Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Y ~ Yield

Of the basic things that makes an Amish church work, is the importance of knowing how to yield to those in authority and each other.
  • Yielding to the ministry with unquestioning obedience. In a world that questions everything and wants to know reasons behind things, the Amish for the most part are free of that, accepting and yielding is the only acceptable response to the rules and regulations of the church.
  • Yielding to the school board.  Next to the ministry they had the most power in the community.
  • Yielding to your neighbor. Always being more concerned about his rights than your own.
  • The worst yielding, and one that thankfully I never had to personally experience, was yielding to a team of men that would control every single penny you earned. This was reserved for those that had poor financial management. Filing bankruptcy is not an option, instead this team will step in and manage your money for you until you're debt free, they'll tell you what to work, how, when, and where. They'll give you a tiny grocery allowance to buy just the most basic of basic essentials. Anything you could possibly live without you will have to live without. Not fun for those involved, but this system did work.

12 comments:

  1. People could really abuse this power in the church. I wasnt amish but I have experienced some of this. How very awful. To put them up in the place of God.
    Anyhow, I have really enjoyed your series!
    Blessings,
    Christina

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    1. It does seem as if this power goes to some of their heads. It's a big reason why there is so much moving and so many new communities springing up.

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  2. Ooohhh my goodness !! Another BIG WOW !! Sooo much power given over to man !! Could be soo catastrophic !! After all, this is America ..... Aren't we truly blessed to know that our Lord and Savior holds the ruling of all...to HIM alone may we uplift and let rule all.
    This has been so fun reading, as, I keep telling you. Sooo much information, and a lot I was truly not even aware of !!
    Blessings to you my sweet friend ....... What am I going to look forward to after Z ?!?! :O:O
    Love to you xo

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    1. I'm thinking of a continuation of this theme. I had a lot of suggestions and ideas for the letters and as you know, I only used one of each so I'll go back over my lists and pick more topics.

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    2. Oooohhhh YAY !!! This is too fun xo

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  3. I've known a few people who could use that last "intervention" but it probably should be voluntary! This has been so fascinating!

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    1. I would hate to have to experience that intervention, but it is proven to work well.

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  4. If one could swallow one's pride, grit one's teeth and do what one is told, I can see how it could benefit a person. But goodness what a hard lesson. On the good side, I bet ppl never went thru it twice.

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    1. It could take years before the debt is totally paid off and with that entire time with no access to your money the lesson tends to stick. I have never heard of someone that needs this type of help for the second time.

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  5. Ooh that last one. There are many who could benefit and I'm thinking that people wouldn't want to go through that twice and would become better at managing. We've, (Hubby and I), financial management classes at our church and it amazes my the mess people get themselves into. A product of our culture, I guess. If you want it you should have it whether you can afford it or not.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. As unpleasant as it may be, I'm sure there are a lot of people that could benefit from a program like this.

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  6. I have so enjoyed this series. I hope you will start over again with A and continue!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.