RSS Feed YOUR POSSESSIONS A BLESSING OF GOD OR AN INSTRUMENT OF SATAN
Let’s have a look at this young man in Matthew 19:16–22. The Bible tells us that this young man was worried about something in particular but note, he was religious, rich, obedient and upright in life.
But, in spite of the fact that he tried to keep all of God’s commandments, this religious man was serving another god at the same time, he was serving his wealth. Some of us are like him, some, position or children, wife or husband, that is, serving two more interests than God at the same time, but Jesus in Matthew 6 : 24 says, it is impossible to serve two masters. When this man had to choose between serving God and serving his wealth, he chose his wealth. See Exodus 20:3, You shall have no other gods before me. See also Job 31:24–28, If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, you are my security, if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendour, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.
Jesus knew that the real problem of this rich young man was that he was trying to serve two masters. But, actually, he had just one (most) his wealth. Because he had put his trust in his riches, the young man had, in fact, been unfaithful to God.
Jesus warns about the dangers which go along with being rich or highly placed, a rich person will find it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven because riches tend to enslave a person to his or her possessions and take God from His rightful place.
Note that Jesus does NOT say that it is impossible for a rich person to be saved. It only teaches that it is very difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God because his riches enslave him and take the place of God.
Today, gambling in whatever has become and more popular, even they go as long as to celebrate in the church when they win. Many states have government run lotteries, for example, ( American lotteries) But, let us consider what the Bible has to say : Read Isaiah 65: 11–12, But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny. I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer. I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me. Those who follow the “god of GOOD LUCK” are also denying the Sovereignty of God. In the case of the rich man, he tried to worship two lords, but in reality he only served his possessions while he denied the Sovereignty of God.
Among those who are left out of the Kingdom of God are those who are greedy. See Ephesians 5:5–7, For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
The Christian life is completely the opposite of the spirit of chance and good luck. See 1st Timothy 6:17–19, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming.
To be GENEROUS with the possessions God has given to us means to be willing to give and share what we have with others.
Read 1st Timothy 5:16, If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. See Romans 12:13, Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Read Acts of Apostles 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said : It is more blessed to give than to receive. See also Acts of Apostles 11:27–30, During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. Read Philippians 4:14–15, Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.
Let’s have a look at this young man in Matthew 19:16–22. The Bible tells us that this young man was worried about something in particular but note, he was religious, rich, obedient and upright in life.
But, in spite of the fact that he tried to keep all of God’s commandments, this religious man was serving another god at the same time, he was serving his wealth. Some of us are like him, some, position or children, wife or husband, that is, serving two more interests than God at the same time, but Jesus in Matthew 6 : 24 says, it is impossible to serve two masters. When this man had to choose between serving God and serving his wealth, he chose his wealth. See Exodus 20:3, You shall have no other gods before me. See also Job 31:24–28, If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, you are my security, if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendour, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.
Jesus knew that the real problem of this rich young man was that he was trying to serve two masters. But, actually, he had just one (most) his wealth. Because he had put his trust in his riches, the young man had, in fact, been unfaithful to God.
Jesus warns about the dangers which go along with being rich or highly placed, a rich person will find it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven because riches tend to enslave a person to his or her possessions and take God from His rightful place.
Note that Jesus does NOT say that it is impossible for a rich person to be saved. It only teaches that it is very difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God because his riches enslave him and take the place of God.
Today, gambling in whatever has become and more popular, even they go as long as to celebrate in the church when they win. Many states have government run lotteries, for example, ( American lotteries) But, let us consider what the Bible has to say : Read Isaiah 65: 11–12, But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny. I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer. I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me. Those who follow the “god of GOOD LUCK” are also denying the Sovereignty of God. In the case of the rich man, he tried to worship two lords, but in reality he only served his possessions while he denied the Sovereignty of God.
Among those who are left out of the Kingdom of God are those who are greedy. See Ephesians 5:5–7, For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
The Christian life is completely the opposite of the spirit of chance and good luck. See 1st Timothy 6:17–19, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming.
To be GENEROUS with the possessions God has given to us means to be willing to give and share what we have with others.
Read 1st Timothy 5:16, If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. See Romans 12:13, Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Read Acts of Apostles 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said : It is more blessed to give than to receive. See also Acts of Apostles 11:27–30, During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. Read Philippians 4:14–15, Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.