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Money, Material Wealth, and Riches [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“Hath nothing” vs “Hath great riches”

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7

Who is the man who has “nothing” though he appears to have much in this world?

Who is the man who has nothing in this world yet “great riches” awaiting him in glory?

The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world and gaining an eternal perspective (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 4:18). And that we, our good works, our giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us, relinquishing the things of this world for the glory of God – putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Christ – for saints to be fed and equipped and the lost to hear the Word of God (Matt. 6:19-21).

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

When we are content in Christ we will not covet because we will be complete.

Are you making yourself rich in this fleeting world or trusting in the infinite riches of God?

Adam Clarke on Proverbs 13:7:

“There is that maketh himself rich – That labors hard to acquire money, yet hath nothing; his excessive covetousness not being satisfied with what he possesses, nor permitting him to enjoy with comfort what he has acquired. There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches – ‘As poor,’ said St. Paul, ‘yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.’ The former is the rich poor man; the latter is the poor rich man.”

John Wesley on Proverbs 13:7:

“Maketh rich – Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich – Some rich men profess to be poor.”

Pulpit commentary on Proverbs 13:7:

“The first clause reminds one of the rich fool who laid up treasure for himself, and was not rich toward God (Luke 12:21; comp. Revelation 3:17, Revelation 3:18). The second clause teaches that wealth expended in God’s service makes a man rich in the treasury of heaven (Luke 12:21, Luke 12:33). One who thus uses the means entrusted to him could be spoken of like St. Paul, ‘as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things’ (2 Corinthians 6:10).”

The sum total of our riches are Christ and Christ alone. There are no riches with eternal import outside of Him (Colossians 1-2). And, any person not partaking in a relationship with Him on earth, will be void of the riches of His presence eternally.

There are many who make themselves rich in this fleeting world, yet have nothing but Hell awaiting them forever. They pour their God-given talents and time into making it in this temporary world, giving up Christ for their own momentary money. They sell their eternal souls for temporal trinkets.

“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.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Money brings power in this world. Faith and prayer bring power with God. Which one do you desire, covet? Which are you seeking?

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

Do you have a heart after God or after the things of this temporal world?

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22

Man is significant based solely on being made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). A man’s looks or temporal possessions, trinkets, money, etc., have zero to do with his real worth. The money, the vehicle, the house, does NOT make the man. In fact, Jesus warns: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” See Mark 8:36. God made man and as such, as the creation of God, He desires a relationship with all men.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life (significance in God’s eyes) consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

Getting ready to die and go to Hell is not success – no matter how much “success” you foolishly think you’ve obtained in this brief life.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37

“Charge Them”

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Covetousness, Greed are Soul Damning Sins

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

Corporatization creates robots who follow the fools. Example: the covid cons and the cowards who comply.

WHEN I was working in the Space Program for a company that was contracted to NASA, they were shooting for 100% opt-in, total cooperation for a % taken out of our checks to give to the United Way, a demonic murderous organization that supports and gives money to planned MURDER-hood. Gladly, boldly, I spoiled that party, drawing a line in the sand. They were coercively conning every single employee into giving to the planned MURDER-hood United Way and their standing was in jeopardy with NASA if they didn’t get everyone in. Not me. Nope. I plainly told them I will lay no finger on or give a single penny to assisting in the cold blooded murder of innocent babies. Didn’t care what the consequences were.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

Far too many people are serving money and therefore have a myriad of excuses as to why they compromise. All who serve mammon are as sure for eternal damnation as if they were already there.

“Rich Toward God” vs. “Not Rich Toward God”

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 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.” Luke 12:15-21

Many claiming to be saved by the One who gave all for them, are rich toward self and “not rich toward God” in this temporal life.

Jesus tells us exactly how not to waste our earthly riches and talents and how to be eternally rich!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Gospel ministries that feed you and others are there by the ordination of God – to help you grown in Christ’s grace and to have a place to give to further Jesus’ Gospel and lay up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 4:11-12). God’s Word calls us to support those feeding us (Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14, etc.). That’s all a gift of God – in your lap. Yet the “labourers are few” and so are the suppliers (Matthew 9:35-38).

“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

Would the few Gospel “labourers” be near dead broke if the LORD’s people were properly supporting HIS Work? Matthew 6:19-21; 9:35-38; 2 Corinthians 9:7-11; etc.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

Are you supporting the WORK of Christ or some mere man’s “church” enterprise?

