LUCRE, LOVE OF MONEY, AND WEALTH WOES

(KJV and NKJV Scripture)

– For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers; especially they of the circumcision.  Whose mouths must be stopped – who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre’s sake. – Titus 1:10-11

– For the love of money is the root of all evil.  Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. – 1 Timothy 6:10

Money taints and money talks – and it can rapidly turn any house of God into a den of robbers.  Money corrupts, causing people to behave dishonestly and fraudulently against others and God.  Obtained in such a sordid manner, money is known as lucre, and arouses moral distaste in the mouths of others.

Lucre soils the soul with lust and spoils godly love (1 Peter 1:22).  Following its filth keeps any Christian far from heaven (Mark 7:6), despite feigned words often smooth as butter to the contrary of following Jesus (Psalm 55:21).  Unbelievers can stay far from the Word if they see believers “in it” for worldly gain.

However, people following the path of dishonest profit and lucre is nothing new to God (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10). It can exist as much in the church as outside of it.  In Jeremiah’s days, Judah was so saturated with idolatry and immorality, they could not see they had made God’s house into a den of robbers (Jeremiah 7:11).

We see similar money scenes in the New Testament. Simon the sorcerer thought the gift of the Holy Ghost could be bought with money.  Although he had been baptized with water, Peter told Simon his heart wasn’t right with God (Acts 8:13-21).  The Spirit couldn’t be received, as he was still in iniquity’s bond (Acts 8:23).

Jesus was recorded as being angry just once – when He went into God’s temple and cast out those who bought and sold within (Luke 19:45).  Overthrowing the tables of the money changers, and upsetting the seats of dove sellers (Mark 11:15).  No one must ever have to buy something and pay a price to hear Christ.

These people had turned God’s house of prayer into a house of profit – a deceitful den of greedy thieves (Matthew 21:13).  A pack of grievous wolves Paul warns us about, who speak perverse things to draw disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30).  Altering and distorting God’s gospel for dollars (Galatians 1:6-7).

And, Titus warns us of whole houses being subverted, with preachers teaching things they should not for filthy lucre’s sake (lead verse).  They are greedy dogs who can never have enough; nor understand (Isaiah 56:11).  Scratching itching ears with unsound words; but sure sounding good (2 Timothy 4:3, Titus 2:1).

Getting those in the pews to turn away from truth – and to fables (2 Timothy 4:4).  This is when people get tired about hearing the plain gospel of Christ, the one preaching against worldly gain (Matthew 6:19-20).  Dull of listening to such (Hebrews 5:11), and weary of being unprofitable servants (Luke 17:7-10).

We are to buy the truth placed inside us a Christians, and not sell it.  Nor, are we to market and charge for any godly wisdom, understanding, or instruction we have acquired (Proverbs 23:23).  Paul would work occasionally as a tent maker so he could come to people and preach without gainsaying (Acts 10:29).

Again, goals of earthly gain is not new to God.  There were those back in Old Testament days who couldn’t see any worldly profit by following His ways; including Job.  Job had said “What profit shall I have, if I am cleansed from my sins (Job 35:1-3)?”  Some men in Malachi’s times had similar minds (Malachi 3:14).

God will give us a mouth and wisdom to where our adversaries will be unable to gainsay from – or resist what we speak (Luke 21:15).  However, gainsayers want others to turn from attending to truths of the Word.  Leading greedy souls astray with deceptive words of how to get profit from it (Matthew 24:4).

This has led to ungodly pursuits like the creation of Christian investment programs.  Where participants pool their money and put it into such, so they can all be of one purse when they get a profitable return. Exacting more than God has appointed; and filling their homes with spoil (Luke 3:13, Proverbs 1:13-14).

Greed is an intense and selfish desire for gain.  It has also fueled the explosive growth of merchandising His Word.  It’s turned the church into one giant mall of countless products for Christians to purchase.  This is deceiving masses into believing spiritual growth can occur by spending money on such – over and over.

The damnation of all those who market Christian merchandise for even a penny – does not slumber (2 Peter 2:3).  Those who preach for profit are running greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.  They’re heading for woe – and shall perish in the gainsaying of Core if not repented of (Jude 1:11, Luke 13:3).

