From where in scripture do you derive this proper order?
Mark 12:30 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Ephesians 6:2 "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;"
Matthew 19:5 "And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?"
There are too many other scriptures indicating God is first and then family. It wouldn't make sense to break down and put your church's needs before your family. It's a no brainer.
The Bible states that single women can pay attention to the things of the Lord, but a married woman must attend to her husband. This tells me that a married woman with or without children has a different set of priorities than the single woman.
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This is very true, and it also says that an unmarried man would have more time to devote to the things of God.
I agree. I know of a church in particular that had a man teaching false doctrine to the youth while the pastor was unaware. Most of those young people (and the teacher) left, and either backslid or went to non-Apostolic churches.
So in this case, the church may be a bit gun-shy.
It will do it to you, for sure. Takes time to heal and trust after some incidences.
You sisters just don't seem to understand... (PO & MB)
When you have a contract you no longer need the scriptures. The pastor has taken the time and gone through the trouble to condense the major points in scripture down to a one page document.
You no longer have to worry with those pesky scriptures... They may cause disagreement and contention anyway.
Just review the contract from time to time to ensure that you are acting as you should and all is well.
I equate some things with my personal relationship with God, e.g., Priority 1.
Some of those things are:
1. Being faithful to assemble.
2. Giving generously.
3. Charitable acts.
However, as a musician and singer, I feel that expressing my talents, or using my talents in a secondary ministry is NOT and should not be placed ahead of my devotion to my home, husband and children. Women in particular have biblical responsibilities, and they should not neglect them in service to the church.
The Bible states that single women can pay attention to the things of the Lord, but a married woman must attend to her husband. This tells me that a married woman with or without children has a different set of priorities than the single woman.
Furthermore, what kind of witness am I to my husband, children and community if I neglect the very things God has placed in my hands to care for?
One of the requirements for a bishop is that he rule his household well.
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
This makes it clear that a man must FIRST rule his own house, and then he might be capable of taking care of the church of God.
And of course, we all know that "rule" doesn't just entail being a boss.
God first. Family second. Church obligations third. I agree with those priorities, and I do believe there is bible for that order.
We do not disagree, although many would include attendance at church in the third priority category. You see it as a apart of your relationship to God, as does my family.
This was what caused me to pose my original question. I believe you can reference the context of my question from the prior posts.
__________________ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Gal 5:13-15/ NKJV)
This is very true, and it also says that an unmarried man would have more time to devote to the things of God.
Do you have that reference?
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
We do not disagree, although many would include attendance at church in the third priority category. You see it as a apart of your relationship to God, as does my family.
This was what caused me to pose my original question. I believe you can reference the context of my question from the prior posts.
Sure. But if you do believe that ministry, above and beyond simple Christianity should come before devotion and obligation to family, then we wouldn't agree. (on that)
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
You sisters just don't seem to understand... (PO & MB)
When you have a contract you no longer need the scriptures. The pastor has taken the time and gone through the trouble to condense the major points in scripture down to a one page document.
You no longer have to worry with those pesky scriptures... They may cause disagreement and contention anyway.
Just review the contract from time to time to ensure that you are acting as you should and all is well.
LOL! That's not necessarily true.
Many think it's the same thing as the rules/policy you follow in a secular world and don't feel there is anything wrong with the church having it's set of rules/policy as well.
The extent of this referenced contract makes me uncomfortable because - it has a connotation of stripping me of my identity and putting me in a box that also makes me feel hard pressed to follow after the spirit with freedom/abandon.
The contract, IMO, is inherently a bottling up in the heart of the leadership. I've never seen it come forth any other way, in my experience.