Homer wrote:Doesn't seem possible God can be served by my having a cat.
Perhaps you are taking care of God's cat? My family has a cat...and I think I am the one who mostly
feeds it, but if I was single I would have no animals. We also have chickens, a hamster (my 13 yr old),
and a horse. God created all these creatures so I am not certain we could say that God is neutral on
how we feed and provide for them when we are able. Are there priorities over these? Yes. But
prioritizing humans over animals still doesn't seem like God wants us to neglect the feeding of
animals He has allowed us to care for. I'm not certain God is neutral on the feeding of animals,
so I'm not certain God can't be served in some way (say you feed your neighbor's cat and it opened
a door to share Christ? or hired the neighbor girl to feed yours?) by interacting with animals that
God has placed in our care.
If we were in full-time ministry, I would ask my wife not to have animals....perhaps that is
one reason why we are not currently in full-time ministry....I don't see her giving up horses
any time soon (unfortunately). Perhaps the Lord has a ministry that my wife could be apart
of that rescues horses and pairs them with children who are in need or abused (like the "Hope
Rising" book). I don't know for certain, but I do think that would be a dream job for her.
I would say to you, however, if you don't think God can be served by having a cat, then why
do you have one? Maybe it is time to let the little cat go so you can do all things to the glory
of God? Take the money and feed a hungry child here or over seas. I don't think God is
neutral on that. Our time and resources belong to the Lord...if I were not married with
children, I would live my life quite differently with respect to these things.