Definition of Discipleship

Both English and Greek definitions for disciple lend insight to the meaning and proper application of Christian discipleship. According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, disciple means: “One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.”1 Two other sources further define the word thus: “A follower of a particular teacher: an adherent of the principles of some leader of thought”2 and “One who professes to have learned certain principles from another and maintains them on that other’s authority.”3 Greek definitions of disciple include: “To learn, be taught, to learn by practice or experience, acquire a custom or habit”4 and “To learn, to understand, to know, to be informed, to comprehend.”5 Disciple(s) appears in the Old Testament once (Isaiah 8:16) and about 221 times in the New Testament. A biblical portrait of a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is depicted by Scripture to include adherence to the Lord’s teaching, practicing the same until it becomes a daily habit. To be a disciple of Christ is to understand and be informed of his divine will in order to present one’s body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) and to disciple the nations (Matthew 28:19, ASV). True discipleship is maintained only by the divine authority of Christ (John 8:31) and not by the human authority (Matthew 15:9). Furthermore, effective disciples of the Lord are fruitful workers (Matthew 7:15-20; John 15:1-8) and good stewards (Matthew 25:14-30), who have anticipated and acknowledged the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-35). Cost is also variously defined: (1) “That which must be given to …

The New School Prayer

Now I sit me down in schoolWhere praying is against the ruleFor this great nation under GodFinds mention of Him very odd.If Scripture now the class recites,It violates the Bill of Rights.And anytime my head I bowBecomes a Federal matter now.Our hair can be purple, orange or green,That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.The law is specific, the law is precise.Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.For praying in a public hallMight offend someone with no faith at all.In silence alone we must meditate,God’s name is prohibited by the state.We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.To quote the Good Book makes me liable.We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,And the ‘unwed daddy,’ our Senior King.It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong,We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.We can get our condoms and birth controls,Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,It’s scary here I must confess,When chaos reigns the school’s a mess.So, Lord, this silent plea I make:Should I be shot; My soul please take!Amen (Purportedly written by a teen in Bagdad, Arizona,circulating on the Internet and submitted by Ray Rushmore)

What Will Evolutionists Do?

(Surely the woman was several million years old! ~ Mark McWhorter) Woman Carries ‘Fossil’ Fetus for 49 YearsUpdated 6:52 AM ET January 5, 2000 TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan doctors operating on a 76-year old woman discovered a “fossilized” fetus in her abdomen conceived 49 years ago — a phenomenon recorded only three times in history, hospital sources said Wednesday. The Veterans General Hospital said doctors on December 31 found a 20 gram (0.7 ounce) lithopaedion, the rocklike remains of a fetus hardened by calcium buildup, in the abdominal cavity of a woman surnamed Wu. The baby appeared to have died in the 20th week of Wu’s pregnancy when the fetus moved from her womb to her abdomen. The hospital said their research yielded only three known lithopaedions, and the earliest case dated back to 1582, when a 28-year old fetus was found in French woman.

Your Permanent Record

I remember having a fourth grade Social Studies teacher that would constantly threaten us that if we didn’t do whatever it was she was wanting us to do, it would go on our “permanent record.” That “permanent record” line might sound a little silly to me today, but it sure did work on a group of fourth graders! We had images of not getting into college, not getting a job or our lives being ruined because of our fourth grade Social Studies “permanent record.” Well, as ridiculous as that may sound to me today, there is a “permanent record” that is being kept. And, someday this record will make all the difference in the world as to whether my life has been meaningful or a waste. God keeps this record, and he writes this record down in the Book of life. Is your name in that book? Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 and Revelation 20:12-15.

What’s It Called?

Have you heard about the Bible class teacher who was asking her young students if they knew what it was called when a man is married to several wives at the same time? “Polygamy,” the class responded. The teacher, impressed by their answer, then asked what it was called when a man was married to two wives at the same time. “Bigamy,” the class responded. The teacher, now even more impressed, decided to ask one more question. “What is it called when a man is married to one wife?” After a long period of silence, a little boy, sounding very sure of himself said, “Monotony!” Marriage was intended by God, not to be monotonous, but to be monogamous. Today, infidelity abounds in our society. Broken vows, broken promises, broken marriages and broken hearts litter our courts. Don’t become a statistic. Find joy in the Lord’s plan for the home. His way really is best (Matthew 19:1-9).

