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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 have had a treasurer if there was no money to handle.

Have you ever heard that one? Let’s examine it against Holy Scripture, shall we?

From time to time we see folk who do ministry touting, virtue signaling that they “don’t take donations” as if allowing the body of Christ to obey Jesus by laying up treasure in Heaven is a bad thing (Matthew 6:19-21). SMH at this ridiculousness. THINK: If allowing people to give to a ministry of Christ is a sin or is wrong, that would make Jesus Christ a sinner – because the Son of God had a treasurer who handled the love offerings that were given to Christ’s ministry. Anyone ever heard of Judas? Hint: If Jesus had a treasurer, that meant there was money to handle (John 12:6; 13:29).

God’s Word tell us that Judas “had the bag.” The term “had the bag” in John 12:6 and 13:29 simply means he, Judas, handled the money.

The fact that Jesus and His holy apostles had a treasurer means they received offerings.

Seems that those self-righteous ministers who don’t believe God’s people should be giving to God’s work don’t truly believe they themselves are doing God’s work. Think about that. If they genuinely believed they were doing God’s work, if they were crucified with Christ and therefore separated unto the LORD and not making their work their identity, why would they be so uneasy about people funding GOD’s work? Perhaps they see their work as THEIRS – THEIR work and not God’s. Selah.

There is a big difference between those in ministry who are in it for the money (2 Peter 2:1-3) and those who simply and humbly receive the money given by God’s people to do HIS work. Ultimately, the work of God is God’s work, not man’s. The LORD simply uses the men He calls out and prepares as instruments in His work (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5; 3:6-9; 9:1-14, etc.).

Isn’t it interesting that Judas was a thief, the betrayer of the Son of God, and as such He misdirected, misappropriated those funds? So, Judas took from our LORD’s Gospel work. Seems to me that those attempting to hinder God’s people from giving to His work as he commanded them to do, are stealing from them and from Christ and cheating them out of blessings God intends to give them.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Clearly, to hinder someone from giving to Jesus’ work is to deprive them of the associated divine blessings.

Flash Point: God has no will, desire, directive, or command for His people that does not come with a divine blessing attached to it! (Psalms 68:19; 103:2; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.) How is God going to release that blessing to His people if there’s no ability to meet that condition? If there’s no way for them to fulfill it?

Some will even take Matthew 10:8 our of context. They will declare “Freely ye have received, freely give.” So, in this they are saying that we only give. We don’t receive but we only give. But if we haven’t received, if we don’t possess something, how can we give it out? Please tell us which comes first in this verse (Matthew 10:8 above) – receiving or giving? Receiving. One has to receive in order to “have to give”, right? Right (Ephesians 4:28).

“This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare (carried) what was put therein.” John 12:6 

Also, remember that “Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury”… So if having a place people could give was a sin, was wrong, WHY did Jesus not tell us so right here? After all, the unchanging Son of God is in the place where the people of God gather and He’s specifically sitting and watching how people gave. If allowing people to give to GOD’s work, not man’s, is wrong, is a sin, then Jesus Christ was participating in sin by not stopping it. Read Mark 12:41-44.

Where does Jesus sit in our midst?

What does Jesus watch for?

Jesus is watching how we are stewarding His resources. He watches what percentage we give to His work and ouT of which heart (Mark 12:41-44; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

The 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 (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works and giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us for us, relinquishing the things of this world and putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ – for saints to be built up and the lost to hear the Word of God! (Matthew 6:19-21)

The LORD incentivizes His people to sow bountifully and yet it must be done out of the right heart. The LORD loves it when we give hilariously – worshipfully with exuberant thanksgiving and joy as He gives into our hands.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Giving, Stewardship

Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast]

Money, Material Wealth, and Riches

The Joy of Kingdom Giving [podcast]

Dollar Dialogue [podcast]

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Abiding

Putting God First [podcast]


If God’s Word isn’t important to you, it’s because He isn’t important to you.