All for a love of money and lucre.  All because their god is their belly, and their belief is based on bank account balances.  Bolstered when there is more – bottoming out when there is less.  Minding earthly matters like money and materialism, but whose end is always destruction (Philippians 3:19).

Given everything written so far, keep in mind money by itself is neutral.  If left out of mortal hands, it is harmless.  However, when one has just a little bit of money, it can start wreaking havoc in any home – any life.  Challenging and questioning one’s motives for doing anything, even within a church or ministry.

Even if money is gained honorably from God through humble obedience (e.g. Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38), it can put people at odds with Him.  Creating more problems than providing any lasting sense of inner peace.  They are never fully satisfied with having riches once dreamed of in the past (Proverbs 27:20).

At one time, Solomon was richer and wiser than any king on earth (1 Kings 10:23).  He had obtained this fortune through unselfish means (2 Chronicles 1:11-12).  Because of this, there was a later time where Solomon withheld no joy from his heart.  He could have whatever he set his eyes on (Ecclesiastes 2:10).

It was not enough.  Solomon foolishly began doing evil in God’s sight.  His father David had fully gone after the Lord – Solomon did not in disobedience (1 Kings 11:6, Acts 13:22, Mark 12:30).  It caused God to stir up an adversary for Israel and Solomon the rest of his days as king (1 Kings 11:14-25).

Wealth can make people many friends.  However, it can make them wonder who their real ones are, and who would disappear when the money does (Proverbs 19:4).  In a similar vein, wealth can cause people to live in constant worry of having worst fears realized. Losing all their riches, regardless of reason or season.

This happened to another man of God in Scripture – Job (Job 3:25).  Worldly prosperity will always drive a wedge between even how the most upright believers (Job 1:8) talk of following God, and how they actually walk.  Spirits must never waver or wander – spiking or dipping based on having favorable finances or not.

Earthly riches are hedges for honoring God.  It is easy to raise hands to heaven and praise His name when one has the money they want.  However, it is a hedge Satan is always ready to cut down.  All he needs is a green light from God as with Job.  Job lost everything short of his life and wife in one day (Job 1:2-3, 9-19)

Jesus warned that our lives do not consist in the abundance of things we possess (Luke 12:15).  We brought nothing into this world – and it is certain we can carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7).  What does it profit if we gain the whole world and lose our soul in the end?  One penny can’t save us (Matthew 16:26).

As Christians, we serve the Messiah or Mammon (Luke 16:13).  We cannot do both (1 Corinthians 10:21).  Mammon is wealth considered as an evil influence, or a false object of worship and devotion. Pursuing it debases and demeans God.  It shows Him where faith is really focused (Colossians 3:2).

Those who will be rich in this life fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts; drowning them in the worldly waters of destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:9).  Those who are rich are charged not to be high-minded.  They are not to trust in uncertain riches, but God (1 Timothy 6:17).

Regardless, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25).  Riches do not profit in the day of our death, but righteousness will deliver us from it (Proverbs 11:4).  The former will cause falling, the latter flourishing (Proverbs 11:28).

Jesus Christ is the only foundation we can lay and build upon as believers.  God warns us to take heed how we build on it (1 Corinthians 3:10-11).  Chasing after greenbacks or greed is building upon a flimsy foundation of Mammon, and another man’s – but not the Son of Man’s (Luke 6:48-49, Romans 15:20).

We are to follow spiritual riches and desire such gifts from our Father.  These are the peaceable fruits He commands us to produce until death (Galatians 5:22-23, Acts 17:30, John 15:16). – meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8).  It is so our faith grows exceedingly, as does our love towards all (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

If we earnestly covet these best gifts, God will show us a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:4-31).  If we desire something, then we do all we can to get it. Spiritual gifts cannot come from spending or seeking money, but by spending alone time with God and His Word – away from the steady noise of the world.

