What do the parables of the rich fool and workers in the vineyard say about leading more joyful lives?
155475
If you have more than enough food, why keep it to yourself when others are starving?  Use your good fortune to help those who have bad fortune.\nAllow others to be generous.  Dont get jealouse because of other peoples good fortune.
498720
the scripture reads:\n\nJoel 2:24 \n\nThe threshing floors will be filled with grain; \n       the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. \n\nGod is telling Joel that he will take care of he and his families needs
864987
'And everyone lived happily ever after'\n\nThe Bible doesn't promise that....
609055
Yes.  He's an inspirational man who teaches that everyone has the power to have a successful and happy life.  I read one of his books and it was full of wisdom and positive thinking. His ideas are only useful if you are willing to put in the work to become successful though.
7984
Jesus says: "Give all your wealth to the poor."\n\nThe Pharisees reply: "...so you become poor. good solution. not."
314653
Here is a good one:\n\nProverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31 \nA wife of noble character who can find? \nShe is worth far more than rubies. \nHer husband has full confidence in her \nand lacks nothing of value. \n\nShe brings him good, not harm, \nall the days of her life. \n\nShe is clothed with strength and dignity; \nshe can laugh at the days to come. \n\nShe speaks with wisdom, \nand faithful instruction is on her tongue. \n\nShe watches over the affairs of her household \nand does not eat the bread of idleness. \n\nHer children arise and call her blessed; \nher husband also, and he praises her: \n\n"Many women do noble things, \nbut you surpass them all." \n\nCharm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; \nbut a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. \n\nGive her the reward she has earned, \nand let her works bring her praise at the city gate.\n\nYou can find more by purchasing this book: "The 100 Most Important Bible Verses for Women".
237715
"The problem with both Prosperity Theology and Poverty Theology is that they are both half right and both half wrong. What they share is that they are both wrong to make money the issue. The real issue is not money, but righteousness. Therefore, there are not two kinds of people—rich and poor—but rather four kinds of people as categorized here:\n\nCategory #1\nRighteous Rich\nPeople who become rich because God has blessed them, they have worked hard, invested smart, and have not obtained wealth through sin. These people also spend their money righteously through tithing, sharing, caring for the needy, etc. Examples include Abraham, Job after he was restored, and Joseph of Aramathea.\n\nCategory #2\nThe Unrighteous Rich\nPeople who become rich through sin and spend their money in a sinful way. Examples include Pharaoh, Judas Iscariot, and the rich young ruler. \n\nCategory #3\nRighteous Poor\nPeople who are poor because they are righteous, are righteous despite being poor, and act righteously with their money though they are poor. Examples include Jesus, the widow who gave her mite, and orphaned children. \n\nCategory #4\nThe Unrighteous Poor\nPeople who have no money because they do not work, do not spend wisely, and do not tithe to God. Proverbs speaks a lot about sluggards and about people not eating if they won’t work, and Paul says that any man who does not provide for his family has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever."\n\n"My entire point is simply that when the issue is rich and poor and not righteous and unrighteous we may have allowed red and blue politics rather than Old Testament and New Testament principles to dominate our thinking."
882046
The full phrase is "fools walk where angels fear to tread".  Basically it means that a foolish person will tend to do things or get into situations that ordinary people won't.
924606
I assume you mean the ten commandments?\n\nYes, hundreds of millions follow such a lifestyle, regardless of race, religion or location.  \n\nI consider myself to be a Christian, but my faith was shaken when I lost my family to my wife's lust.  However, I have not let it shake my integrity.  I treat each person like they are my best friend, until they show me cause to do otherwise.  I never lie, cheat or steal anything.  I conduct my personal and professional life as I wish everyone else would.\n\nI may never become rich, because of this, but I will be remembered well by my friends and business partners.\n\nYou are correct, even though it appears we may reside on opposite sides of the isle, integrity, respect, and honesty are sadly lacking in society today.  But I bellieve that the vast majority do conduct themselves well.  I have to, or what are we trying to save?