If anything comes before the LORD in your day, you are an idolater.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

GOD’s WORD cannot get into you if you aren’t into it.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Jesus commanded:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6:33

As you seek God, putting Him first, you are not going to be able to prevent, to stop His blessings coming upon your life. 100%

Memorize this promise from your Savior, today.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

What putting Christ first looks like:

Prayer.

“Early will I seek thee.” Psalms 63:1

Read. Study.

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.  Job 23:12

The Bible is far from just amazing information (Psalms 119:98-100; 2 Peter 1:3-4, etc.). More important than vital information coming from our Maker, God’s Word is your spiritual food and without it, without daily ingesting it, you will famish, fall, and ultimately perish.

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2

Read that again: The only way to “grow” is to “desire” and to devour the Word of your great God and King Jesus. He made you to know Him (John 17:3).

The only way to keep, to guard your heart before the LORD, is to keep it full of God’s Word.

“Keep (guard, till the soil of) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

In fact, like Job, we must make the spiritual food of God’s Word more important than the food that fuels and keeps healthy our physical body.

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

“He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart RETAIN my words: keep my commandments, and live.” Proverbs 4:4

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms 1

Find. Eat. Rejoice.

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

YOUR PRAYER: Father please unite my heart to fear Thy name. Forgive my sins of spiritual adultery, of self-idolatry. Here and now I renounce my own ownership on my life. It’s Your life LORD. Reign on the throne of this heart and cut away, circumcise any and everything of iniquity in my heart and life. You must increase but I must decrease, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry UpdatesBecause You Care Page | Bible/Word of GodThe Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Grace and Truth Bible School [modules] | 7 Study Guides to a Greater Foundation in Christ | Knowing God | The Cross Life | Christology = the Study of Christ

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Abiding

Victory Over “Evil Concupiscence” and Every Sexual Sin [podcast]


“Flee fornication”

“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:15-20

“Concupiscence” appears 3 times in God’s Word and speaking of having a secret desire for that which is forbidden, namely in sexual lust.

“But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.” Romans 7:8

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Colossians 3:5

“Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:” 1 Thessalonians 4:5

Revelation 19:7-9

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” 

Colossians 3:1-6

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”  

Memorize Colossians 3:3

“Submerge yourself deeper and deeper into Jesus until you sink out of sight.”!! Unknown

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Read Psalms 51 and Romans 6 each morning.

PRAYER: Holy Father, please forgive my many sins. Please touch this vessel all the way to the core of who You made me to be. Do Your work in this life You gave. Please unite my heart to fear Thy name and purify this heart O LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Return of Jesus and Being Ready

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | More on Assurance hereBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Knowing God | The Cross Life | 100’s of Christ-centered Scripture-rich PodcastsChristology = the Study of Christ

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Abiding

The Simplicity of Real Fellowship [podcast]


Satan thinks he has Stolen the Fellowship of the Saints

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12

Exhorting God’s People “Daily”

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16

“Feed my sheep”

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17

Simplicity in Fellowship

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  Acts 2:42

They “continued steadfastly in …

  • “the apostles doctrines”
  • “fellowship”
  • “breaking bread”
  • “prayers”

“Great podcast. Thank you. As I was listening I was thinking about all the many churches we have attended through the years. And the one thing missing was love for Jesus. Everything was robotic. Hands raised in singing but no hearts raised. All scripted. You follow the script then go home. No honesty about their lives! All fake. Nothing more than a religious gathering. The disciples of old turned the world upside down because of their love for their Savior! They were willing to die for Him and they did! All these fake Christians do is wear outward religious garb and somehow think Jesus doesn’t know – as in Matthew 23. How refreshing it is to be around people who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind! (Mat 22:37). Even if it is mostly online and as they live their daily lives. At least it is all about Jesus and not self! And I want to be with people who are Christ-centered not self-centered!” Karen Cochran

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please do Your work in this vessel that is Yours. Help me to love You more and to live to serve others as You did LORD Jesus. Make me holy as You are holy. Let this life be crucified and raised up by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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