and condemn him for being successful
Hollywoodr; I would and do care but, true men of the cloth are even more accountable. And just for a second, forget everything else. Your standing in front of GOD after living in your $40 Million home for years while other go with out food, medical care and a place to sleep, and GOD asks you, was there anything you can think you could have done to further help your fellow man. How will you answer? Too often people forget, it's not about the number of souls we save that counts it's about the one's we could have saved instead and chose not to. Just a Point of View.

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