A friend of mine, who is a believer, said this to me a while ago, and I didn't know how to respond: "I sometimes feel like the people in church are like a woman who just marries a man for his money. I know that there are lot of people who really do love God there on Sundays; but, before that, they were with Him because of a fear of being poor."

Any thoughts?

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Dan Pemberton
Vacaville, CA

Member, First Baptist Church San Luis Obispo
Formerly ABUSA (We left, so I guess that makes us American Baptists Unleashed!)

Many times if someone is getting poorer and poorer than this is a sign that they are being true to their faith.



A final thought: Most of us come to Christ with mixed motives, which God later sanctifies. I praise God they are in church and pray that many of the unsaved in our pews will, in fact, eventually be saved.

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

SO well stated Perg! I am still in fallen flesh (a saint who yet sins), I will not deny there were probably some less than noble motives in embracing God in my experience. I love these gritty honest threads. Thank you Dan, well thought question.

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~etexas~

I came to trust Christ at the age of fifteen. I knew that I was a sinner going to hell and without the blood of Christ to cover my sin I was headed for an eternity separated from God. That became very clear to me. That was my motivation.

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Ivan Schoen, Pastor * Maranatha Baptist Church * Poplar Grove, Illinois USA www.maranatha-sbc.org/
“One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him. This is the motor that drives my ministry as a pastor. It affects everything I do.” --- Dr. John Piper