We do this through private prayer (Matthew 6:6), studying the Bible to be approved to Him (2 Timothy 2:15), and by being doers of the Word – not just hearers (James 1:22).  This is the godly exercise required to gain contentment in life.  This is how we gain the profit and promise of heaven (1 Timothy 6:6)

Broad is the road to destruction (Matthew 7:13).  God warns us not to err from our walk on the straight and narrow (James 1:16, Matthew 7:14).  Satan is always waiting to lead us away to a faith shipwreck (2 Peter 3:17, 1 Timothy 1:19).  Instead of the Almighty – following the almighty dollar is a sure-fire way to err.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read Full Post »

GAINSAYING

(NKJV and KJV Scripture)

– All day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. – Romans 10:21

– The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want. – Psalm 23:1

All of use are to give thanks always, for all things unto God (Ephesians 5:20).  Not just for all the things we always want to have in this world – at any given point in time.  Any desire to gain goods – and the good of this world; and then receiving such – is not a reason to say we love the Lord – because He has answered our prayers accordingly in this regard. This creates a very conditional Christian.  It leads to disobedience.

Where our contentment and faith is founded on how much we can get from Him – and how many blessings He can bestow on us because we call ourselves believers.  How difficult will this make it for us to give as purposed in our hearts – from such things as we already have.  With cheer – not grudgingly, or out of any necessity for ourselves in return (2 Corinthians 8:11-14, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Hebrews 13:5)

Only by pride comes contention (Proverbs 13:10).  If we’re not content with our wages, or trying to exact more than what God has already appointed us – won’t we become contentious; desiring gain  – and becoming ungodly in the process (Luke 3:13-14, 1 Timothy 6:6)?  This can create a very bumpy walk with God; like we’re on a roller-coaster ride – where we’re never content in our current state (Philippians 4:11).

Our souls soar high when our eyes are satisfied with worldly things (Proverbs 27:20) – then sink when we suffer loss; especially people we don’t want to leave yet.  This world whizzes by daily with all its wants and temptations – and it can make us dizzy with desire.  If we long for such things – and base our love of the Lord on getting them, how can we count it all as loss in order to gain Him (Philippians 3:7-8)?

Read Full Post »

IF IT ALL FELL TO PIECES

(Scripture from the NKJV and KJV)

– For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me – and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. – Job 3:25

– “If it all fell to pieces tomorrow, would you still be mine?” –  (“Take it to the Limit” by the Eagles, copyright 1975, written by Randy Meisner, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey)

Life must have seemed pretty good for Job.  He had a large family, lots of friends, and plenty of livestock (Job 1:1-6).  People came from all around to hear his counsel (Job 29:21-22).  Yet Job had this nagging anxiety in the back of his mind – in the bottom of his heart – about having it all fall to pieces.  And, it did in one day – his worst fears were realized (Job 1:13-19).

Satan surmised Job’s faith and trust in our heavenly Father were only because he trusted in earthly riches and favor.  It was a hedge (Job 1:10).  The devil declared to the Lord that if this hedge were cut to shreds, Job would curse God to His face. Permission was granted from above to test Job below.  Satan was allowed to take almost everything away (Job 1:13-19).  It all fell to pieces – but Job did not sin because of it, nor did he charge God foolishly (Job 1:22).

However, the devil wasn’t done.  He believed Job would give everything he had for his own life – so God permitted Satan to step up his attack and smite Job with sores from his head to his feet (Job 2:4-7).  Once again, Job retained his integrity.  He would not curse God – even though his wife wanted him to.  Despite his worst fears coming to fruition, he told her, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God – and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:9-10, Isaiah 45:7).

Job did not faint in his day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10).  Although he did not understand at first why all these bad things had befallen him – Job’s faith did not falter, and his focus on God remained firm.  He did not become unwise in questioning God as to why his former days of favor and blessings were not like the time he was going through now (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

When we have many riches like Job did – we must not set our hearts upon them – for they make themselves wings (Psalm 62:10, Proverbs 23:5).  We are to be joyful in any day of prosperity we may encounter.  However, in our days of adversity – we are to consider that God has set one over the others – to the end that man should find nothing after himself (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

God has promised to supply all our we need according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  Not what we “think” we need – but what He already knows we require long before we do (Matthew 6:8).  If whatever prosperity any of us has right now were to fall to pieces at any time – as we perceive by worldly standards – we would still be God’s.  However, would we still believe in Him?  Or would we sin with our lips – charging and cursing our Father foolishly?