My Father’s Business: The “Prophet” Margin

The mission statement of the church is in Ephesians 3:10, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” One stated goal in the mission of the church is that of edification of the body. This is done, according to God’s business plan, with the aid of men. These men are described in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. ”The “prophet” is one who is not often understood, nor given his proper due. The prophet, in the New Testament, is one who has been given a measure of the Holy Spirit which allows him special ability to expound the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is one who is divinely inspired. This differs greatly from those who are inspired in an earthly way, such as William Shakespeare or Michael Crichton. Divine inspiration is that which is literally “theopneustos” or God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). Second Samuel 23:2 puts it this way; “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” Peter expands by saying, in 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” In other words, …

Bible Authority

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Jeremiah wrote the foregoing more than 600 years before Jesus Christ was born. He wrote it because he saw the plight and predicament of God’s people. They were in an awful state, and Babylon’s forces were soon to come upon them and carry them into captivity. Jeremiah knew that the reason for the terrible condition God’s people were in was that they did not follow the instruction God had given them; they had ignored his Word. So, Jeremiah declared “the way of man is not in himself,” and “it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Still True It is still true that without divine direction man is not capable of directing his steps, even though some teach to the contrary in the doctrine of humanism. In order for one to live right in this world and to live with God in eternity, he must submit to God’s authority and direction. This authority is conveyed to us, or administered to us in the Bible. God Speaks ToUs Through Christ Before Christ came, God spoke through prophets in various ways, but in these last days, or the Christian age, God speaks unto us by his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). God made this clear when he spoke to Peter, James and John, and said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I …

John 3:16

One of our most essential tasks is to handle God’s Word aright (2 Timothy 2:15, ASV). However, the sad truth is that there are some who “corrupt the word of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17), handle “the word of God deceitfully” (2 Corinthians 4:2) and “wrest” the scriptures “unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Experience teaches us that it is possible for people to have a broad range of Bible knowledge, and yet have it so confused as to misrepresent (intentionally or unintentionally) its real meaning. We should remember Paul’s warning to the churches of Galatia, that there are “some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7). The passage which carries the distinction of being the most memorized verse of the New Testament is also one of the most widely perverted passages spanning both testaments. In John 3:16 we find Jesus saying, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This passage has had many thrilling tributes laid at its feet. It is known to all as, “The Golden Text of the Bible.” The great Foy E. Wallace, Jr., called John 3:16, “The most wonderful sentence ever written. The sum total of the whole plan of salvation. The little Bible — the ‘Gospel in a Nutshell.’”1 Matthew Henry said, “Here is the gospel indeed, good news, the best that ever came from heaven to earth. Here is much, …

Guilt Can Be Good

The famine that Joseph prophesied would come to pass in Egypt also took in the land of Canaan, so that Jacob sent his ten eldest sons to Egypt in order to buy food. When they arrived in Egypt, they went to buy grain along with the others but did not recognize Joseph who was in charge of selling the grain. Joseph, however, recognized his brothers and, testing them, charged them with spying, put them in prison for three days, and then allowed them to go on the condition that one brother stay behind while the others went to get the youngest who had been left behind. His brothers then said, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us” (Genesis 42:21). After twenty years, Joseph’s brothers felt the full weight of their guilt regarding their treatment of Joseph. We also often let society mold us so that we do not feel guilty when we sin. It takes some that long to realize their mistakes in youth. It often takes parents twenty years to feel guilty over their mistakes raising their children, and longer still for those whose consciences are seared. But guilt because of sin is good because only when we feel guilty will we try to make the necessary correction.

So Much to Watch, So Little Time (Part 4)

This article is the fourth and last in a series on personalities. Each article considers one of four personality types and looks at examples of that type found in the Bible. The last personality type is that of the phlegmatic, the watcher. These individuals, like the melancholies, are not aggressive. In fact, this person is very passive. He is tolerant of others, content and balanced. The phlegmatic is a good listener and as such makes a good mediator. He tries hard not to be offensive to anyone. An adaptable person, he is friendly, but shy and very consistent. Like the other three personalities, the phlegmatic has his weaknesses. This individual is so much the watcher that he becomes involved in as little as possible. He is fearful, indecisive and hesitant of things in life. This characteristic leads to a compromising nature. Often the phlegmatic worries over everything. Phlegmatics come across as indifferent and unenthusiastic, lazy and sluggish. The phlegmatic person is not easily excited. If a job has to be done, he wants to do it the easy way. His goal in life is to have peace. These people need respect and a sense of self-worth. If you observe a person patiently watching activities around him, trying to make peace or working with small details, you are looking at a phlegmatic. We have already looked at Bible examples of the sanguine, choleric and melancholy personality types. In each instance the individuals allowed God to be a great influence in their …

Do I Have To?

