Too Blessed to be Stressed?

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   Todd R Vickposted 15 years ago

   Today I overheard a comment that I seem to be hearing more and more. A fellow was talking about how much money he had made and about a new vehicle and then made this statement: "God has really blessed me."
   
   At what point did having money and expensive toys become equated with God's blessings? If having money and stuff means God is blessing, than my household is cursed. I have been laid off twice this year, I am always late with the rent, I am driving the same Chevy S-10 that I have been driving since 2001, and if we're lucky, we might be able to buy a small gift for each of our children for Christmas this year. No, sirree, God has truly NOT blessed this house.
   
   Do you see my point? I have friends who serve overseas as missionaries. One does not enter the mission field with hopes of financial prosperity and monetary "blessings." A blessing for them is to have food to eat for the day, and to make it home each day without being killed, raped, or tortured. Is it our understanding that these missionaries are not being blessed by God because they have to walk or ride a bike to get where they need to go and not a Mercedes or a limo? Surely not. And what about our soldiers scattered around the world missing Christmas with their families? I guess they aren't very blessed either. Sigh...
   
   It's time for religious people to see the light. What the man I overheard today spent on his new truck (that God blessed him with) could feed 100 families in Darfur for a month. Think about that on Christmas morning while you collect your booty from beneath the tree.
   
   Now, let me clarify something. I do not think that having money and being prosperous is evil. Thinking that wealth and prosperity make one "blessed" is evil as well as arrogantly presumptuous.
   
   A popular Southern Baptist evangelist, Bailey Smith, once compared the Church to a luxury cruise liner, moving powerfully through the waters while many drowning people try to get on board. They end up drowning because the floating prosperous Church doesn't see them nor do they care.
   
   Another thing that urks the living daylights out of me are these people who apparently don't live on the same planet as the rest of us. Ask them how they are, and they will say, "I'm too blessed to be stressed."
   
   Well, lah dee freakin dah!

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      cosetteposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      [/b]
      
      
      haha hello Todd....haha
      
      welcome aboard!

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         Todd R Vickposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks. Trying to figure this Hub thing out.

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      Lady_Eposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I guess people see blessings in different ways. You wrote, your household is cursed.
      
      * Some people have health issues and will not be able to ever keep a job.
      
      * Some can't afford to pay rent and live in boxes in the street.
      
      * Some don't own a car.
      
      ..... and I'm talking Europe.
      
      So, I think you are blessed to an extent and as you appreciate it, there'd be more Blessings flying your way.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I know what you mean.  Although not everyone who has money is uncaring.
      
      
      But I like the subject of this thread.   The word "Blessed" is used in odd ways, isn't it?
      
      
      I once complimented another woman at a business I went into, because her t-shirt said "I'm too blessed to be stressed"; I said that's a great saying.
      Silly me thought it referred to a belief in God!   When she paused and said a quick "oh thanks" and looked kinda embarrassed, I realized she was wearing the shirt 'cause it, to her, referred to her...um....bust size, something I of course hadn't even paid any attention to!

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   Crazdwriterposted 15 years ago

   welcome to hubpages Todd. And if you ask me how I am doing I'll straight up and say it. OMG where did all of this stress come from? Yea Ain't too blessed to be stressed... I'm way more stressed than anything

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   Justine76posted 15 years ago

   
   I see your point!! Blessing has nothing to do with money, (well it can, but its not the be all and end all)...
   
   Its annoying when a person says..God blessed me!!!
   
   and your like, well...whats wrong with me?
   
   I wouldn't worry about what others say, and go on, living your life, being happy with what you know, and have.  People make mistakes, ya know? They will learn eventually, its not up to you.

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   kessposted 15 years ago

   Todd, when you learn to dissassociate yourself from the things of this life you will find that you actually own it all.
   
   All those who run after the things that pleases the eye, will inherit nothing.
   
   Those who run around with their slogans do not know anything about God, just psyching themselves up because they're lacking  truth.

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   h.a.borcichposted 15 years ago

   When people are blessed with finances, I think there is an expectation from God that they will be generous in giving. What ever the resource we are blessed with - we need to be giving.
   I have friends who inherited a property with several bedrooms. They did not need all the space just for themselves. Now they are running a ministry and have house guests all the time. Sometimes visiting missionaries, people who lost their home, or lost their home in a fire, etc.
   Where much is given, much is expected. To hoard or foolishly waste what blessings you have is not what God intended.
     Just my thoughts, Holly

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