Is there any evidence in the New Testament that the giving Paul asked for was meant to continue past him picking up the funds?

Sincerely,
The Buck Stops Here

Dear The Buck Stops Here,

1 Cor 16:1-2 was a collection taken up specifically for the case of benevolence, but it is also the only Bible example we have of how to collect funds when the church has a need.

In the particular case of the Corinthian church, they needed to collect funds for benevolence… and that was a very common reason for collection in that time of Christian persecution.  In today’s culture and world the church finds itself in, we need to pay for things that the first century saints would never have dreamed of (“Electrical bills?  What are those?!”).  However, just because the expenses we face are not the same, that doesn’t mean that the same guidelines don’t apply.  1 Cor 16:1-2 outlines the mode with which to collect funds to pay for whatever expenses a church may incur.  It also explains that it is appropriate for the church to have a store of money for future expenses (1 Cor 16:2-3).

I have a million questions, but let's start with Genesis 1:1.  What does "In the beginning" mean exactly?  God doesn't have a beginning or end, so whose beginning is it exactly?  Also, "God created the heavens and the earth": does ‘heavens’ mean like where we'll go someday, where God resides, the sky above us, or does it mean the universe?  ‘The earth’ I'm assuming refers to the planet Earth, or does it mean the ground on the planet Earth?  Thank you!

Sincerely,
Back To The Beginning

Dear Back To The Beginning,

“In the beginning” refers to our beginning, not God’s.  Gen 1:1 marks the beginning of mankind and this world’s existence.  You are absolutely right that God has no beginning or end (1 Tim 1:17).  But mankind had a beginning, and that is what is being discussed.

When the “heavens and earth” are discussed in Gen 1:1, those words refer to the first day of creation when the planet earth was created formless and void (Gen 1:2); the dry land on this planet wasn’t created until day three (Gen 1:9-13).  The heavens created at this time would be all the rest of the universe – but wouldn’t include the blue skies of Earth’s atmosphere (those were created on day two – Gen 1:6-8).  We hope that helps with your understanding of the wonderful account of how God created the universe.

Hi.  Not sure what to do; my daughter is now eleven-years-old, and her friend is into the peace symbol.  She has it everywhere, her clothes, her room, just everywhere; my daughter is starting to like it; my wife doesn't mind it; she likes it also.  For some reason, I do not like it.  I do not even like seeing it.  It bothers me when I see my daughter wearing it.  There is no other sign but the CROSS; Jesus is our Prince of Peace.  I know it represents peace.  I worry; will they mistake that peace for the peace sign that she wears?  I just do not know what to do.  How can that sign represent peace?  I am worried about her.  I just don't want anything that will dim her light.  I want her to be as close to God as possible, but I don't know what to do.  One thing I always remember is not to bring your children to anger; they will be discouraged.  I talked to her, told her how I felt, and she still wants to keep it, and my wife likes it.  She says there is nothing wrong with it.  What do I tell them?  Do I just over look it?  Would like some advice.

Sincerely,
No Outer Peace

Dear No Outer Peace,

Eph 6:4 could be summarized in the idea “pick your battles as a parent”.  This is not a battle worth picking.  The peace symbol is not a religious symbol (although, there have been times where it represented a fanatical worldview), and symbols are not in contradiction to Christ.  National flags are symbols, and yet, they are permissible (1 Pet 2:13-14); many, many, christians proudly wave the American flag in front of their homes without ever wavering in their allegiance to Christ above all others.  The peace symbol simply means ‘peace’ – it is up to your child and your family to give context to that term.

I am in the process of moving out of my apartment and into a house I just bought.  It's well before my lease is up, and my landlord will not let me break the lease.  Because of this, I have been advertising to find someone to sublet the apartment from me.  An unmarried couple is interested in the apartment, and they appear to be planning to live together.  If I were to sublet to them, would I be sinning by enabling this unscriptural living arrangement?

Furthermore, I haven't been able to find a clear answer, but it seems that discriminating based on being an unmarried couple living together may be illegal under the Fair Housing Act.  If this is the case, how should it factor into my decision?

Sincerely,
Landlord?

Dear Landlord,

These are the type of predicaments that test our wisdom and personal judgment.  On the one hand, the argument can be made that you are not causing them to live in sin, and they would just live somewhere else if you don’t sublet your apartment to them.  On the other hand, it is very easy to come to the conclusion that you are yoking yourself to an ungodly lifestyle (2 Cor 6:14).  In short, we would not be too quick to judge another christian’s decision in this area.

However, we can say that it would be impossible for us to sublet this apartment in good conscience if it were our decision, and anything not done in faith is sin (Rom 14:23).  Furthermore, if something becomes an issue of morality, then that supersedes any legal issues.  We must always obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).  The cons of this situation seem to far outweigh the pros.  This couple is openly living an ungodly lifestyle, which sets you up for a potentially damaging relationship as per 2 Cor 6:14-18.  Not only are they harming themselves, but there is a good chance that subletting to them will harm you as well.

Many religions wear symbols of their dedication or “religiosity”.  Despite their sincerity, some may wear prayer beads, crosses, or tattoo themselves as reminders or as objects of worship.  Yes, it is wrong to worship anything but God; however, is it wrong to wear a cross just because it’s pretty?  Or would it be an unwise idea due to the societal connotations?

Sincerely,
A Little Glam

Dear A Little Glam,

Wearing a cross is not inherently a sin, but there are some principles that reveal it to be not a very good idea.  The problem with crosses and other religious garb are threefold:

1. As you stated, some people use crosses, rabbit’s feet, rosary beads, etc. as forms of worship and superstition.  This is wrong.  God soundly condemns superstition, the occult, and idol worship (1 Cor 10:7, Acts 19:19, Matt 4:10).
2. God tells us that it is our character that should proclaim our Christianity – not our clothing (1 Pet 3:3-4).  In an attempt to look the part of being faithful, many people wear crosses, slap “WWJD” bumper stickers on their cars, and tattoo themselves with the words “Jesus Freak”… which rarely leaves the impression they intended.  Let the world know you are a christian because of who you are and how you live.
3. Crosses are designed to be beautiful, ornate, and elegant nowadays – which thoroughly negates the message of the cross.  The cross of Christ was anything but pretty.  It was a torture device intended to inflict the highest degree of pain possible upon the Son of God.  We here at AYP sometimes wonder if Jesus had been killed by electrocution if everyone would have little electric chairs hanging around their necks…

Suffice it to say, wearing religious jewelry, at best, sends a mixed message – at worst, it sends the wrong message.