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Christianity / Morality and Ethics

Is it Really Worth it?

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I wanted to write a short blog post about fighting battles. When life presents you with a circumstance where you feel you are being treated unfairly, is it wise to put up a fight, or is it better to absorb the frustration, let go, and move on?

Let’s look at one area in particular: money. Money causes friction and is the battleground of capitalist culture; just look at the way lawyers, solicitors, estate agents, and bankers operate. We live in a world where people are constantly trying to acquire wealth, and are willing to take a bite out of each other in order to get the financial ‘security’ they crave.

If you’ve ever watched The Apprentice – well, that’s what I’m talking about.

I’ve noticed that there’s a direct correlation between how rooted I am in my faith in God, and how I respond to situations where I feel someone is trying to take advantage of me. When I’m rooted in the teaching of Scripture, the need to ‘fight back’ evaporates, because my mind is centred on the One who is able to meet all my needs in ways I can’t even imagine.

There is one scripture in particular that speaks volumes on this subject, and it can be found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:

“To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1 Corinthians 6:7 ESV)

To most people in capitalist societies this teaching is totally counter-intuitive. Our instinct is to put up a fight. But I believe fighting always shows a lack of faith in our Creator, who we must trust to fight our battles in the spiritual dimension, and who will judge those who have treated us unfairly.

19 comments

  3. Excellent topic, presented very well, Steven.

    Our mother is in a Care Home as a self-funder due to her having savings above the £23,500 threshold. My sister and I have to decide what to do with a £3,000 fee for ‘setting up’ her care package. This was not advised to us prior to our acceptance for her to have a room at her present Care Home and they require the monthly fee of about £4,700 in advance. No ‘setting up’ fee was demanded from her previous Care Home and they charged her in arrears!

    What should we do as Christians, please? Should we challenge it and if so for how long and how hard to extend the monies in her estate? Are we feeding the greed of her present Care Home by acquiescing or are we thinking of our inheritance when she passes if we challenge them?

    Peace and love to all,

    Dinos

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  4. Steven, excellent and insightful post. Your statement, “When I’m rooted in the teaching of Scripture, the need to ‘fight back’ evaporates, because my mind is centred on the One who is able to meet all my needs in ways I can’t even imagine” is at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with Christ. I’ll be praying for you in your struggles, and am asking the Lord to saturate you with His peace (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7).

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  6. This is something that comes down to trusting God for the outcome, which I find hard. There’s a gulf between my professed faith and the reality. The gap or chasm between head and heart is huge! Yet there is a seeming conflict as we are commanded to fight for the oppressed and against injustice (e.g. Christian Concern). Practically though, I am learning to really trust that He has it all in hand abd that I really don’t need to worry which just makes me ill. I could write lots more but work calls! Proverbs 3:4-5 always comes back to me at such times.

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    1. Thank you for your honest thoughts, Anthony.

      The ‘reality’ is often referred to as ‘the way of the world’. I SUSPECT that it’s not our choice to exclude God nor our choice to do something wrong but that Satan and his angels know how to entice us away from God and our earthly existence is governed by Satanic forces.

      Who can say to the government of the country they’re living in, “I am withholding say 10% of the tax I’m required by law to give you because you used it to wage war on the people in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria? I shall instead pay this money directly to Oxfam, Children in Need, UNICEF, Refugee Crises funds or whatever other just cause of my choice.” Wouldn’t this be closer to the concept of Free Will than several other examples? Which spiritually-filled Christian would not do this if the government of the country they were living in allowed them to? Who wants their country to break the sixth commandment from God, “Thou shalt not kill”?

      I liked your choice of scripture too, Proverbs 3:4-5 (KJV):

      4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

      5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

      Peace and love to all humanity,

      Dinos

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  7. Great post, so true. “Fighting” and “money” are probably the biggest cause of downfalls in ministries and personal life. “Fighting always shows a lack of faith in our Creator…”foundational words, thanks. May the Lord continue to bless and encourage you! 🍁

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  8. While the context of that statement from 1 Corinthians has to do with how believers treat each other, the Sermon on the Mount passages really call for the wider application you’ve made here. Good point. It’s hard to do in the moment, but as you said, the more grounded in your relationship with your Savior, the easier to respond in the moment. Good word! Thank you!

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    1. Hi Matt! Thank you for making that important point. As usual, I’m blessed by your knowledge of Scripture. And I agree, it’s really tough to display the kind of humility that Paul and Jesus speak of in real life situations. I think I need God’s help to develop my character in that respect. Blessings to you, bro!

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  10. This is so true, I don’t think I’d realized that Scripture said something about this. It’s not that we’re being doormats, it’s that we’re being strong enough in Christ to not let little things bother us. Thank you for this insightful article!

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