Of all the questions Christians ask, one question stands out in my mind as highly disrespectful and an indicator of deep spiritual problems. The question is, “Do we have to attend Sunday and Wednesday night assemblies?” The answer is, if these assemblies are available, yes we do. Now, let’s examine the evidence. A natural place to turn for an answer to this question is Hebrews 10:24-25. This passage says, “. . . let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” After diligent study of this passage, we correctly conclude that it is dealing with one assembly on the first day of every week. The Bible, then, does not deal directly with additional assemblies. Up to this point, our reasoning is valid. The problem is that some brethren, based on this passage, make an erroneous assumption. They assume that, since the Bible does not deal directly with additional assemblies, the attendance of such assemblies is optional. That assumption is not correct, and this is why. Since this passage in no way deals with additional assemblies, it cannot condemn or approve such assemblies. This passage contains a command to assemble ourselves together. Further, New Testament study teaches us that this assembling is to occur on the first day of every week. Do we have to attend Sunday night and …

Why Would a Person Want to Repent?

What causes a person to want to repent? This is a good question for pondering in light of our responsibility to persuade men to turn to the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11). Repenting is, indeed, turning, changing direction, doing an about face. It is spiritual in nature but necessarily effects our practical behavior. The drunk realizes his exclusion from the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21) and gives up his mind-numbing practice. The backbiter ceases to speak stabbing words and speaks what is good for edification. These are examples of repentance, but the question remains, what causes a person to want to change? Guilt. One phenomenon that separates man, made in God’s image, from beasts is that of conscience. Men and women feel remorse when they’ve done something they feel is wrong. True, the conscience needs trained for sensitivity and guidance by revelation, not just feelings. It is possible to be sincere about a belief, but still wrong (cf. Romans 10:1-3). However, conscience is implanted within man (cf. Romans 2:14-15) and he feels badly when his course is defined by objective wrongdoing. The guilt can be ignored, causing one’s conscience to become hardened (cf. 1 Timothy 4:2). Preferably, it can motivate one to repent. Then, he can seek the forgiveness of the Lord through obedience to his commands, and begin a new life of guilt-free service (Romans 6:3-6). In answering our question, “What causes a person to want to repent?” then, we are led to an ensuing question: “What causes one to realize …

A Tribute to Bible Teachers

To those who teach God’s Word to the young, I offer this tribute. May God bless you for all the hours spent in study of the Word. You are the one who sparked that flame of excitement. Little hands held out a paper, saying, “Look, Mommy. I learned about Jesus today.” As the years went by, the flame grew brighter. Boring things like learning the books of the Bible became lively games in your class. “Teacher” knew all the Bible answers. You set an example I could be proud to have my children follow. The time of decision came. You taught the truth, urging my children to “count the cost.” You shared my joy when one was baptized at an early age, as well as my concern for the one who waited for his own right time. Then there were more hours of study devoted to teaching the deeper doctrinal matters. Instruction on Christian character impressed the importance of letting their lights shine brightly. Soon they will have children of their own. Bible class teacher, don’t quit now! Another generation awaits like candles. God be with you as you strike another match.

I Have a Friend

God’s Word defines a friend as that person that “sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Do you have a friend like this? I do and I want to tell you about him. My friend is always ready to help. When I have many fears and frustrations, my friend is willing to help. If I am sick, my friend is there. If I am in trouble, my friend is there offering help. My “friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17). My friend is easy to talk to. If I need advice, I talk to him. If I need comfort, he is there. There is nothing that I cannot talk to my friend about. My friend is the best listener. My friend sets the best example for me. When I look at my friend, I know how I should act. And I know how I should live by looking at him (1 Peter 2:21). My friend’s example is the perfect example of being “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). My friend is faithful to me. He has told me he will never leave me (Hebrews 13:5). As long as I am doing right, my friend will go with me to all the places I go. Even if I walk through the valley of death, I know my friend will be there (Psalm 23:4). Jesus is my friend. Read the Bible, obey the Bible and live how the …

Important Words in Galatians 6:1

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Galatia. The name of the letter is Galatians. In chapter six and verse one we read, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” The word in the Greek translated as “restore” is a very interesting word. It was used by the Greeks to mean several different things. We will look at a few of these meanings in this article and see how they may apply. Mending a Net The word was used for mending a net. In the first century, nets were used for fishing. These nets were very important. If they became broken, the fishermen could not catch the fish. Every time a fisherman came back from fishing, he would look over his net. He would inspect the entire net to make sure that there were no broken places and that there were no weak places. If he found such, he would fix it. He would try to make the net be as good as it was when new. We are to do this with members of the church who are broken spiritually. We need to look them over very carefully and see where the problem is. Then, we need to do whatever is needed to fix them spiritually. We want to help them become just as good as when they became new Christians. It is interesting …

