Q: IF JESUS IS OUR(Christians) source? Why do we get mad at the President for not meeting our needs?
A: The President is not my (our) provider. However, their decisions, and those of their Administration, do effect me regardless. Social, domestic and foreign policy decisions can, and do, effect our finances, the moral climate of the country and our security. While it is true God is our provider, our protector and our life, the means by which He does this may not always be supernatural as some seem to think. Too often Christians sit back and do not get involved in government affairs and end up being of no earthly good. God is in control, but just because we know the outcome of all this shouldn't prevent us from making a stand for truth and trying to elect and support leaders who hold to a more Judeo-Christian ethic. If Jesus is our source we should be compelled to engage the world politically and socially just as we do with evangelism. They are tied together. And if that means getting upset at a President who doesn't operate consistently with a Christian ethic then so be it.
Q: Does Jesus want to be just "Savior" in your life or "Lord And Savior"?
A: Often times we assume that by Savior we only mean we will go to Heaven when we die. And by Lord we mean that the control Jesus has over our lives is demonstrated through our "obedience" to His Word. That is fine so long as we don't substitute "obedience" to rules and laws designed to modify our behavior for "responding" to the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit. For many Jesus being "Lord" of their life means they must live an impossible life of repentance and obedience. In other words, "are you doing this and not doing that?" But the Christian life is a life of trust and dependence. Scripture says it is the grace of God that "teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12)." When we are being led (controlled) by the Spirit of God we will not be sinning against each other because we are walking in love. Be careful saints, know the difference so as not to be deceived. Be blessed.
Q: The bible says, when a man and a woman get married they become "One"....IS it ok for the married couple to have "separate" bank accounts and wife keep her last name?
A: A couple is certainly free to keep separate bank accounts and for the wife to keep her maiden name. We don't want to create an opportunity in which to condemn people who don't follow tradition or stroke our own pride if we do. It is not a question of "is it okay," because all things are permissible. It is a question of "why?" Why have separate bank accounts? Why not take your husbands name? While there may be good reasons for keeping things separate, I feel you may risk harming the trust within a marriage by doing so. You can make it difficult to keep track of money and give the indication it isn't "our" money, but mine. As for the name change. If "Jane Doe" marries "John Q Public," she is no longer Miss Doe. Miss is a salutation for a single woman. However, if she doesn't take her husbands name she can't be referred to as Misses Public, although she is married. I believe it is a form of submission to each other to have common accounts and the same last name, but not a requirement.
Q: The bible says The "love" of money is the "root" of all evil...So is it "evil" for Christians to be "wealthy"?
A: It is not evil to be wealthy. Many wealthy Christians have used their wealth to support the work of the ministry. The Bible says not to store up treasures on earth, but in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). It is between you and God whether or not you "love" money or not. Unfortunately, through poor teaching and discipleship, too many Christians are being taught to love money and chase after worldly gain as though it is a promise to them from God. We see passages like Malachi 3 misapplied to condemn Christians for "robbing God" and that God will "open the floodgates of heaven" if we only give properly. This is why the Bible says that many "have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Tim. 6:10)" because they are expecting something from God he has not promised to give. We are encouraged to be content with food and clothing. Why? Because we already have been given everything for life and godliness (2 Ptr 1:3) and have every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3).
Follow up to previous question: Q: Let me throw this out there ... Then why (if it is not evil for Christians to be wealthy) do we criticize pastors and other Christians for being wealthy?
A: It is fine for pastors to get paid for doing their work. In fact, the Bible says they should. However, many pastors have attained their wealth through teaching that it is God's will they be rich. It is difficult for me to support a pastor who has multiple homes and vehicles and then tells me that it is a reward from God for his faithfulness or work as a pastor. Then turns around and preaches that I can have the same if I just give enough, etc. Many of these individuals are butchering scripture in the process of accumulating their wealth. I find it hard to think a pastor is humbled and worried about advancing the Gospel when he is living like a King. We can write my comments off as jealousy or "touching God's anointed," but we need to test the Spirits. Unfortunately, many Christians don't exercise any discernment and keep these pastors in their positions because they support the teaching. A sad fact about the modern Church.
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