Questions and Answers

Q: Reading the publication How to Understand the Bible, I would like to know if the King James Version is the best version I can refer to. If not, which one is? I am a bit disturbed by misinterpretations or missing words and quotes in some translations.
—L.T., Nigeria

In our publications we quote primarily from the New King James Version (NKJV) because of its overall accuracy and the fact that the wording used in this modern translation is up to date and easy to understand. The NKJV also remains faithful to the spirit of the original King James Version (also known as the Authorized Version) of 1611, a translation of unquestionable historic value that is still very popular and profitably read by millions to this day.

Other useful translations in modern English include the New International Version, the New Revised Standard Version, the Revised English Bible and the New American Standard Bible. But no translation is 100 percent correct. The "missing words" you refer to can occur in most any version. If feasible, it is very helpful to have more than one translation on hand to double-check any confusing passages.

You can find more helpful information in our reprint article Which Bible Translation Should I Use? We also invite our readers to request or download the free booklet the questioner mentioned, How to Understand the Bible. Information helpful for choosing a proper Bible translation appears on pages 12 through 14 of that publication.

Q: Is it true that one does not help the homeless, the destitute and the poor by giving them something? They are helped by giving them a job with remuneration. Right?
—C.N., Yucca Valley, California

A: The Bible contains many observations about the poor plus positive instructions on how they can best be helped. When ancient Israel came out of Egypt, God warned His people not to oppress the poor or take advantage of them (see Deuteronomy 15:1-15). And, remarkably, the Creator even instituted a periodic year of release in which debtors were forgiven their debts. All creditors were to have an attitude of concern for the poor (verse 9).

Nonetheless, God knows the realities of human nature. He understands our weaknesses and problems. He knew that "the poor will never cease from the land" (verse 11). Some simply would choose not to work, or would be unable to, or wouldn't or couldn't effectively manage their financial affairs. In any case, even our modern affluent societies still have large numbers of poor people. In spite of massive transfers of money over several decades, government programs and concerned citizens have not really stemmed the tide of poverty. Money alone does not solve the problem.

God's instruction to ancient Israel required them to care for the poor by various means, both national and personal. For example, farmers were told to leave the corners of their fields unharvested and not to glean all the grapes so that the poor could gather food for themselves through this source of sustenance (Deuteronomy 24:19-21). The principle applies even today. And at least to some small degree, our current welfare programs are loosely based on these ancient biblical laws.

Yet many today still fall through the cracks and need personal assistance. God requires a generous spirit that responds to genuine needs as we discern them, but which also guards against being duped by hucksters.

Two New Testament scriptures in particular speak to this issue. The apostle Paul wrote, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But he was not referring to those who were seriously disabled or could not work through no fault of their own. And we have long had unemployment problems, even in the prosperous West.

Paul also wrote: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).

So while your proposition is certainly correct, that it is better to give someone in need a paying job, the imperfections of our present society render this option as only a partial solution. In this present age of man, there will always be those who are genuinely prevented from working or otherwise unable to help themselves. To those we must open our hands generously as we are able.

Finally, God included help for the poor in His basic monetary laws. To understand this in detail, please request our free booklet What Does the Bible Teach About Tithing?

Q: I am altogether disillusioned with human nature and the structure of human society. What should I do?
—D.O., Cardiff, South Wales

A: One of the chief defenders of the Christian faith, the apostle Paul, expressed a similar view of human nature and this world's systems and power structures. He viewed them as characterizing "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). Jesus Christ, interceding for His apostles in His prayer to God the Father on the eve before His death, specifically stated: "I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given Me, for they are yours" (John 17:9, New International Version).

A little later in the same prayer Christ said: "... They are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one (Satan the devil)" (verses 14-15, NIV, emphasis added).

Christ's message is clear. True discipleship has little in common with society's structures, which are based on the vagaries of human nature influenced by an unseen evil spirit, Satan (to learn more, please request our free booklet Is There Really a Devil?).

The biblical message to Christ's true followers is to "come out of her My people, lest you share in her sins" (Revelation 18:4; compare 1 John 2:15-17). But where does a person wishing to seek the Creator go from here?

Our responsibility is to ask God for help in changing our lives to meet the standards of the Kingdom of God. Acts 2:37-39 sums up the actions that we must take: real repentance and water baptism followed by the receiving of God's Holy Spirit.

Our free booklets Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion and The Church Jesus Built explain this whole spiritual process in detail and reveal the role of God's Church in it. Jesus Christ said He would build His Church and that it would endure throughout this age of man (Matthew 16:18). Searching for and becoming an active part of that Church becomes the task of men and women whom God is calling into the knowledge of the truth.

 

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