Does God Promise to Reward Us Financially?

Does God promise to reward us financially. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi there Abdul Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We would love to hear from you phone lines are open right now you can call us for the next 25 minutes or so at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post a question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts. You can watch us right now live on YouTube and send us a message. That way, and you can email us at questions at core, Christianity.com burst up today let's go to Nick in the San Jose, California. Nick welcomed the program what your question for Pastor Israel hi thank you for taking my call. My question today. Difference between Catholic and Christian holy yeah Nick is a really good question and a question that a lot of people have and I think it's important for us to be able to articulate the differences there are. There are some similarities as well but but there are some significant differences all the way from things like ecclesiology that is the structure of the church so the Roman Catholic Church either. They believe that the Pope living on earth. Today is the successor of St. Peter that he has a sort of your universal jurisdiction over the whole church and so Isaac Protestants reject the Pope the authority of the Pope.

We we at least for example, the church that I Pastor we don't believe in a pope that we believe that the way in which Jesus and the apostles structured the church you have individual congregations that are governed by a plurality of elders like you see in the New Testament epistles and so one of the big differences is just the issue of church government. Other things you think of worship. The sacraments are the ordinances which Jesus spoke of the Roman Catholic Church has one view of baptism and the Lord's supper that isn't shared by the majority of her many Protestant scene of the teach that the bread and the wine in holy Communion become or transform into the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ.

And that's something that many Protestants don't embrace.

Also in baptism.

This is one area where again I would I would differ with the Roman Catholic view. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that that baptism people are that it at that moment when they're baptized with their bits as adults or infants at that moment the regenerated their born again and so baptism just affects salvation. If you will. There infused with these gifts of God. These gifts of charity, of faith, hope and love and that as a result of that they're able to cooperate with God's grace and grow more and more in in holiness and in righteousness, that kind of think you have salvation there, even justification. As this process of inner renewal so that would be another big difference. That was something that the early Protestant reformers took a big issue with the Catholic Church on is the doctrine of justification, so justification being viewed not so much as God declaring sinners righteous solely on the basis of what Jesus Christ is done, but God making you righteous transforming you into something and I and you growing in your justification as you continue to grow in grace of some of the some of the significant differences you know, worship, church government and even down to how we think about salvation and how it is that we are saved so that I really appreciate your question Nick. If you don't mind my asking, I do go to Roman Catholic Church or to go to a Protestant church go to Lady of peace church okay but not as often as you are that like yeah will Nick let let me just say this in a 11 of the most important things is what we say about Jesus, who Jesus was. One thing that's that I think is good about the Catholic Church is Catholic Church does affirm that Jesus Christ is the eternal son of God. So we think about Christology the doctrine of Christ. I think that there's a lot of really good things are. Also, we do with regard to the doctrine of the Trinity.

We believe in one God father son and Holy Spirit but but but went when we start getting into other doctrines like the doctrine of salvation. What does a person need to do to be right with God. That's where there are some significant differences in one of the one of the things that that the Protestant reformer said resoundingly was that there is nothing that we can do to justify ourselves before a holy God that each and every one of us are are sinners that we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God is the apostle Paul said in the book of Romans and that justification salvation is a free gift that God gives us. And as a result of that gift we could to follow the Lord and we grow in holiness, not because were trying to earn something from God, trying to earn our salvation but because of the fact that God has saved us in Christ by forgiving our sins and making this a part of his family and so up. Appreciate your question very much.

I hope you do get plugged in to a good church where the Bible is being faithfully taught and where you and your family can continue to grow in the faith. Thanks.

Forgiveness call but thanks so much for your question and Israel thanks for a great explanation to help people understand the difference between Protestant and Catholic theology. Let's go to Viola in St. Louis, Missouri Viola what your question for Pastor Israel. I would like to add a Christian and I think one I had to rush in with Mike and I know that Chris called Christian asked 1120 and I know that they will call that as a result, usually a car like little Christ because they didn't like the way I was explaining to her that one day will you please explain that maybe I'm wrong there. They are one of us and we were just talking about some of the differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants and of course, and in the Roman Catholic Church you have this whole tradition of of St. some people that were especially sanctified bit that the church sort of looks to but in the New Testament that were saint is used of Christians and even of Christians who struggled in their daily lives.

Like all of us do that I think about what the apostle Paul said to the Corinthians in first Corinthians is as to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, both our Lord and their Lord and ours.

Paul said that that word right there you sanctified in Christ Jesus.

And that's the word from where we get the that the that the title saint if you will just mean sanctified or set apart holy ones in the New Testament is all all the same word, and so as Christians we we cannot refer to ourselves.

If you will ask saints.

