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Wealth and Riches
are Questionable Blessings!
Jesus said: Mark 8:34Living Bible (TLB)
34 Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely.
Paul the Apostle teaches:
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain 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 which 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 faithin their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1Ti. 6:6-10)
Luke 12:34Living Bible (TLB)
34 Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:17
The attitude of the city of Laodicea has infected the 21st century church.
Please listen!
Self-sufficiency is the death-knell of a relationship with God.
You were not created for your own desires or purpose. You were created by Him (God)... and for His good purpose.
Pride and self-sufficiency has crept into the culture and the culture has crept into the church.
Man seems unable to experience provision from God without misplacing its source as his own achievements
(Jer. 9:23-24; Hos. 12:8-9; Luke 12:16-21)
which then becomes the focus leading to evil:
Jeremiah 9:23-24King James Version (KJV)
23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
Hosea 12:8-9King James Version (KJV)
8 And Ephraim said, yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9 And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
Luke 12:16-21King James Version (KJV)
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Here we see the curse of blessing, for Scripture records that where men received God's blessing they soon drifted away from the very source of their blessing.
Everywhere, the pattern of history is that of a revolving wheel:
Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest-when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up,(filled with pride) and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock. (Deu. 8:11-15)
Laodicea was:
*Blind:
The Laodicean's had no idea of their condition because they were spiritually blind. Being blind, they do not know they are blind.
Scripture makes it plain that those who are sure of their sight are most often sightless. (Isa. 42:18-20)
Sin makes one blind and he cannot perceive his corruption (Eph. 4:18)
*Miserable: They were wretched, ταλαίπωρος [talaipōros]-afflicted and miserable. Never content with what they had! Never having enough!
*Poor: they were Poor in the wrong way: spiritually rather than materially. They could not enjoy their blessing because of greed and pride.
*Naked:, they had not watched nor kept their garments so now they were naked (Rev. 16:15).
Their shame was evident to all but themselves, for they were blind to their own nakedness.
So it is with many people and churches in our day who are convinced that their social status, activities and programs are an indicator of their spiritual health.
They, having lost all capacity for true introspection by the measure of God's Word, are unable to assess their true Spiritual condition by anything other business or ministry statistics.
As they grow in material wealth, influence and numbers, their willingness to admit their need for correction continually lessens until they reach a condition much like that of the church at Laodicea.
Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia, indifferent in needful matters, and so ready to seek pleasure or happiness from the world.
Be Exhorted By The Lord Jesus:
Rev. 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16 So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
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