832524
Should the Followers of Jesus Accumulate Material Wealth?\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n"Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God…Woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation"; and,"Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."; and, "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys." (Luke 6:20, 24; Matt. 19:23-24; Luke 12:33)\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nSummary\n\nFor the vast, vast majority of people who are part of what calls itself the church in the United States, the words of Jesus above, spoken in the context of material wealth, will immediately draw an emotionally defensive response. Why? What does it mean when someone is defensive at the suggestion of living a sacrificial life for Jesus? What does it mean when people get defensive when it is suggested they do with fewer material things or 'not-as-nice' material things? Well, it probably means they are either in bondage to, or struggling with, the sin of covetousness. What is the definition of "covet"? It is to consistently desire more material things than what you presently have. It means to focus on getting more money/things as opposed to giving them away in serving the Lord. What does it mean to be in bondage to the sin of covetousness? It means one is not willing to try and follow Messiah Jesus. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nIntroduction\n\nHere in the United States, we live in a lost nation whose primary false god is money. Of course, this is true of the world in general, but is particularly true here in the United States. Everywhere you turn people are putting a price on everything imaginable. There seems to be nothing left which people will not sell for some price. Tragically, and horrendously, this same idolatry - that is the trusting in, and worship of material things - is also practiced in christian religion of most stripes. The "church" finds itself at a place where people charge money to "lead people closer to Jesus Christ". You might defensively ask, "where is this happening?". It is probably happening right in your own organization's "counseling ministry". You know, where some special guy with some piece of paper claims he has more wisdom than the "ordinary" leaders - you know, the "Christian Psychologist" - and demands to be paid to help people find the Lord's strength to overcome some problem of living [see Can 'Christian' Psychology Help Me?].\n\nSelfishness versus Selflessness\n\nLet us back up for a moment, and start afresh at a more foundational level. Let me start by asking the reader if they understand the difference between selfish and selfless. Well, do you? The words are what are called antonyms. That means the words have opposite meanings. Like cold is the opposite of hot. Good is the opposite of bad. Kindness is the opposite of rudeness. Well, SELFISH is the opposite of SELFLESS.\n\nTo be selfish means to want to keep things (material, relational, intellectual) to yourself or to a group of people who will owe you by your "giving" to them. To be selfish is to say and practice, "I'll give something to you as long as I believe I'll get something back for it". This is how the world operates.\n\nTo be selfless, on the other hand, means to want to give things (material, relational, intellectual) away to others from whom you expect to get nothing back. To be selfless i
669559
i think the key to happiness is through JESUS CHRIST. and letting HIM lead your life. GOD BLESS YOU.
354750
There are many aspects of the Evangelist philosophy which are intertwined with Capitalism (especially the neoliberal capitalism). First there is the Globalization goal to bring the entire world into the Global economy. This mirrors the evanglist goal to spread their brand of Christianity to all of the planet. Even religious leaders have suggest that faith is becoming a "commodity" and Capitalism is paving the way for Christ's Kingdom. There is also the idea that prosperity is to be celebrated (which some may argue is against a fundamental aspect of the Gospels) as the Capitalist seek profit at every turn. Whereas the protestant work ethic philosophy tends to say that worldy wealth is a sign of God's grace and favor and therefore being prosperous is among the things that humans are called to be. It could also be argued that one of the main goals of the new Capitalism is to create as much personal consumption and investment as humanly possible. This forces communal aspects of life to be lessened in importance. One could also argue, the Evangelical desire to proclaim a very personal relationship with God and a personal specific salvation runs in concert with the idea that individuals are to consume everything on the personal, not communal level.\n\nEach of these things are among others in how Capitalism and the evangelical christian movement often go hand in hand. Whether this is good or bad...is up to the observer.
78891
I love this quote atributed to Emerson.  For me, it sums life up quite nicely:\n\nTo laugh often and much; \nTo win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;\nTo earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;\nTo appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;\nTo leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;\nTo know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.\nThis is to have succeeded.
58291
the person who wrote that he would rather laugh with the sinners evidently has never laughed with the saints!!!!  I have lived both sides of life, and I may have had a lot of laughs with the sinners, but I have discovered true happiness and peace and JOY with the saints.  I have a DAILY relationship with God.  And THIS is the greatest love and joy I have EVER experienced.  I try to obey the Word of God, but I am human, you know?  It is not always easy to be loving and obedient, but when I'm not, I pay for it, and when I am, I get a blessing that cannot be written here in words.
589677
I think that if people did lighten up and stop trying to spread the gospel (instead tried to live as an example to it) then the world would be a better place. Every time I try to smile here someone shuts it by shoving God down my throat. I love God, God loves me, end of.\n\nNow we've got that out the way, let's all smile and get drunk on the fermented grapes that the Lord has given us!
1069381
I like the one that says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see God."  It means to me that if I am hungry and needy and not pretending that I "have it all."  That God will reveal Himself to me in the quiet place in the secret place of my heart.\n\nMany are not even seeking God's way today. But you can be assured that He "knows who are His".
484950
You are blessed more than you know. Your reward is in heaven waiting on you. You are doing the right things now, working hard and serving the Lord. The others? Forget them,\nthey may appear to be most bless, but what are they doing otherwise? Example: I have a lot of money. I drive a big fancy car. I have a big house, boat and have fun all the time. I don't really care about you unless you can make me more money or happier: I get a different woman every night. I can afford all those things,