Do you spend more time in “church” than in the Bible itself? Wow! Red flags flying!

Cheerful Giving | Stewardship

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"Thou Fool, this Night Thy Soul shall be Required of Thee" [podcast]

Recorded at a home Bible fellowship Getting ready to die and go to hell is not success – no matter how “successful” you foolishly think you’ve become by what you’ve obtained in this brief life. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37 “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee” “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of […]

Was Judas Jesus' Treasurer? If So, What Does that Reveal?

Yes, Judas was the appointed treasurer in our LORD’s earthly ministry. And so what does that tell us? Jesus and the apostles did receive love offerings. Jesus taught His people, us, to “give” and so why would He turn away love offerings which He was going to use to give eternal treasure to those who gave – laying it up in Heaven for them, the ultimate eternal dividends? (Matthew 6:19-21) Why would Christ and His holy apostles want to rob His people from laying up eternal treasure? After all, that’s exactly what they taught us to do. Jesus would not […]

WHERE to Give Your Money and Where Not to Give it

Sending Up Treasures to Heaven “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 You’re going to spend your life and energy doing something. Should it not be that which holds eternal value? Isn’t everything else waste? Why waste your time and energy in this brief life on temporal trinkets and pursuits? Riches There’s no heavenly treasure to be gained by giving to political causes. Sending support overseas? Did you know there is a priority laid out in God’s Word as to where we are to give? First, we should only fund full-counsel Christ-centered ministries. Then, we are […]

Abiding

“Thou hast been in Eden the Garden of God.” ~ Ezekiel 28:13 [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages

THE INTRUDERS—THE RESTORATION

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God.” ~ Ezekiel 28:13

The evil one had been thrust down from Heaven to the earth for the iniquity found in him (Ezek. 28:15; Lk. 10:18). This evil foe, who had been ejected by God from Heaven’s pristine and perfect premises, was cast down to the earth and allowed in the sanctuary of the Garden of Eden, because God gives men a choice to serve—or to not serve Him. He created in mankind the gift of free will. Temptation is ultimately the test as to whom the individual will love and serve. “For the LORD your God proveth (tests) you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut. 13:3).

The serpent slithered among the lush embellishments of the Garden of Eden. His goal was the fall of the first man and woman who were created in the image of the One who made all things. Satan obviously schemed and strategized as to what weapon to employ in order to accomplish his main objective—to cause the first man and woman to fall from grace by sinning, and consequently, be alienated from the LORD. This enemy of souls knew from personal experience that the Almighty keeps His Word and casts down those who disobey Him. To this point, Adam and Eve knew only righteousness. They did not yet realize what the evil one knew and had already been the recipient of – that is, the judgment of God for his sin. A hard lesson lay ahead of Adam and Eve, and a fallen creation would be left in the wake of their defiance of the holy LORD and His righteous command – not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17).

The enemy of all souls has not changed. His temptations are “common to man” (1 Cor. 10:13). Satan’s goal was, and is, to interrupt and destroy the relationship between his enemy, God, and His special creation—man. Jesus informed us that the ultimate “thief” has come to “steal, to kill and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10). This same goal—the fall of man—is still his aim and will be until the LORD Himself puts him away for good (Rev. 20:10).

From the Garden to the modern pulpit, the enemy has lied to mankind. Satan and his false teachers are the intruders—the very enemies of the Almighty. The serpent has slithered through the garden path of history, seductively spreading his poisonous seed, causing the fall of many and now possesses the thoughts and doctrines of an army of deceived men in ministry.

Ever since the Garden, the lie of the ages dwells among men, especially in the sanctuary where the LORD is supposed to be reigning—the Church world. As in the Garden of creation, so the enemy specifically concentrates on the sanctuary of his enemy’s people. He seeks to molest purity, beguiling those who are unlearned. Many times, he uses the body of Christ’s own leaders.

Today, the pulpits and platforms of modern media are the places that most people simply do not suspect to be the mediums where falsehoods thrive, reside, and flow. They do not see the serpent lurking among the trees in the garden of modern “Christian” pulpits, organizations, and media. Most are not aware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing who, like the lurking serpent in the garden, “lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14).

