Nice post B4Real.
But I ask, what do you base you understanding on about women?
The reason I ask is that there is no difference between man and woman in the body of Christ, we are all one, so why is there a difference between man and woman in the "work place"? I'm not convinved there is a difference, spiritually speaking, and spiritually is how we are to look at things.
As for the rest fo your observations, I agree.
I think though you meant "mammon", not manna!
"Ye cannot serve God and mammon".
And I agree. God does call us to preach the gospel, to do the work of an evangalist, making full proof of our ministry. Preaching isn't a job, it's what Christians do as a result of their faith. It is our "holy calling".
Some may say that Jesus called only the Apostles away from their worldly jobs, and it was only them that Jesus called to do the work of an evangalist, but I contend that Jesus calls ALL believers the same way, to do the same thing.
"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." 1 Corinthians 7:23 (KJB)Jesus Himself says we are not of the world, so why would we be unequally yoked together with the world?
The hard part I believe people have with this though is that they fear the unknown. They have been told they must be a productive citizen, paying taxes, pursuing a career, building a college fund for their children and retirement, etc. and that is how most think. The thought of walking away from the cars, coffee makers, and iPhones and their jobs and not looking back I suspect terrifies many, and like the ones that Jesus called initially, they have all kinds of excuses to not "drop their nets" and go with Jesus.
As pointed out, it is common for churchianity to put pressure on people to be burdened with the world, and they do so through the "Romans 13" doctrine claiming that we are subject to authorities, governments, etc. They want everybody else burdened like they are. They point out the verse about if you don't work you don't eat, but that's a misuse of the verse, as it's spiritual, not carnal. The "work" is as scripture calls it, "working with our hands that thing which is good".
Taking care of your household is primary, and I agree, it has changed, as far as what things around the house requires attention. So many things are manufactured now that people don't have to spend the time making chairs, and fixing roofs, and tending gardens and animals. They just go buy it at the store. But to do that, a person must participate in the worldly system, to earn the filthy lucre to pay for all those wordly items. God I believe does not answer prayers for a new iPod for xmas, or a pay raise at work! People are praying for the wrong things, and receive not...
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts." James 4:3 (KJB)In one of the letters, Paul says that they laboured night and day that they weren't chargeable to anyone.(2 Thessalonians 3:
. THAT labour was not making tents, though it says that Paul stayed with a couple for a time who were of the same craft; tentmakers. What they laboured at was the ministry of spreading the gospel.
We who are called, are called to work in the ministry, not in the world, and who are called? Everybody.
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:19 (KJB)