I think it is pretty easy to get the feeling reading the Bible that God really loves people and likes us to spend time with him in a personal relationship. I’m not sure but I think there is a verse about humans being created for His pleasure. Do you think that this world and time the Bible speaks of is Gods’ first or only creation? If creation was for His pleasure, what do you suppose God did for the eons before the last six thousand years?

How do you answer the statement that Satan would have to have fallen after the creation since “everything He had made was good”?

My husband wants to start tithing, and I believe that I am supposed to as well, as an act of obedience and gratitude and faith. However, there is a huge gap for me in this area between my faith and my desire to be obedient. We are going through a tough time financially and I have a hard time letting go of money that I don’t feel like we can spare. I want to WANT TO tithe, but I’m not there yet. I believe my husband when he says that he has seen blessings as a result of tithing, but I don’t want to tithe just to receive blessings. I know that God does not want my money if I’m not giving with the right heart. My husband believes that if I begin to tithe and see the blessings and provision of God, that my heart will then change. What do I do?

When we give to God we’re supposed to give without expecting anything but out of gratitude. But when I read 2 Cor. 9: 6 where it says “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” it appears as if it encourages giving with expectations of returns from God because a sower expects harvest when sowing. What is your thought on this?

What does Jesus mean in Revelation 2:5 when he warns the church in Ephesus he might remove their lamp stand from its place among the churches?

In regards to generosity and giving, in Luke 6 30-35, does Jesus really teach we should give to every panhandler that comes our way; in regards to lending does it mean that Christians cannot be in the banking business? This seems to be the literal interpretation, but what other way is there to look at this?

I was studying II Timothy 2 for encouragement, and got a little hung up on verses 20-21. I think Paul is saying that we can expect to find non-believers dwelling in our churches and attending our congregational meetings. Verse 21 says, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”  Is Paul advising us to have absolutely nothing to do (purge himself) with non-believers? Or is this more of a warning to avoid their influence? Can you clarify the intended meaning?

My question is on two verses about Forgiveness. Luke 6:37 “Judge not and you shall not be judged. Condemn not and you shall not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” And Mathew 6:12 says “And Forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors”. Does this mean God is dependent on our forgiveness to forgive us? Or when you don’t forgive and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and wash your sins away you will not be forgiven? Or which sin(s) that I commit will not be forgiven by God when I don’t forgive others. Please help me here.

Jesus said that whatever we ask in His name will be granted but it becomes cumbersome to say “In Jesus’ name” every time I thank Him for something or ask Him to bless someone. I find that I start saying it more as a chant than in reverence. Also, do we need to confess we are sinners and ask for forgiveness every time we pray? Or is once a day sufficient? I find that after I go through all the formalities every time I talk to God, sometimes I forget what I was going to pray about. It also takes a lot of the “spontaneity” out of the conversation, when spontaneity is what I’m trying to add to my prayers.

I often see people say that Jesus (and the Bible) promote Socialism. While I know most Christians are against Socialism, I can see passages where it does sound like the early Church was practicing what we now call Socialism. Just one passage for example: 2 Corinthians 8: 13-16 and there are others. Any light you can shed on this would be appreciated.