Are You Paid An Unfair Wage?

Do you feel that you are paid unfairly for the job you are doing? Does someone else make more money for the same type of work? Are you concerned about the so called "golden parachutes" of corporate executives?

Next time these thoughts come to mind, consider the following parable...

"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:1-16

Picketing Theology

I recently saw a photograph posted on Facebook of a picketing sign which read, "Obama is not a brown-skinned anti-war socialist who gives away free health care. + You're thinking of Jesus. +"

Four people had indicated that they liked the sign and another individual had posted a favorable comment which read, "THAT is fabulous!"

With six people expressing favor for the sign (I'm including the person who originally posted the photo in the count), not seeing the obvious errors in the message, I was compelled to respond, "Jesus was neither anti-war (see Revelation) nor socialist (see Mosaic Law)."

A seventh supporter of the misguided picketing sign replied, "Words in red Dan. Jesus did not write either of those books." Another wrote, "Perhaps. However, the first person accounts of the Jesus described in the bible portray him as a person who more closely resembles a tolerant, peaceful, loving person who wanted people to care for each other (John 15:12)."

I replied, "Since Jesus is a member of the triune God, and since all Scripture is God breathed (inspired), in order to have a comprehensive picture of God's very nature, you must take the whole counsel of God into account (Genesis through Revelation). God the Son has the same nature as God the Father."

Their Response

"I am compelled to point out that your are stating an opinion rather than a fact in saying that what we know as the bible is the inspired word of the Christian god. But that is an argument for another day. What perplexes me is that you seem to be saying that since Jesus and the god of the Old Testament are the same person than we must assume that Jesus while kind and loving at times was also angry, vindictive, misogynistic and genocidal. And that is what we should aspire to?"

My Response

"...if a member of your family had a horrific crime done to them (i.e. murder, rape, etc.), and at the trial the judge passed the appropriate sentence on the perpetrator, would you categorize the judge as "angry, vindictive, misogynistic and genocidal"?

God, the Creator, has provided us with His law as well as the penalty for violating the law. He has stated the penalty for violating the law is death. As king, lawgiver and judge, He alone retains the right to pass sentence on the lawbreaker whenever He chooses.

We, as humans, are all lawbreakers. As a result, we are guilty and it is just a matter of time before our day in court. God as a just judge will pass sentence as dictated by the law. The good news is that God, having love and compassion for mankind, provided a way to escape the judgment required by the law in that He placed the death penalty on His own Son. In doing so, the penalty for violating the law was satisfied (the fine paid) by Jesus so that men and women could go free. We have a choice. To appropriate Jesus payment for our guilt or to reject the offer.

One more thing... my purpose in responding to this post was to point out that the person who made the sign in the photograph, does not have an accurate understanding of the nature of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible.

Regardless of one's religious beliefs, the Bible is regarded as the primary source of information for understanding the tenants of Christianity, including the very nature of the God and Jesus Christ. If we were to be discussing any other historical figure, we would expect this same level of academic rigor be applied to published statements, articles, books, etc.

My explanations above are intended to clarify the misinformation published by the individual in the photograph."

Their Response

"Dan: I think you are making a Straw Man argument. Let me ask you a question: is mass murder justified if it is done in the name of god? There are numerous accounts of mass extermination of human life in the bible which are exalted by Christians as examples of god's judgment on mankind for lack of belief while also serving as an example of his love for his followers. Do you really think that the children in Jericho were guilty of horrific crimes?"

My Response

Although I am getting way off my intended purpose of correcting the assumptions contained in the photograph, let me attempt to address your valid questions, and let me say, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do so.

First, let's look at the assumptions contained in your previous post:

"...judgment for the lack of belief..."

Never in the Bible is judgment passed for a lack of belief...not in the past, present or future. Judgment is passed because of the violation of law.

"...example of his love for his followers."

In the history of the United States, Congress has declared war and Presidents have sent our military into battle many times. We do not look at the war on Nazi Germany and criticize the United States for not demonstrating love. In fact, one might argue that the United States was demonstrating love for not only the Jewish people, but the many countries of Europe which were ravaged by the Germans at that time. War does not indicate an absence of love. Likewise one might conclude that a just judge that passes sentence on a criminal is demonstrating love for the victim.

"...mass murder justified..."

War and murder are two very different things. Governments and nations rightfully bear the sword (have the ability to declare war) to defend itself, to defend the weak or the execute justice. Was dropping the bomb on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor justified? Were the children of Japan guilty? Of course they were not, yet they were the casualties of the war of their fathers."

More to Come...

Search Your Feelings

An old school buddy recently wrote me, "Nobody has ever died and come back from the dead 3 days later. It is a myth, a fable, a legend- deep down you kow this. I know there is hope for you, you can become enlightened. Search your feelings my old friend."

My Response

Deep down I know the resurection to be true, and this is evidence of the work of Almighty God in the very core of my being. He has birthed this conviction in me and nothing can separate it from me. I cannot explain the reason for this confidence.

"Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." - Genesis 15

It is not blindly that I believe, for I have pondered many things in my 39 years. And the more I learn, the less I know. The universe is too vast, the complexities too precise, the mysteries too profound for there not to be a God.

Mankind probably knows less than 1% (and that's probably extremely generous) of everything there is to know in the universe. This is why the Psalmist wrote "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God." Someone would have to have comprehensive knowledge to make a categorical statement like this.

I am enlightened. The glorious light of Truth has illuminated my heart and mind to the point of unwavering commitment.

George Lucas will eventually come to know that the "Force" has a name...his name is Yaweh, Jehovah, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Alpha and Omega, the Bright and Morning Star, Elohim, the Great I Am.

Abraham knows Him, Moses knows Him, King David knows Him, I know him, and you, my friend, can know Him too.

The Education Model

At the university I attended in the early 90's, I had a phychology professor that talked about the "Medical Model" in America. One of the concepts he was attempting to convey was that most Americans, when one of their family members gets a sniffle, immediately run to the doctor and follow whatever advice the doctor prescribes.

I've come to realize that we have an "Education Model" in our culture too. Children are taught that in order to be successful, they must attend a four year college or university and should highly consider going on to graduate school to get a Masters or Doctorate degree. Campaigns like "Knowledge is Power" and "The More You Know" help solidify this message in the minds of the American youth.

My personal observation is that most college graduates are not prepared for the workforce and exit their institution of higher learning with tens of thousands of dollars in debt and an ego to match. Other managers I work with have told me that the workers they are getting right out of school are demanding large salaries, demanding promotions after 6 months and yet are unwilling to actually work.

I'll return and expound more on this later, but for the moment, check out this article and video by the National Inflation Association.

Article: College Bubble Set to Burst in 2011
Video: College Conspiracy