My question is probably going to be a difficult one, and being that I'm rejoining the Lord and seeking Him at this crucial time in my life, I need some direction in scripture that will clarify this question.  I keep coming back to it, but I have yet to find the answer myself.  Is the Catholic church’s practice of Veneration, "respectfully bowing or making the sign of the cross before a saint's icon, relics, or statue," a violation of the commandment, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them"?

Sincerely,
Statue Struggle

Dear Statue Struggle,

Yes.  Worship and veneration of “saints” and other Catholic relics is wrong.  God very specifically says that we should not serve anyone other than Him (Lk 4:8).  Paul even told the Athenians that their statues of worship were a sign of their ignorance of the one true God (Acts 17:23).  Catholicism doesn’t get its teachings from the Bible; they get them from a manmade organization in Vatican City, specifically the Pope.  Catholicism is wrong, and many of their practices are in direct violation of Scripture (such as forbidding marriage and abstaining from certain foods – 1 Tim 4:3).  Feel free to peruse other questions on the Catholic church in our archives under the Catholic category… you’ll find that time and time again Catholic practices disregard Bible truths.  Religion without adherence to the Bible isn’t faithful (Rom 10:17), and it isn’t pleasing to God (2 Tim 3:16-17).  It is our job to look intently into the Scriptures and test all religions against them (Acts 17:11, 1 Jn 4:1).  Catholicism fails the test.  If you would like help finding a congregation that passes the test, or you would like to study further, please e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

Is going to Hooters restaurant sinful?

Sincerely,
Food Critic

Dear Food Critic,

Any restaurant that is designed around immodestly dressed women and provocative overtones is wrong.  The whole concept behind that restaurant is to glorify the lust of the flesh (1 Jn 2:16).  God makes it clear that some situations and places are unhealthy for our souls.  Whether it be a restaurant, a party, a friendship, etc., if it is built upon an unwholesome foundation – it probably isn’t the type of place you want to be a part of (1 Tim 6:19).  Guard your soul carefully and protect it from wicked temptation (1 Jn 5:21).

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

People seem to think that Jesus was a poor man who had very little.  Most of it stems from His verse about the rich man, camel, and the eye of a needle (Matt 19:24).  The wise men bestowed baby Jesus with great gifts.  After He died for our sins, the Romans cast lots for His robe.  Did the Romans like wearing rags, or did Jesus have some nice things?  I argue this with atheists who have contempt for rich christians.  They think all christians should be penniless.  I myself am jobless, yet I have been given an opportunity for further education.  It is hand-to-mouth, but I am happy and content.  Do you think the government should take people’s money and redistribute it, or is it man's free will?  My question is: was Jesus poor?

Sincerely,
Savings & Trust

Dear Savings & Trust,

We will tactfully sidestep your political question and leave that for a website dedicated to such matters, but we can comfortably answer your question regarding Jesus’ economic state.  Jesus was poor.  When Jesus preached, He was supported by benevolent women (Lk 8:1-3).  Jesus was the child of poor parents.  When the baby Jesus was presented at the temple, His parents made a sacrifice of two turtledoves (Lk 2:22-24).  Turtledoves were only allowed to be used as an offering if the parents were impoverished (Lev 12:5-8).

However, just because Jesus was poor doesn’t mean that He didn’t have a few nice things… like the robe you mentioned (Jhn 19:23-24).  It also doesn’t mean that Jesus requires all faithful people to be poor.  Solomon was faithful, and he was very wealthy (2 Chr 1:11-12).  It isn’t money that is sinful; it is the love of money (also known as greed) that is evil (1 Tim 6:10).  As you mentioned, contentment is the key (Heb 13:5)… as well as a willingness to give of what you have (2 Cor 8:12, 2 Cor 9:7).