What do you think Hebrews 10:24-25 means?

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   Rich kelleyposted 9 years ago

   What do you think Hebrews 10:24-25 means?
   
   Heb 10:24-25  Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
   
   It would seem that most have been taught that these verses are to shame people into the church buildings. Once in the buildings you become a donor of your money to support the building and the vocation of all on the dole.

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   SpiritusShepherdposted 9 years ago

   It is true, and it is a shame that many people use these verses to shame or guilt  one into attending church.
   
   The writer of Hebrews intended this verse to be one of encouragement. We are not to give up meeting with other believers, because other believers are essential to our personal faith.
   The believers that surround us keep us accountable to the Truth and encourage us in carrying out the Faith. Paul consistently speaks of strengthening his brothers and of himself being strengthened by the churches where he preached. 
   
   Remember also, that when Paul visited a church, those who belonged to said church would give him gifts, probably food, clothes and yes, even money. For this how evangelists, missionaries, pastors and others in the ministry make their living.
   
   I do agree that often times churches place to much emphasis on giving money, but remember it is often through our tithes and offerings that pastors and others on the church staff receive their wages.

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "The writer of Hebrews intended this verse to be one of encouragement. We are not to give up meeting with other believers, because other believers are essential to our personal faith."
      I agree with this statement

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   Ericdierkerposted 9 years ago

   I have always just loved these verses and surrounding ones. How cool!
   "Provoke" to love and good works -- that is just great. Non passive hand clapping and such need not apply -- prod and urge and stir is it up that is just great.
   "Exhorting" one another -- what could be better. Kind of like a push and a shove and a lifting up all at once.
   Hey aren't we assembling together right here and right now. Let me thank you for asking the question so I can assemble with my buddies right here and right now and provoke and exhort each other into better thinking.
   So some stinkers out there use this as a guilt trip vehicle to force others into a building? Hey we really like going to church around here. And we help pay for the show. On a cold wet day like today it is nice to be inside with cool stained glass windows and a fancy sound system and video stuff. The pew is comfy and the handshakes and hugs are awesome. The preacher man runs the show and we all have a good time.We get a fresh perspective and just adore singing with a group.
   But I got to tell you it does not much provoke or exhort me. This  question with these folks does and I feel assembled. I hope you do to.
   Maybe I just don't hear the shame game. But bad on them that do it. Assembling is awesome. Thanks.
   I think I will go write a sermon about it, and folks will assemble to read it and we shall share in our faith.

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your comments Eric. I always feel that I'm part of the body when talking with fellow like minded believers. I've seen this scripture used in the negative way more than the positive, I've had it used against me.

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      Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Perhaps the fellow "not like minded" are good to associate with also. I grow weary of cheering sessions. Lest I become docile in my faith. We are well to expand by listening. Though I do not always like what I hear. Provoke and exhort

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The interaction with the NOT like minded is going to happen. The language is the same (scripture), the difference is the meaning or definition of the language.

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   Zelkiiroposted 9 years ago

   Once again, as these questions tend to be, the answer is incredibly simple: These verses are saying, "Hey, maybe we should meet up and encourage each other to study the scriptures and do good things on a regular basis instead of being weird, smelly hermits who don't socialize."

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Zelkiiro
      simplicity usually is the correct meaning. The assembly together is where it has gotten complicated. Today that is suppose to mean in "the building" with a paid hireling leading the 501(c)3 government ran corporation.

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   Rich kelleyposted 9 years ago

   Below is a link to one of the best explanations on the topic that I've come across. Instead of being an echo of what is in the link I'll let the write up do the talking.
   
   http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/hebrews1025.pdf

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   Angele Parrisposted 9 years ago

   I would like to know what do you mean by - once in the buildings you become a donor of your money to support the building and the vocation of all on the dole.
   
   Some view the bible as a history book, thus the two verses were meant for the Hebrews who accepted Jesus Christ as the Savior at the time. The writer of the book of the Hebrews is telling the Hebrew converts that they should consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking assembling together (and so on), because the Day (Christ's return) is approaching.  New Converts of the Christian faith were being persecuted at the time.
   
   Many today, will interpret this scripture as luring people into church to donate money. Let me give my interpretation of the prosperity teaching. The mega church dome or main building serves as the headquarters of the church.
   
   I had a vision of the future (believe it or not). I was asked to choose one of the seven churches in Revelation. The only two I could relate to were the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. I could not figure out how I was rich and did not want to be among the number going to jail (even if it said some of you and it was for only ten days). I chose the church of Philadelphia, because it said "behold I come quickly.
   
   The mega church is the headquarters for a number of smaller churches. The mega church constructs smaller churches worldwide. Since I am from Jamaica, I will assume the church builds a church in Vere, Clarendon. There is no tithing because the church is funded by private schools affiliated with the church. Those who are able to afford the school fees, get the money from industries in the region. For example, In Vere, cane is the dominant industry. Except I did not see sugar cane as the cash crop, I actually saw them extracting minerals from the Milk River, and the Salt River. The mega church in America would use the salt extracted from the water for whatever purpose (like strengthening muscles). The school curriculum is preparing the children to work in the industry. The pay is smaller than America, but larger than Jamaica.

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      Rich kelleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      In America, Hirelings are paid to be pastors, music leaders etc. This is not how the New Testament Church functioned. There were no church buildings there were not seminaries. The temple is gone so is the tithe.

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