Immorality in Ministry

Marriage is between a man and a woman, no state sanctioning is needed and no ceremony is needed.

 

Many states do recognize common law marriage. You cohabit, hold yourself out as married, and you are. You cannot just break up, but must divorce to end the union. No ceremony needed.

 

That is what seems to come up most often in those cases where it would be a real consideration. Is ok to marry someone who is avoiding state contact with marriage because they are evading income taxes? What about evading the law for a crime in another state? (Both real examples)

I have only performed one wedding of this type and I was pleased to do it. In other cases we must have a high regard for our conciense according to the high standards set forth in God's Word alone.

 

Jesus says that she has had five husbands, meaning that she had become one flesh with all five men. Since she had not committed to the new husband she had not "married" him. Marriage is an oath two people make to each other before God. This is all that is needed.

 

You can call it Common law but I just call it biblical marriage. A good friend of mine got married by his father in law. The marriage was small, 30-40 people. My friend and his wife to be came up with their own vows and they were married. No license, no ordained preacher. So tell me, are they married? And which of the elements mentioned is needed to make marriage "real". When you cut out the fat, you are left with a man and a woman making a vow before God to each other. That is it.

 

I may have missed it in the thread, but why can't they get married? Is it for financial reasons? If the church performs an under the table marriage to defraud the government or insuance company of money, wouldn't that be theft? I just don't understand how this is even a consideration.

I understand the compassion for the woman, but is it true compassion to allow her to live sinfully and still partake in ministry. Is that compassionate for the young couple who watch and say, 'we can just shack up, the church says it's OK'.

Sounds like you got the correct idea in confronting her. Let us know how it turns out and I will keep both her and your church in prayer.

 

So, along with living with her "boyfriend", she is also defrauding her benifit provider?

 

I do not mention the above to condem the women any further, but just to bring it into awareness. I live in a culture where this is a common occuance among young, middle aged, and old. People recieve government assistance while living with men or women who work jobs everyday. It's decietful, illegal, and immoral.

</rant>

 

Common law marriage is still marriage and therefore affects her benefits.

 

But wouldnt avoiding a state (legal) marriage because of monetary gain be dishonest? And in fact be stealing from the pension fund? And a lie to boot?

AJ

 

I'm sure the pension fund does not recognize godly marriage. All they are concerned with is legal marriage.

If this church is so concerned about this woman maybe they should offer to pay her bills, it's so easy to stand back and judge.

 

You would be hard pressed to find this distinction in teh Bible. The Bible says we are to live by the laws of the state. If they say a license is necessary, then they are not married without one. Don't bring shame on the church by playing a sham game with marriage.

I don't think the problem is paying her bills. She can pay her bills. She is living in sin, according to what is being said here.

 

That's just it; you DON'T need one, even according to the state. Which by the way, has no business performing these services on Gods behalf. When the state offers a salvation license will you also obey? Let’s face it, there are many things we as Christians must do with or without state approval. (spanking our children comes to mind)

Well I guess it’s a good thing for her that Gods opinion is the only one that counts.