The Star and The Scepter

Introduction: 1.         As strange as it might seem, the great books of Exodus and Leviticus have no specific predictions of the coming, and the work of Jesus Christ. 2.         The sacred record that we call the Bible, reveals only three Messianic prophecies that date to the time period in which Moses lived. 3.         One of these came from the mouth of Jehovah himself, one came from the hypocritical prophet Balaam, and one from the great lawgiver Moses.  None of these are found in the Books of Exodus and Leviticus, but are found later in the writings of Moses. 4.         The utterance of our text, namely Numbers 24:17, was the fourth prophecy that was spoken by the soothsayer Balaam when he was employed by Balak, king of the Moabites, to curse the children of Israel when they were camped in the plains of Moab. 5.         It can be dated to the fortieth year after the Exodus from Egypt, and therefore, was given about 1407 B.C. 6.         Three times Balaam tried to pronounce a curse upon the people of God, but each time Jehovah turned his curse into a blessing.  Before he left Balak, Balaam volunteered to portray the future of Israel prophetically. 7.         In this last oracle by Balaam, the personal Messianic element appears. Through the mouth of the two-faced prophet, Jehovah continued to develop the theme of the royal Messiah which is found in Jacob’s prediction regarding Shiloh’s rule in Genesis 49:10. 8.         That this is a prophecy of the coming royal Messiah is supported by the following facts: a)         The …

Tongues of Angels

From time to time we receive questions from members of the congregation, and one that we received recently has to do with the tongues of angels mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:1. We enjoy receiving questions from time to time because it indicates that people are studying the Bible for themselves, and that they are serious about that study in that they are asking questions about the things they do not understand. The passage under consideration reads as follows: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” If I am understanding the question properly the questioner wants to know if the angels in heaven speak a language all their own, and is that what Paul was referring to when he spoke of the languages “of men and of angels”? As to what languages may be spoken in heaven by the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the angels, those of us who dwell on the earth would have no way of knowing. Every time the Bible speaks of something that is said in heaven, or something that is said by God or by angels that has been spoken in the languages in which the Bible was written, or in the language spoken by the hearers at the time, it is intelligible to mankind. For example, at the transfiguration of Jesus the voice of God came out of a cloud and said, “This …

Christian Work Ethic

Occasionally, one might pause while at work and ponder, “What am I doing here!” Certainly there are many other places, doing many other things, by which one might make a living. It may be that a person simply does not enjoy his or her livelihood and further may feel unable to alter the vocational circumstances at hand. Caution is warranted lest we are overpowered by exasperation or even desperation. Further, there is a role that every Christian employee has toward our Lord that goes beyond the simple role of an employee. It is not difficult to imagine that Joseph could have sometimes posed the question, “What am I doing here!” Would we have asked that question were we sold into slavery by our siblings? Would we have uttered that refrain again as a slave in Egypt and maybe again while in an Egyptian prison? Joseph, however, excelled in the face of adversity and did not forget God. His work ethic under intolerable conditions (by our standards) was outstanding. Several other Bible characters demonstrated admirable work ethics under difficult circumstances — and did not forget God. From a purely human perspective, one may be in a job where everything is going right and the child of God still ponders, “What am I doing here?” Hard to imagine, perhaps, but it is possible. Moses was a child of God in such a situation. Essentially, he asked himself this question and answered it by choosing not to enjoy the pleasures of sin for …

Adam’s Infamous Gift

Initially, Adam and Eve possessed either immortal bodies or mortal bodies immortally maintained. In any case, after they sinned and they were no longer allowed to eat from the tree of life, the mortality with which we are familiar was first experienced by them. As a penalty for their sin, God decreed that they were to die. As a consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin, death was passed on to all mankind. Contrary to Calvinism, though, the guilt of sin is not inherited by descendants of the first couple. Adam and Eve were created, but their posterity is the result of procreation. Since we neither have access to the tree of life nor has procreation endowed us with immortal bodies, we are subject to death, too. In this way we can easily understand “. . . in Adam all die . . .” (1 Corinthians 15:22), “. . . by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12), and “. . . by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation . . . by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners . . .” (Romans 5:18-19). Obviously, death and mortality, as a consequence of Adam’s sin, are universally experienced by mankind. In a sense, all men are participants in the first sin representatively through Adam — in the same way Levi representatively through Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Hebrews …

