Here is the scenerio.....

[newbeliever02072005]

Hello Everyone!

I am needing some opinions about this scenerio.

One evening I was reading to the kids a devotional. Its topic was how God provides for us. Towards the end of the reading, my husband (keep in mind he is not a christian) hollars up the stairs...."I'll go to church if God provides me with a set of 429 Cobra Jet Heads on the front porch tomorrow morning". So, my natural response to him was ok, I'll make sure I'll pray really hard for that. Needless to say the heads never showed up. However in the morning he did agree to give me more time to come up with the heads. He also agreed to six months of going to church if they are provided.

The time has arrived....I found them on ebay. This is where I need some opinions.

1. Is it wrong to be placing bets when God is at stake?

2. Do you think that bribing someone to go to church is ok?


God Bless!
newbeliever :)

[Wildwood]

I was also married to an unbeliever, so I understand a little of how you feel. I don't think you really "bet" so I'll just think about whether it is OK to bribe someone to go to church. I can't think of anything like this in the Bible in which someone was persuaded to go to church. But, don't parents do that with children?

We do know that God says His Word will not return to Him void--that it is powerful, and by going to church, even if he is doing it to fulfill his obligation under your deal, he'll hear the Word and be around other Believers.

I would ask him if he really means it--not as a bet but as a contract. You know if your husband will be faithful in keeping this promise. You could even draft a simple contract:

In consideration of their mutual promises:

1. Husband hereby promises to attend church with Wife for six months, 3 out of 4 Sundays per month, commencing on the first Sunday after delivery of the 329 Cobra Jet Heads, as set forth below; and

2. Wife hereby promises to buy Husband a set of 329 Cobra Jet Heads to be purchased within one week of execution of this Agreement by Husband.

If Husband defaults on his promise, he agrees to reimburse Wife for the price of the heads on a prorated basis calculated by dividing the cost of the heads by 18 and multiplying that amount by the number of Sundays Husband fails to attend church as promised.

Signed this __ day of August, 2005.
______________________ (husband)
______________________ (wife)




If he agrees, and you trust him, I would buy them.

[aReformedPatriot]

Well first off, God is not providing them you are. Secondly, God does provide for us, our needs, if the Jet heads are a need, God would no doubt supply them. It reminds me of something Jesus said. He said, "I will give you no signs because you would demand another sign on top of that" (Mark's bad paraphrase :P)

1. yes
2. Not sure.

At the sametime, he said he'd be willing to give you more time. It sounds like your slowly making progress and he is allowing you more time to come up with the heads. If you get them tell him that you have gotten them for him, because you want him to come to church with you for 6 months. Dont push him, but lovingly draw him in.

:prayer: Praying for the jet heads to be on the steps tommorow if its God's will and also that your husband would desire to come to church without them. :)

I am glad that I have been able to watch you grow in the Lord the last few months. Even if it is only reading your words on a screen. I praise God for it.

[MagusAlbertus]

Sounds like your paying him for being atheist, why would he change what works for him?

If he’s willing to go to church then he should go out of respect and love for you, similarly if his heart is set on something then you should buy it for him, out of respect and love for him.
But I’ve got no idea what the dynamic of your relationship is.

[Iollain]

I would get them if you can afford them, just because. Are they expensive things?

[arunma]

I can certainly understand this situation. My family are all unbelievers. Your kids are certainly blessed to have you around. Well anyway, here are my opinions, for what they're worth...

1. I think it's wrong to place any bets when God is at stake (unless it's something innocuous, like a $5 bet on who will be the next pastor of your church, or something of that nature). But what really stands out here is that your husband is expecting "stuff" in exchange for his devotion to God. My father is in a slightly similar situation to your husband. Right now, his career isn't going as well as he'd hoped, and he seems to believe that if he prays to God enough, or that if he does the right rituals, God will reward him with monetary success.

Paul says that we were bought at a price, and that price was the life of Christ. So when we become Christians, God is taking that which already belongs to him: our souls. If somebody presents God with a condition which must be fulfilled in order for him to become a believer, then he is asking God to pay a second time. I don't believe that such a faith will ever bear any fruit.

2. It certainly is wrong to bribe someone to go to church. For example, in India, there is a small group of corrupt, false missionaries who pay Hindu idolaters to "convert." Usually, these individuals will find poor villagers, and offer them some sort of compensation for attending church. This is very similar to evil Simon the Sorcerer, who tried to pay Peter for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is clear that God does not bless the work of these false Christians, because the Hindus usually return to their idolatry within a year.

Of course, Wildwood brings up a good point. Often times, parents will reward their children for good behavior. Church attendance is often rewarded with TV time, or something else of this nature. Of course in this case, we're talking about an adult. Since our treasure is in heaven, I'm extremely opposed to the idea that Christians are given any reward here on earth. In spite of this, her contract idea seems like a good one.

Having said all of this, keep in mind that these are the lay opinions of a 21 year old who has virtually no life experience. I wouldn't presume to counsel a married couple, so please take what I say with a grain of salt. But I will pray for your husband, because there's no age requirement for that.

[mesue]

1. Is it wrong to be placing bets when God is at stake?
Yes, if that is what you are doing.
It's more like casting your fleece on the floor. Except Gideon didn't ask for material gain.
Judges 6:37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

2. Do you think that bribing someone to go to church is ok?


God Bless!
newbeliever :)
If you have the means to by what your husband desires, if you can purchase them without going into debt,then God has provided a way. God is the provider of all things. :)

[ZiSunka]

God doesn't bribe people to love him, so I would say, no don't order the heads.

God will take to him in a different way. But He's not so desperate that He will respond to extortion or threats. If you buy him the heads, you are acting in the role of God, trying to make God respond to the extortion of your husband, and that would be wrong.

Just be a good and faithful follower of Christ and the best wife you know how to be and let the Spirit do the Spirit's work. :)

[JPPT1974]

God doesn't bribe people to love him, so I would say, no don't order the heads.

God will take to him in a different way. But He's not so desperate that He will respond to extortion or threats. If you buy him the heads, you are acting in the role of God, trying to make God respond to the extortion of your husband, and that would be wrong.

Just be a good and faithful follower of Christ and the best wife you know how to be and let the Spirit do the Spirit's work. :)

God never does bribe anybody and that He never does them wrong. Don't order the heads because that would be contradictory to what He's saying. Be a good & faithful because God wawnts you to be. If you extort, then that is Satan and not the Lord knocking on the door to your heart.

[Flynmonkie]

1. Is it wrong to be placing bets when God is at stake?

2. Do you think that bribing someone to go to church is ok?

God Bless!
newbeliever :)

1. Sounds like the Good Lord is working in your favor (if you can afford these) :thumbsup:
2. Absolutely! :prayer: :doh: (in the right spirit)

Your husband knows this promise is serious to you, even though he jokes (you think?)

Once you do this, it is an enormous responsibility. Mark my words! Keep it playful - but only hand them to him if he promises...make it fun- but serious.

After 6 months of your prayers - his church going...

Man you have it so much easier than I did!

My husband just joined the board and is posting here and there. However, it took 9 months of prayer and he will tell you, he walked up to me one day and said - how would you like to go to "so and so" city in the morning. I asked for what - he said church and I about fell over. I was on pins and needles for a long time afraid I might do something that would send him packing again. But actually, God taught me that there is nothing more I need to do but set and example throughout the whole thing. 5 months later of attending church he became saved, completely different person!

Make sure he is comfortable... if he is not - let him choose the church too.

[newbeliever02072005]

Thank you ALL for your responses. I really do appreciate it.

Well, this is what has happened. I called off the deal (or bet). When I sat back and really looked at the situation, I wasn't comfortable dealing with my husbands life like that. It all was in good fun, but it could have ended in a direction that I wouldn't want. Him being totally turned off from hearing the Word of God. Forcing someone to go to church is wrong. I truly want him to come up to me and say I am ready to go with you. Then and only then will the convictions be felt by him. I am putting my faith in the Lord that my husbands heart will be convicted and his eyes opened. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. I am trusting the Lord!!!!

Ok, thank you again for your help!

God Bless!
newbeliever :)

[JPPT1974]

You can't shove religion down your husband's throat. As that will only offend him and withdrawl from God even more. All you need to do is pray and ask the Lord to heal his heart and let him be more receptive of the Lord and the Word. And most of all, He will take care of it from there.

[Flynmonkie]

Thank you ALL for your responses. I really do appreciate it.

Well, this is what has happened. I called off the deal (or bet).
Ok, thank you again for your help!

God Bless!
newbeliever :)

Trusting in God is ALWAYS a safe bet! :thumbsup:

But I did want to add something here. Most people (myself included) are /were afraid of church because of misconception. Sometimes as Christians we become more vulnerable "at church" believing that others would understand us - or would remember to act like Christians. And sometimes (we) they do not. And someone gets hurt or confused, and looses trust in the very thing or place that is supposed to uplift.

Or another reason I believe people steer clear of church is the seriousness of it all. Many people think Christians are supposed to live in some perfection or something. Christianity is supposed to be enjoyable and fun! The Bible tells us this over and over! So I guess what I am trying to say is - don't make a situation too serious, when it does not need to be. Adding pressure in any fashion -will backfire. But the route you are taking is exactly what I did. And I tell you our relationship was headed south. I spent many a night and day and any time you can imagine praying, just talking to God. Asking how he wants to use me in the situation. And finally a little over a year later my prayers were answered! -With milestones along the way. (I believe for reassurance to me that He is still working in our life’s!)As I said before - it took 8 months of continual prayer before a miracle happened (I call it a miracle!)

But I do not believe that this would have been wrong as a blanket statement - however I believe you feel it is wrong for you. And if you do - you have made the right decision.

You are not conning your husband into going into church. He knows exactly what that entails! He is a grown man! But I thought it a great "fun" opener to getting him there - it took only one sermon for my husband to fall on his knees in tears. (‘Corse there is no question in my mind God knew exactly what that sermon would be about)

So the main thing is keeping your communication with God. He will let you know the right way to handle this.

JPP has a great signature Remember ALWAYS – You can do all things through God whom strengthens you!
Another thing-
Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will.

You are all in my prayers! :prayer: