And we thought it had to do with money?!…

“‘Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.’ They brought the coin, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s'” (Mark 12:15-17).

What are “the things that are God’s”? Presumably, whatever bears the image of God. Jesus then was saying, “Give your money to Caesar; it has his image on it, and thus belongs to him. But give yourselves to God. You bear his image, and you belong to him.

(extract from Erickson’s “Christian Theology Second Edition”).

my name is darryl
and this is what i have to say

Does familiarity really breed contempt?

I don’t know if I can agree with the concept that familiarity breeds contempt. I mean, I get what they’re trying to say with the whole thing, but instead of highlighting the true root problem, they’re attacking the relational aspect of human character. And the bigger problem for me is that by attacking the relational aspect of human nature, they are essentially attacking the image of God created in us, in humans.

You see, familiarity breeds familiarity, not contempt. Unfulfilled expectation breeds contempt. And expectations are at the end of it all, self centred. This is the root problem. People don’t fall out of love because they spend too much time with each other, but because one of them expects, desires or demands more from the other person (see Philippians 2:3-4).

Indeed, in an environment of love, familiarity should be breed commonality, fulfilment and contentment. People should be so aware of what the other’s passions, dreams and desires are, that they are moving towards fulfilling it, therein then becoming one in mind with the other. They then become familiar (that is like minded or the same) with the other (see 2 Corinthians 13:11 & 1 Peter 3:8).

Marriage teaches us this very thing. Some people like Paul know it instinctively (by the grace of God). Others need marriage to teach them it. So too, when we give up our own expectations of God, we can become familiar in spirit with Him and therein attain the goals that He wishes to attain (Philippians 1:27).

If familiarity did indeed breed contempt, then eternity would be a very awful place; for how could we be expected to live for eternity with a familiar God if all it did was lead to a distaste of Him?

my name is darryl
and this is what i have to say

Scripture references:
Unless otherwise noted, all references are from the New King James Version

Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

2 Corinthians 13:11 … Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,