Read Full Post »

STUFF

(Scripture from the NKJV and KJV)

– Also, regard not your stuff. A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. – Genesis 45:20 and Luke 12:15

– “That’s all your home is – a place to keep your stuff; while you go out and get … more stuff. Sometimes, you gotta move into a bigger house. Why? Too much stuff.” – George Carlin

We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7). However, in between the cradle and grave – all it can seem like we do for much of our time on earth is buying, carrying around, and taking care of – stuff. Stuff is defined as material or matter of an indeterminate or irrelevant nature – and yet so many of us often let our stuff determine our relevance and nature in life by it. Sometimes, the amount and quality of our stuff determines our status in our own minds – and in the eyes of others. However, nothing is ever new to God (Ecclesiastes 1:9, Ecclesiastes 3:15). People’s stuff has been around since Biblical times.

The second reference to stuff in the King James Version was when God told Abraham and his people not to regard it – for the good of all the land of Egypt was already theirs (Genesis 45:18-20). They didn’t need their stuff to get it from God. The last mention of stuff in the Bible is a stern warning from our Father in heaven about our stuff: But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom – it rained fire and brimstone from heaven – and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day when he shall be upon the housetops – and his stuff in the house – let him not come down to take it away (Luke 17:29-31).

Almost all of us have stuff – some more than others. Many times we can even feel stuck with our stuff. We know we probably have too much – and would probably like to get rid of some – but we try to find ways that ensure we don’t take too much of a loss on the initial investment spent on our stuff. We even spend money to protect our stuff while we try to decide what we might want to do with it later on. Entire businesses are based on insuring our stuff. So we stack it, stash it, and save it. Entire industries are built on storing our stuff. Entire cable TV shows such as Storage Wars, Hoarders, and American Pickers are centered around the many aspects of stuff.

As Christians, our stuff distracts us from fully serving the Lord. Even when we are stirred together to do work for our churches – we can have too much stuff to do it. In the book of Exodus, all of the wise men in the sanctuary told Moses that the men and women of the congregation were bringing in much more than needed for the service of the work the Lord had commanded them to make. So Moses gave orders and caused them to be proclaimed throughout the camp of his people – restraining them from bringing in any more material. For the stuff they had was sufficient enough for all the work to make it – and it was already too much (Exodus 36:4-7).

Because it’s fleshly and worldly – stuff can easily stagnate our spiritual growth as Christians. Striving for more can give birth to hoarding. It can become a form of mental illness. However, some people store up stuff in hopes it will be a hedge of protection for them in the future if things get financially tough – for they can just start selling off some of their stuff. God warns us all about storing up earthly riches to our own hurt (Ecclesiastes 5:13-14). There are even people right now trying to amass provisions – and building shelters for them – as protection against the end times. Their damnation is already certain (James 5:3).

Perhaps the best Biblical story to sum this all up is the parable Jesus told the disciples about the rich fool. This man’s grounds had brought forth a plentiful harvest. He thought to himself saying, “What shall I do – because I have no more room to bestow all my fruits?” And he said, “This will I do – I will pull down my barns and build even greater ones – and there I will bestow all my fruits and goods. And I will tell my soul – soul, you have many goods laid up for many years – take your ease and eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool, this night your soul will be required of you – and then where shall these things be which you have provided?” (Luke 12:18-20).

The man’s barns were brimming to the beams – be he was only rich towards himself with all his stuff. It was not going to bring his soul back or buy him any more time on earth. It’s the same for all of us as well – we are either rich towards God with all our stuff – or to ourselves (Ecclesiastes 5:9, Luke 12:21, 1 Corinthians 10:24-26, 2 Corinthians 8:12-14). Our Father only requires a continually obedient, repentant, and willing heart to serve Him – not our stuff. One day our souls will be required of us. Will God find us to have been fools with all our worldly possessions? For all of it stays behind when we go – and it won’t be able to save us on that day (Matthew 16:26).

Read Full Post »