In Reply to: what I don't understand posted by Passing By on July 14, 2004 at 13:20:41:
Big subject, I think...on the one hand you have the OT law & admonition to respect father & mother.
You have the rebuke of Jesus towards Scribes & Pharisees, that they take money for temple & whatnot, which was actually for people's parents.
On the other hand:
KJV Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children.
KJV 2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
KJV 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. {house: or, kindred}
Yet we all know the verses, about putting God's kingdom first, the Lord etc. that nothing should hinder any calling of Him
Big question is, who is/was really called...to when forsake whom??
(By the way, Paul still thought of the possibility to serve the Lord with a sister as wife:
KJV 1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? {wife: or, woman})
If you read 2.Tim 3 it shows lots about how people will be more & more like, & have already been like that...lovers of pleasures...without natural affection...lovers of their own selves...
So relatives seem to be in the way, unless it's
profitable.
That "Zeitgeist", contemporary spirit/drift in society seems to "rub off" also on religious people & if one is in a very strict & "abiding"
type of group, you can also excuse yourself, that you really "sacrifice", by putting the Lord first,
whereas it could be the case of being just too damn selfish, of caring for your own, your kinsmen
KJV 1 Timothy 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. {piety: or, kindness} IMO works in both direction...emphasis is piety at home...to learn that.