Quote:
Originally Posted by BreadFish
After 10 years of LC Life and I start to know what's the problem and How to solve it.
As a brother who has had similar experiences and is still serving, I would like to share my own opinions:
1. The vision of God's economy (greek: oikonomia) seen by Witness Lee is according to the Bible. There are no problems of most of the teachings of Brother Lee.
2. The real problem is the spirit capacity of Local Church leaders...
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I would ask all readers, be willing to really question point #1. If you just accept it without proving it, then you base your life on what someone has told you is true, not on what you have proven to be true. In my case, once I began to 'test all thing' in the teaching, it fell apart quickly. It was not truth, but speculation, not founded on scripture.
Instead, what emerged for me was different, based more solidly on scripture, and made sense of the Bible, and the New Testament made more sense. In Galations 2, the Jerusalem Brothers sent Paul out, laying hands, saying "remember the poor", which Paul said he was eager to do. Why was Paul eager to remember the poor? Because it was God's economy.
Man's economy is to store up for oneself treasure on earth. God's economy is to store up treasure in heaven. This is Jesus' teaching, and the Twelve and Paul all agreed. Peter was Apostle to the Circumcision, Paul to the Uncircumcision per Galatians 2, but they both had the same ministry: remember the poor.
Why do you think Paul came back to Jerusalem, years later, with "alms for my nation"? Because that's what the Twelve asked, and what he was eager to do. It was God's economy. "Give to those who have no means to repay you, and your reward will be great in heaven". Do you think this is an earthly teaching? Or something of the minds of fallen humanity? Or rather a revelation from the Father of lights?
Jesus said, "Who eats me will live" but he didn't say "Eat me by pray-reading". Jesus didn't say, "My food is to pray-read scripture". Rather it was to do the will of the Father. And he further said, "As I obey the Father (eat) and live, so you obey (eat) me and live" The word is not for hearing but for doing. The doing is the eating. It's very clear, once you see it.
Paul repeatedly asked all the churches to share with the poor of Jerusalem.
Romans 15:23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 8:8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich... 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
Don't be a disciple in word only, but in deed, by obeying the call by God to be generous (i.e., love) to one another. This is God's economy. Don't look at "the brothers" or their capacity to lead or serve. Certainly don't look at yourself! Look at Jesus, who calls, "Give to one another, forgive, be kind, be merciful, be generous, be patient" If you care for your self, your spiritual 'development' or 'transformation' you will likely be deceived, and self-satisfied. No, give to one another without thought of reward, and your reward will be great in heaven. Because this is God's economy.
Notice that Paul teaches this in every church. He teaches the Rome church, the Corinth church, the Galatian church (1 Cor 16:1), the Macedonian churches (2 Cor 8:1-5). He told Timothy to stay behind and teach this in Ephesus. Why is God's economy based on faith? You have to believe, to give to one another without hoping for earthly return. Your reward will be in heaven. This takes faith. Everywhere Paul went, he taught God's economy. Love one another.