"Love GOD, above all else."
Brethren,
Are you among those who LOVE money? Or do you prefer to LOVE JESUS, and comply with GOD'S command, to LOVE GOD above all else, and our fellow man as ourselves? I ask this, because that’s a question many Christians need to ask themselves." For many have abundant material possessions and wealth, but prefer to depend on their money, rather than The WORD Of The LIVING GOD - JESUS CHRIST.
While having money and possessions is not condemned in SCRIPTURE, GOD does have this to say on the matter. In Mathew 19:24 HE says: And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter The KINGDOM Of GOD.
And in Luke 6:24, The LORD gives this firm admonition, saying:
"But woe to you who are rich, For you have recieved your consolation.
[Then HE adds]: Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.
[And if that wasn't enough. In 1st Timothy 6:6-10 The WORD Of The LIVING GOD, has this to say: Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts that drown men in destruction and perdition. For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the FAITH in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
[And then, HE adds this admonition, saying] : But you O man of GOD, flee these things and pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE, GENTLENESS.
Fight the good fight of FAITH, lay hold on Eternal LIFE, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I urge you in the sight of GOD Who gives LIFE to all things, and before CHRIST JESUS Who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our LORD JESUS CHRIST'S appearing.
[Brethren,
I understand that having money is not a problem, as long as money, doesn't have us, and becomes our primary concern." In other words, as long as we don't Trust in riches, above Trusting in The WORD Of The LIVING GOD - JESUS CHRIST."
For as long as one's priorities are in order and the needs of others are addressed, those who possess relative wealth, must remind themselves, that JESUS, not riches, is our sustainer."
But to those who prefer riches, before "The WORD" Of The LIVING GOD; The LORD gives this example of a wealthy man who approached HIM, and asked this question found in Luke 18:18, saying: Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit Eternal LIFE?"
JESUS said to him, "Why do you call ME Good? No one is good but One, that is, GOD. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, ' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'
And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." So when JESUS heard these things, HE said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have Treasure in HEAVEN; and come, follow ME."
But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich."
[Brethren,
not only was this man very wealthy, but he LOVED his money, above GOD, and his fellow man."
With that said; consider what Proverbs 28:27 teaches: He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
[Now let me ask you this; 'Do you really Trust The WORD of GOD?"
If so, "consider this admonition that HE HIMSELF gives us, in Mathew 6:30-33." It reads like this: Now if GOD so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will HE not much more clothe you, O you of little FAITH?
"Therefore do not worry, saying, what shall we eat?" Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear?"
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your HEAVENLY FATHER knows that you need all these things.
But seek first The KINGDOM Of GOD and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things shall be added to you.
["Yes, added to us, because The LORD provides for us, who Trust in HIM.
And if anyone thinks it better to trust in riches; in the book of Acts 3:6, the apostle Peter helps us with this, in the story of the lame man begging at the temple gate in JERUSALEM. This man asked Peter for money, but Peter replied, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In The NAME Of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, rise up and walk”.
[The man lying at the Temple gate thought the answer to his problems was money, but Peter showed him that the answer to everything he needed, "is JESUS." And will forever be, "JESUS!"
Yes Beloved, our LORD will forever be, everything we need." All we need, Beloved, is to Trust The WORD of The LIVING GOD - JESUS CHRIST. And to do according to HIS WORD and commandments!"
For a group of Christians who have much to teach about CHRIST, as they seek to spread The GOSPEL; say this, “We can’t afford any big programs or fancy GOSPEL presentations. All we have to give people, is "The WORD" of The LIVING GOD.” And so, I say this; "If JESUS is enough for our brothers and sisters. And HE is enough for the poor." Then, Beloved, HE is enough for us all!" More than enough, I'd say!" All we need to do, is to Trust HIM - The WORD Who became flesh, so that we would walk obediently to GOD'S SPIRIT, and no longer according to the flesh.
For when you have nothing more than FAITH in GOD'S WORD; I assure you, that we have all we need.
Consider how Mathew 9:28-30 affirms this TRUTH, through a conversation between The LORD and some blind men, who wanted to see HIM Who is The Door": And when HE had come into the house, the blind men came to HIM. And JESUS said to them, "Do you Believe that I AM able to do this?"
They said to HIM, "Yes, LORD," Then HE touched their eyes, saying, "According to your FAITH
let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. And JESUS sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it."
[Brethren,
when The LORD spoke to these men," HE warned them to tell no one!" Yet to us, whose eyes have been opened by "GRACE" through "FAITH" in the "finished work" of The Cross of CHRIST."
HE wants us to see, and understand, that our LORD is sending us out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Yes, to see that Romans 10:14-15 is an instruction for you and me. Consider how it reads: How then shall they call on HIM in Whom they have not Believed? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the GOSPEL of PEACE, who bring Good News of Good things!"
[Brethren,
GOD’S WORD is our LORD, sending us to Preach HIS GOSPEL, to those who have yet to see, and to understand, that GOD is not willing that any should perish!" [Right, that any should perish!"]
But that all might come to repentance," and into the knowledge of Everlasting LIFE, by Trusting in the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST."
So please, Beloved, let us LOVE our fellow man, and care about their SALVATION, just as much as we can."
For everyone who has yet to Trust in CHRIST, is like a man whose standing on sinking sand."
Preach The GOSPEL, Beloved, and shine the "The LIGHT" that lives within us."
JESUS
OK