| Money is just a
commodity which is used to produce something of
value OR an item given in exchange for some other
product or service. Money is not inherently evil
in and of itself. Whether building a temple or a
tavern, the construction of both require money.
So, why is it that many people think that if they
could just attain a certain amount of money ...
or go into debt to acquire a certain thing which
is purchased with borrowed money ... that they
would finally attain happiness and peace of mind?
Money can no more produce happiness and peace of
mind than a solid brick of pure gold can protect
you from the elements during a raging storm, or
warm your body during a winter blizzard. It is
how money is used that is really at issue, here
... NOT just the existence of money. And, used
properly, money doesn’t drain your
life’s blood.
The financial area is probably the area which
most of us have had the least amount of training
in. And, for some folks the mental, spiritual and
physical areas don’t pose as great a
challenge as the financial area. With others,
their greatest challenge is one of the other
areas. I must confess, due to some unexpected and
very unfortunate circumstances, as well as bad
investments and other financial decisions, the
Financial area is probably the area that I am
struggling with most, right now. Cutting back is
not as productive as better use.
We’ve just recently seen a near financial
collapse, here in the United States. But, you
know what? This problem is NOT just confined to
the US. Many countries are in economic turmoil
today. And, I am going to go out on a limb, here,
and give you a little bit of country boy wit
coupled with some things I have come to
understand in the Scriptures. Are you old enough
to remember the old aluminum ice trays that we
all used back in the 50’s and 60’s
which had the insert that sat down in the tray
with the handle on top, which was used to break
the ice into cubes once the water had frozen?
Well, I used to put the insert down in an empty
ice tray and then I would fill the tray with
water by . Now, I know a normal person would
probably fill the ice tray, then put the insert
down into the water. But, I ain’t like the
crowd. At any rate, I would put the insert down
into the tray before putting the insert in, and
run the water back and forth over the
compartments. As a result, some compartments
would be more water than other compartments. But,
I knew that before the water could freeze,
because of the loose fitting insert in the tray,
the water level in all of the different
compartments would level out.
Now, with this ice tray in mind, think about
this. I believe we have arrived at the day when
all of the different countries of the world are
just like the compartments which the insert
formed in that old ice tray. Right now, some
compartments have more water than other
compartments. However, they’re all going to
level off as we head towards a one world economic
system and one world government. **IF** my notion
is accurate, some countries (including the US)
will have to go down as other countries rise
until they are all level. Now, let me quickly
insert something. I am NOT a gloom and doom
promoter. It is my most earnest commitment to be
as positive as I can AND to occupy right up until
the time the Lord calls me home whether by way of
the grave or not. Soooo, I am NOT even hinting
that God’s people should be afraid. But, I
do believe we are going to see some challenging
times ahead. That said, this is certainly not the
time for any of us to get sloppy with our work.
Instead, we all need to be more diligent in our
service to God, more hungry for His Word, more
sensitive to the leading of His Spirit, and more
submissive to His Will from here on out.
Otherwise, there is a very good possibility that
we will not be among those who endure unto the
end.
Many people have turned ... and are turning
back ... if not outwardly, inwardly. And, the
reason I say that is because it is possible for
those of us who have been part of this precious
Apostles One God Monotheistic Doctrine for a
number of years to know just how to go through
all of the motions while being as empty as a
gourd on the inside. **IF** it were not possible
for anyone to fall away, there would be
absolutely no need to call a series of services a
"revival". Why revive something if it
is doing alright? I mean, today we have
difibrilators to give an electrical shock to a
heart attack victim in an effort to resuscitate
... or revive ... them. And, I would be the last
person to say that defibrilators are not
necessary, or serve no purpose for anyone.
Getting back on track: There are a number of
very good financial advisors and Christian
counselors out there with some really good
material available for those of us who need help
in this area. However, the Bible also has a
wealth of knowledge in it regarding this matter.
And, it is my hope that we can hit a few high
spots and glean some wisdom and knowledge that
will help us as we navigate into uncertain
financial waters
We all have heard of the Scripture used which
says, "...the love of money is the root of
all evil". It is found in 1 Timothy 6:10
However, we will take a closer look at this
Scripture in a portion of Scriptures which is
found below. Some folks don’t think they
"love" money, but they spend a lot of
time talking the lack of it.
Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of
gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth
gifts shall live.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver
shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that
loveth abundance with increase: this is also
vanity.
Jeremiah 17:10-11 I the LORD search the
heart, I try the reins, even to give every man
according to his ways, and according to the fruit
of his doings. As the partridge sitteth on eggs,
and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches,
and not by right, shall leave them in the midst
of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
1Timothy 6:1-10 Let as many servants as
are under the yoke count their own masters worthy
of all honour, that the name of God and his
doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have
believing masters, let them not despise them,
because they are brethren; but rather do them
service, because they are faithful and beloved,
partakers of the benefit. These things teach and
exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness; He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes
of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings,
evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of
corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness: from such
withdraw thyself. But 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 raiment let us be therewith
content. 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. 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.
There is a law of sowing and reaping in the
nature realm as well as in the spiritual realm.
There is one thing certain, nothing will be
harvested if nothing gets planted. Therefore, **IF**
a person doesn’t use their time, efforts,
talents and their finances properly, they need
not expect a bountiful harvest. And, that is true
whether we are talking about watermelons or a
rainy day fund.
Galatians 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God
is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he
that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if
we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity,
let us do good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Now we command
you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every
brother that walketh disorderly, and not after
the tradition which he received of us. For
yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we
behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought;
but wrought with labour and travail night and day,
that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
Not because we have not power, but to make
ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For
even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
For we hear that there are some which walk among
you disorderly, working not at all, but are
busybodies. Now them that are such we command and
exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with
quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But
ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if
any man obey not our word by this epistle, note
that man, and have no company with him, that he
may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy,
but admonish him as a brother.
1 Peter 2:13-18 Submit yourselves to
every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto
governors, as unto them that are sent by him for
the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise
of them that do well. For so is the will of God,
that with well doing ye may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using
your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as
the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants,
be subject to your masters with all fear; not
only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward.
1 Peter 3:14-17 But and if ye suffer
for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience;
that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of
evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely
accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it
is better, if the will of God be so, that ye
suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 4:14-18 If ye be reproached for
the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit
of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their
part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is
glorified. But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as
a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man
suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed;
but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the
time is come that judgment must begin at the
house of God: and if it first begin at us, what
shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel
of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved,
where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Ezekiel Chapter 7 speaks of the end and
impending destruction in the ancient Holy Land.
And, even though death, destruction and wars are
still a part of its existence, today ... even
though Israel was destroyed and regathered as a
nation again in 1948 ..., I believe this chapter
still has some application for us today as a
warning of the impending end and destruction of
this world. I may be wrong. But, what if I
ain’t?
Verse 19 should give us pause today ...
especially in light of the recent financial woes
throughout the world. They shall cast their
silver in the streets, and their gold shall be
removed: their silver and their gold shall not be
able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of
the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls,
neither fill their bowels: because it is the
stumblingblock of their iniquity.
It is my belief that we are headed for a cash-less
society, when no one will be carrying money on
their person. It is almost to that point now. At
any rate, it will be welcomed by the masses
because that will eliminate armed robberies, as
those who participate will probably have an
implanted computer chip in their hand, which can
be scanned when they need to make a financial
transaction. Everything will be done by
electronic transactions. **IF** this materializes,
paper money ... if it has any value to speak of
right now ... won’t be worth the paper
it’s printed on. And, silver and gold
probably won’t be of much use either.
Again, I am not a gloom and doom
promoter. However, as I see these things taking
shape before our eyes, it can only mean one thing
... we ain’t got much longer to go! Keep
your eyes on the prize and don’t ever
quit!
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