The Human Body: An Introduction

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). With these words and actions of God, we see the origin of man. As I look from time to time in these articles at the marvelous things that we see in the world around us that God has created, we many times over look ourselves. Thousands of years ago before all of the recent medical discoveries, the psalmist penned these words. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth” (Psalms 139:14-15). What words would David have used if he was able to know what we know now? Well, I’m not sure that any other words could adequately describe the awe and reverence that we should show for God because of his creating us than “I will praise thee.” For indeed as we look at the human body in minute details possible today, we can see that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” The body does some truly amazing things just consider: In an average day your body will exercise 7,000,000 brain cells beat your heart 103,689 times pump blood 68,000,000 miles speak 48,000 words using 72 different muscles for each word inhale 438 cubic …

Microevolution and Macroevolution

When we as Christians hear the term evolution, I hope there is real understanding about what the Bible and science teach to be true. There is usually a great deal of misunderstanding about what, if anything, a believer in the biblical account of the creation of the world can believe and support. I hope I can shed some light upon this subject. Evolution itself means to unfold or to change. There is nothing in the word that is biblical or against the principles of God. There are many ways that things can evolve; relationships change, situations unfold and the changes a butterfly goes through from a caterpillar to an adult are all evolution. So, the idea of evolution is one that we do not have to oppose when used in these ways. But, the word evolution is also used to refer to the General Theory of Organic Evolution. This is the imagined changes that have occurred from a single celled organism, to plants, to animals and all the way to man. These changes are thought to have occurred over millions and millions of years in the earth’s past. This idea tries to explain the world and all life forms without the need for God. This idea is unscriptural, unscientific and unprovable. As Christians, we cannot support the use of the word in this way! If we are to be more precise in what we talk about and believe, we must learn to use two other words, microevolution and macroevolution. Let’s look at …

Building a House of Prayer, Part 1

Is the congregation you attend a “praying church?” “We always have an opening and closing prayer,” you say. That’s good, but is it enough to qualify us as a “praying church?” Do we have special periods of prayer set aside for members to get together and pray? Does anyone go to them? Are there opportunities for members to make prayer requests and lists kept and distributed to them? How many Bible classes, sermons and bulletin articles in the past twelve months emphasized prayer? What percentage of the membership prays daily beyond offering thanksgiving for meals? God’s house is many things, but it is nothing if it is not a house of prayer. Many congregations would benefit from giving more emphasis to prayer. One said, “To pray without action is hypocrisy. To act without prayer is pagan.” It’s easy for a Christian to be guilty of both. Do you remember what the Lord said the day he cleaned house at the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13)? Try to picture him standing to one side of the Court of the Gentiles and watching the Jews buying and selling sacrificial animals. His anger grew as their profits amassed. One historian tries to paint the scene: Money was changed from foreign currency into the half shekel used to pay the Temple tax. These actions were seldom quiet and not always honest. As He watched the buying and selling, the haggling and cheating, His displeasure grew. If those who passed Him by had noticed, they might have …

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Matthew 13:44 Introduction The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price are sometimes called the twin parables.  Both emphasize the value of the kingdom to individuals and together represent the common Hebrew practice of parallelism.  These two parables plus The Parable of the Drag Net and The Parable of the Householder were spoken to the apostles after Jesus sent the multitude away, returned to Capernaum and entered a house (Matthew 13:36). Especially in The Parable of the Hidden Treasure there are details that often arouse curiosity.  Some people propose that a moral or ethical problem exists.  For instance, was the treasure-finder in this parable dishonest for hiding the treasure again, not informing the owner of the land and purchasing the field? The parable does not address the ethics of the treasure-finder.  Jesus neither sanctioned nor condemned the motives and activities of the man in this regard.  Similarly, God is somewhat compared to an unjust judge in a parable that encourages persistency in prayer (Luke 18:1-8).  Not every part of a parable is presented for imitation.  One must be careful not to press a parable beyond the lesson it was intended to teach.  The emphasis in The Hidden Treasure is on the vigor with which an individual sought the kingdom of heaven.  Idle questions such as why the owner of the treasure never retrieved it or why the current owners of the field were willing to sell it or why the treasure-finder was prospecting on another person’s property are not relevant to the spiritual message Jesus conveyed.  “The secret …