As foretold by the prophet Amos, the enemy of souls seeks to alter and remove the Word of God from the hearing of God’s people (Amos 8:11). This is what he did in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:17; 3:4). Today this same enemy uses the most subtle messengers—the ones many people look to for truth. The Holy Spirit forewarned us that in these last of days men would not remain in the truth but rather that “some shall depart from the faith” and that “many” would “corrupt the word of God” (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Cor. 2:17): “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

It simply doesn’t matter if a leader realizes he is teaching heresy or not. If he is teaching anything other than the Word, he is a detractor from the glory of God and leading others astray. Men of God are to “preach the word” and speak only “as the oracles (words) of God” (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 4:11). This is a non-negotiable command to all who would accurately represent the LORD. No matter the reasoning, one will be found a deceiver on Judgment Day if he preaches any other message than the Word of God (Isa. 8:20). One can be sincere and sincerely wrong at the same time (Prov. 14:12). “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

The holy and almighty God told us that He is going to judge all men according to His Word (Jn. 12:48; Rom. 2:16; Rev. 20:11-15).

From the very beginning (Garden of Creation), the beguiler’s target has been God’s people. Nothing has changed. His message to men is simple— “You don’t have to worry about obedience, it’s optional, you can live the way you choose and still remain in the grace of God.”

Through those men he uses today, the enemy mixes in some truth with this deadly lie of lasciviousness and poisons the whole pond, leading many astray into a false gospel and false security. Perhaps it has been wisely stated that “Satan will give you a million pounds of truth to blind you with that one ounce of a deadly lie which will kill you.” In order to bring in a lie among God’s people, the enemy likes to lead with truth as his smokescreen in order to bring in that deadly distortion behind the cover of truth. See Matthew 16:6-12 and 1 Corinthians 5:6. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9).

Why should we be surprised that this ultimate enemy still uses the most “subtle” and unsuspected methods and personalities to communicate his deadly message to God’s people? After all, his message still works to cause unsuspecting men to fall out of fellowship with God. Why should we wonder why the evil one still utilizes the same lie that claimed the first man and woman? Has this message not captured untold scores of souls since then? Are we so blindly naïve as to believe that there is no evil or devil? Why should we be surprised to realize that this same evil enemy of souls is ceaselessly in the midst of our garden today, telling this same lie by adding to the Word of the Maker?

God said “Thou shalt surely die,” and Satan countered with “Ye shall not surely die.”

Are pulpits more sacred than the very Garden of Eden? Obviously not. There was no sin in the Garden until Satan introduced the lie of the ages, and the man and woman bought it. In the very cradle of creation, the enemy of God initiated and launched the lie that would fatally wound mankind, claiming the souls of millions throughout the centuries. This exact same deadly lie was picked up, incorporated, and perpetuated by early century church fathers, so-called theologians, whose heresy-laced writings and commentaries regrettably hold great prominence among many evangelicals today—even though they have no reconciliation with the Counsel of God, which will be demonstrated throughout this book.

The Bible enlightens us to the reality that Satan is a strategist and has schemes of which believers are instructed not to be ignorant (2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8). We are in a war, and like any good war general and his staff, we are to study and know the nature, weapons, and ways of our enemy.

The apostle Paul informed us that Satan’s methods are the same today as they were from the start—in the Garden.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

In this same text, the LORD told us that He makes a way to escape the re-used lies of the enemy and his temptations.

As can be clearly seen in Genesis, “once saved always saved” is not a new doctrine, and it’s also not the LORD’s doctrine. “Once saved always saved” is clearly the lie that caused the fall of man. This is the doctrine of the arch enemy of the Almighty. As in the very beginning, the unholy serpent himself is still creeping into the homes and gathering places of believers today and utilizing the same lie to mislead people and cause their fall from grace. The chief wolf who has come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” seeks to devour souls for his kingdom and from the Chief Shepherd, who is “come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10; Heb. 13:20). Beware! “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

The first lie led to the fall of the first man and woman and is leading to the fall of masses of people today. Millions in our day are being taught that they are unconditionally eternally secure—in the absence of the truth about the holiness of the God they will stand before in judgment, and His demand that we be made holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16).

The pulpits of America have been hi-jacked by men who have “crept in unawares” who are teaching a doctrine originated by the enemy of all souls and calling it “Christian.” This is paramount to using the name of the LORD in vain, by attaching His holy name to a teaching of his arch enemy.

Tracing the Lie

The adversary attacked God through His own creation—the Garden, the fruit, the serpent, the woman, and the man.

Does it intrigue you to uncover the very first lie told by the one Christ warned us of who is the father of all lies? Of Satan, Jesus said: “for he is a liar, and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).