Those who have been set apart by the grace of God through the work of Jesus Christ in our lives now were all called to live in light of that reality. Then one of things I love about the book of first Corinthians if you're familiar with the book you, Paul very clearly refers to these these Christians as believers is as saints, but it's also very clear that they struggled in their walk with the Lord with with things like sexual purity with things like getting along with one another loving one another and yet Paul Bolden said that all that means that you guys are no longer St. it is the status that we have as believers through our union with Jesus Christ was ultimately the holy one, and so so your you're right on in thinking that Christians and saints are one in the same that were called as Christians to live in light of that reality of the fact that we are the called of the Lord Jesus Christ set apart to live holy lives. Thank you Beulah for your for your question. Your listing to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We have an awesome new Bible study that would like to offer you today and will really help you understand the core tenants of the Christian faith. Yet, called core Christianity 101. This is a complete self-contained study on the Christian life aimed at building a solid foundation in the basics what we think. Many Christians have just lost sight of today again. Oftentimes you know we sort of trivialize these very important doctrines or talk about some of them already today. The doctrine of justification, understanding who God is the doctrine of the Trinity who Jesus is the doctrine of Christ.

There really is a lot of biblical illiteracy out there in the church of Jesus Christ is that one of the reasons why we created this resource core Christianity 101, and unlike our other Bible studies, which are for donation of $20 or more. This study is for a donation of any amount and so get your hands on this resource and bills and let you know how to get it. It's a great study and a great way to learn more about the Christian faith and about our mission. Core Christianity. You can get this 10 week Bible study for donation of any amount by going to core Christianity.com that's core Christianity.com/studies and look for core Christianity 101. You can also call us at 833-843-2673 help getting any one of our offers again the numbers 833. The core let's go to a voicemail we received yesterday. This is the one we received from Mr. named Nicole so my question is is there principle of selling financially into a warrant being preached in order to receive greater reward. Yesterday I was listening to a woman that pass to the church and not so often heard her mention that this is the perfect time to sell a seat.

This is final. Granted he sells see on this wire right now, then God will bless you. She saying that in this wire is confirming some things that you are going through in your life being you auto plant seed into the wind financially, and God will bless you. So the first question is is this biblical in the second question would be why does deceit always have to be financial even mentioned her in her mention yesterday that she drain that someone sold $10,000 and they ought to be obedient so thank you so much and I pray this question reaches you with a call.

Thank you for for this question. I think that this is just a twisting of Scripture I I am boy I I am really concerned about these people you see on TV or maybe even hear over the radio who say things like you sow your seed and you're going to be blessed God is and give you health, wealth, you know those kinds of think success at work. That is just not a biblical principle. I remember it was your story with the I remember years ago when I was in college working out at the gym. I was wearing a T-shirt that I think had the, the, the name of the christen college I was attending on it and a man walked up to me as I was working out.

He said oh, your you're Christian and I said yeah and we struck up a conversation. He told me he was a pastor in the neighborhood and of course I was. I was excited to meet someone who was a pastor and myself training to be a pastor hoping to be a pastor in the future. And as we began talking at one point he said you know I'm rich and it was sort of awkward transition and I think I replied to him by sensibly it will rich in Jesus or something like that and he said no I'm I'm rich rich like I got a lot of money, I'm rich and I was totally confused. He said you if you're to be a pastor. God is going to bless you and one of the ways he knows you be blessed is by the fact that he's in a shower you with with riches and of course I knew enough at that time in my walk with the Lord and even in my studies did to realize that such original to the lives of the apostles and we sort of went back and forth for a while, but it really was this sort of tragic conversation and the reality is there a lot of people who buy into this bad theology.

God does not promise us as Christians, as followers of Jesus health and wealth wellness. Those kinds of things. Now God might bless you financially. God might bless you with help, maybe not, but that's that's not first and foremost we got promises to us what God promises to us through his son Jesus Christ is the forgiveness of our sins.

That's the most important thing to go that that that's what pastor should be proclaiming preaching about the forgiveness of sins growing in grace growing in holiness as we walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. One passage of Scripture that it sounds to me like is is being twisted here when people make these kinds of claims is what the apostle Paul says in second Corinthians chapter 9 is talking here about giving, about sewing a financial seed in chapter 90 says in verse six. The point is this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give is he is decided in his heart in a note. Note there that Paul is not twisting people's arms to give. He isn't loading them down with guilt, coercing them say I had a dream you know one of you better not be disobedient to the Lord because I know someone said to give $10,000. That kind of the things is no each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times. You may abound in every good work. As it is written, he has distributed freely. He is given to the poor.

His righteousness endures forever. Q supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness is the harvest is that were looking for. As Christians is not a windfall of money that God may do that but he may not.

It could be just the opposite. Were looking for is a close relationship with the Lord being faithful to him obedient to him, loving our neighbors. Those who are in need Christians who are suffering an increase in the harvest of righteousness if you will, that that's what Paul says again in verse eight God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency you have enough pulses. It will be sufficient. You can be content in all things at all times.

You may abound in every good work and you see that's what we should be calling people to isn't abounding in an abundance of good works. That's what we should long for as as Christians and tragically in a lot of these ministries you see out there today. That's not what's being preached. Thank you for your question was so important to clear up that very misinformed theology, because unfortunately there are some churches and some church leaders that are preaching on a regular basis and mental memory that would be setting ourselves up for that doing no we definitely do not. Went in there.

You have to give an account before the Lord one day and that's to be a scary thing for it for people who take advantage of the flock of Jesus Christ, who use the church and the Bible and theology as a means to something else, not as a means of of glorying for glorifying God and of being faithful to him and to his word, but as the means of advancing themselves of becoming rich that's gonna be a scary thing on the day of judgment.

Your listing to core Christianity and by the way, we have some folks listening right now are viewing us online from the Philippines and Mexico. We want to say hi to our international listeners. You can always join us online@corechristianity.com or watch us live on YouTube look for the core Christianity YouTube channel.

Let's go to Opal in St. Louis Missouri over what your question for pastor.

Israel said black. Hillary is not a very good thing and I need to know most of the women know that they had a hair hanging down a bag and I need to know the Bible and that it is wrong for women to wear slacks out where my dyslexia that went pants and I went to Lori and I got a kick me out. I haven't people I am lovable in my heart, mind, body and soul and I don't go to church just like there anything with slacks on just very modestly and I need to know where it Bible about long-haired black and you Lori boo-boo well let me just say to sister know God is not going to kick you out of heaven because you where slacks and if the church says that what they're doing is they're adding to the gospel of Jesus Christ were saved by grace through faith. And that's that's what that's what justifies us it's it's the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. Now you do have an expectation from the apostle Paul in first Timothy chapter 2 to to modesty. Paul says beginning in verse eight I desire that, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness with good works, and in particular, there is is not being associated with not being associated with a modesty what what that would look like, and in the culture there. We have to be really careful that we don't we don't go too far in trying to define that for our own parishioners and so I don't think it's it's the right thing that a church says you come to this church, you're not allowed to wear jewelry are not allowed to cut your hair. You can't wear slacks that kind of thing I think I think were slipping into their is what what I would call legalism it's adding to the law of Jesus Christ, which is already good and perfect. We don't make any additions to it. Does that mean that that that you know there's no such thing as a modesty will of course not. There is ways of being immodest in church and we have to watch out for that as well. But this seems to me to be the opposite issue.

The opposite sort of wrecking and the other ditching in trying to define too closely what it is that people should where and how it is that people should dress down to whether or not they can wear pants and church are cut their hair. Too often, Opal.

I think in the church today.

We lose sight of of the main things the gospel. Loving our neighbors what what Christ calls us to has justified forgiven Christians and we focus on these these other things that frankly aren't helping anyone art building anyone up aren't edifying the church. We need to take a step back focus on the word of God, not our additions to the word of God and how we think people should live and and devote ourselves to that dude's a real obedience to God's law, not the laws that man makes that people invent and so sister you can rest assured that through faith in Jesus Christ you're going to be welcomed into into God's kingdom. John says in first John chapter 5 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God, that you might know that you have eternal life. As I write these things to you who don't wear slacks or who haven't cut your hair and you know however many years that can be no no that's not the basis of your salvation.

The basis of your salvation is Jesus and what he did for you and in him you can begin to serve the Lord and love the Lord in your church and and I hope that this doesn't continue to be a big deal in in the congregation where you where you gather together with other believers because it shouldn't be so. Thank you Opal forgiven us a call. Your listing to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez, just a reminder we have a great offer for you today a new and revised version of our wonderful Bible study called core Christianity 101. It will help you understand the core tenets of the Christian faith and really what we stand for. Here at core Christianity. You can get that for a donation of any amount by going to core Christianity.com/studies that's core Christianity.com/studies will here's an email we received from one of our listeners named Elliott he says this does God view the remarriages of nonbelievers differently than he views the marriages of Christians or are they the same. Yeah, thank you for that question. Yeah, I think if people are married by the state. You know, maybe they can do to the church. Maybe they don't confess Christ that they are actually married and that God honors is marry me that they're treated as married now. Of course there the issue is more complex than just saying that because there are all sorts of ways in which are our current world thinks about marriage and views marriage but marriage I would say isn't just an institution that's given to the church, but given to the whole world it's it's this creation will institution if you will, and so while I was say you know the people who are not Christians were married are actually married.

Oftentimes, we have to understand that what marriage is, ultimately, is something that cannot even be fully understood apart from the gospel because of what the apostle Paul says in the book of Ephesians. It's this great parable this great picture of the relationship that Jesus Christ has with his bride, the church and our marriages are supposed to reflect that in the world today are marriages you know my marriage with my wife is supposed to be a picture of the love of God for his people.

Now of course all of us fall short of that we wait we struggle to exhibit that but that's what God calls us to.

And the beautiful thing is it's it's something he doesn't just call us to, but it's something that he himself. Jesus himself demonstrated for his people by coming to earth and laying down his life for his bride so that she might be drawn to him in this perfect love relationship and so yes to your question in there there veto Christians, Christians or non-Christians who were married are married man and a woman outside of the church.

The I think they are legitimately married but if were really get to fully understand marriage. We need to understand the gospel as well. We often talk about Paul's admonition to us as husbands and wives and what he calls us to them really for the guys. It means having a servants heart and even willing to die for our bride that such a powerful statement in God's word, yeah, a what you're referring to Bill is Ephesians chapter 5 verse 25 husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word is the gospel right there. And of course you know our marriages aren't the gospel. Just ask your spouse you should be able to tell you, but they should be a demonstration of the implications of the love that God has shown to each and every one of us. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together