DLUCAS:
Greetings in Christ name.
1 TIM chap 6
" But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 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.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousnes righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
vs. 8 I agree with wholeheartedly. Be content with the basic necessitities of life. Do not seek after great riches. Contentment in financial means is Godly whatever your net worth. Didn't King David say that he had never seen a righteous man beg for bread, so by the same measure you will never convince me it is God's will to be reduced to the status of begging , for example. I am sure you agree.
When I made the statement it is hard to live a victorious life without financial blessings I will open my heart to you in telling you really what I was thinking.
Financial blessings to me start with necessities, money to buy food clothing and shelter. Mat 6:25" Therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life , what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink,nor yet for your body,what ye shall put on. Is life more than meat and the body than rainments" Dont draw conclusions yet, Matthew later records in vs 30: "Wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven shall he not much more clothe you. OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH.
When I was a child my mother would buy me a pair of new shoes. She would not let me wear them until Sunday to church. I had to break them in inside the house in case they didn't fit she could return them. When Sunday came I was thrilled to wear them to church, then after several months when they were broken in I finally got to wear them to school where I could show them off again.
My point: Just this. Jesus says take " no thought". Let him take the thought. I wear everything in my closet on a rotational basis. I figure it wouldn't be in there if God had not provided for me. Be satisfied with whetever the Lord provides. Let the child in you be thrilled with whatever he provides. Let Him see your pleasure with His blessings. In this way you are telling Him you trust Him for whatever He provides, and you will be able to watch your blessings grow and multiply. I want all the blessings that God would desire to bless me with, nor do I want any more than that.
In the sermon on the mount the first words out of Christ's mouth were MAT 5:3 " blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Notice that he did not say blessed are the poor.
To me , starving, poor, in debt, bound up, hungry, out of work,sick, ill, lame, diseased, depressed, mentally ill, divorced, broke, angry, burdened, Christians bring God no Glory. I am just stating my opinion, don't even think that I am acussing you of being opposite minded.
To you lusts of the western world have choked off fruit from the vine. Would you mind if I said a prayer for all of us on this thread.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE REPENT FOR OUR DESIRE TO SEEK WORLDLY THINGS OVER YOU. WE REPENT OVER DESIRE FOR AMBITION, AND WORLDLY GAIN OVER YOU. I ASK YOU NOW IN JESUS NAME TO RENEW OUR HEARTS AND TO FILL US WITH YOUR JOY , PEACE AND STRENGTH. FORGIVE US AND TRUST US AGAIN WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR SAVING GRACE. RESTORE US TO OUR RIGHTFUL POSITIONS IN YOUR KINGDOM, AND PLACE WITHIN US A DESIRE TO SEEK ALL THAT IS ETERNAL, AND FINALLY LORD HELP US TO LEAVE THE BLESSING BUSINESS UP TO YOU, HELP US TO PROCEED ON YOUR TIMETABLE AND NOT OUR OWN. PUT SPIRITUAL BLINDERS ON US SO THAT WE WILL KEEP OUR EYES ON YOU AND NOT GET DISTRACTED WITH THE LUSTS AND FALSE DESIRES OF THIS WORLD . GIVE US A SPECIAL FREEDOM THIS CHRISTMAS TO HAVE THE TIME TO SEEK YOU IN PRAYER IN PRAISE AND IN WORSHIP.IN JESUS NAME I PRAY. AMEN. |