One three-letter word— “not”—changed the course of history! Satan told the woman “Ye shall not surely die,” after their Maker had told them that they would “surely die” in the day they disobeyed Him (Gen. 2:17; 3:4).

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall NOT surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” ~ Genesis 3:4-5

This first and poisonous falsehood, the lie of the ages, is still today the same deadly venom being injected by the evil one in the battle that rages for the eternal souls of men. The serpent infused the first man and woman with this venomous and paralyzing deception, robbing from their hearts the fear of the LORD, which led to their fall from grace. Consequently, a separation was incurred between a holy Maker and His creation with a catastrophic curse which fell.

This unconditional eternal security—without condition to the recipient—is the very FIRST LIE the devil ever told to mankind. “Once saved always saved” (OSAS) is one of the modern labels of the renamed, or repackaged, lie of the ages. In this deception in the Garden, as well as in our day, Satan craftily convinces people that they have irrevocable “security” and “assurance,” no matter what their actions against the clear command/Word of God.

The message of eternal security without condition to the recipient is that once one has been born again, he has no responsibility to continue to faithfully obey the Almighty—the One who saved him. Those who sit under this teaching are told that once they have been brought into fellowship with Him in His garden of salvation through Christ, they can never “die” or be separated from Him again, even if they blatantly rebel. This lie teaches that the person who Christ has saved can then choose to live as he wishes with no fear of consequence or righteous retribution from the One who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). This is the very lie that Satan gave Adam and Eve which led to their fall into sin and separation from the LORD.

Can you see why it is a big score for the enemy of souls when people are told by their misled leaders that they are “once saved always saved”—no matter what they choose to do, including revolt completely against the Most High and go back to the life of sin?

In the sanctity of the Garden, where there was no suspicion, Satan intruded. Today, in the sanctuary of the pulpits and various Christian media, his emissaries are intruding where few suspect. He prospers because so many believe that their leaders are guiding them correctly, and yet do not know and obey the Word of God for themselves. Only those who learn the way of the LORD through His Word can know and see the enemy’s work. Those who do not have a life in the Word will fall prey to deception and ultimately be destroyed (Hos. 4:6; Matt. 22:29). Discernment comes from being personally exercised in the Word of God (Heb. 5:11-14).

The New Garden—Restored Holy Bliss

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” ~ Isaiah 9:6-7

The Genesis account of creation and the relationship between the LORD and the first man and woman, is an ongoing saga to continue until the hour of Christ’s return, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. We are given this record (the Bible) in order to know the LORD and how He deals with men, and who He blesses and who He curses.

From the Garden to the Holy City—Genesis to Revelation, the war over the souls of men rages. The enemy seeks to reclaim those redeemed by the blood of the One who is the seed of woman (Gen. 3:15). What better way to undertake such an evil mission than to use those shepherds at the very helm of the visible church?

God’s account of man’s creation and fall is not left without a solution from the only One who can remedy his alienation. Holy Writ opens with the creation and fall of mankind and the promised prophetic restoration through the Messiah of all who will come to Him, as He justly prescribed (Gen. 3:15). The book of all Books ends with a warning to all of us concerning making the very same error Adam and Eve made when they bought into the distortion of His holy words, and thereby fell, joining forces with His archenemy.

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” ~ Revelation 22:12-21

In these final words of Holy Scripture, Jesus Christ tells us that He is coming quickly to reward all according to each person’s works. He says to us that those who keep and do His Word will receive blessings and “have right to the tree of life” in the restored “holy city” of God. Outside this blessedness will be all who have lived in and justified their sins—no matter what their previous relationship with Him might have been. Then, in the very final words of Holy Writ, there is the warning of adding to or taking from His words. This adding to or removing of truth is done first internally, in the hearts of those who do not genuinely love the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Those who love darkness rather than His holy light do not wish to come clean under the light of divine truth (Jn. 3:18-21; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

This war for the souls of men spans from Genesis to Revelation, and the words of God are pivotal in this most crucial and consequential of battles. Those who play into the enemy’s scheme to “add unto” or “take away” from God’s words of instruction will be removed from the book of life, cut out of the holy city, and from all eternal blessings. The lake of fire waits.

PRAYER: LORD Jesus, please purify my heart and remove all dissimulation and mixture from me. Rid my life of all secret faults and presumptuous sins! Father, please grant me the blessing of knowing You in truth and living in Your holy light and will. Jesus, please preserve my eternal soul until the day of Your soon return. Amen.

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages