Are You Willing to do the Math and Find Out what Your Fruit Reveals?
=== JESUS CHRIST DID NOT COME TO DIE TO MAKE YOU RICH IN THIS SINFUL WORLD AND ANYONE TEACHING THAT IS A FALSE TEACHER. NO, IN FACT, HE STERNLY WARNED AGAINST BEING RICH IN THIS TEMPORAL WORLD DUE TO IT’S JEOPARDIZING OF YOUR ETERNAL SOUL. JESUS TOLD US TO LAY RICHES UP IN THE COMING WORLD AND IF WE DIDN’T, WE WOULDN’T BE WITH HIM IN THE NEXT WORLD (HEAVEN, NEW JERUSALEM). READ MATTHEW 6:19-24 AND LUKE 12 AND 16 AND 1 TIMOTHY 6.
“And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for (consistent with) repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:7-10
God not only looks on the heart – He inspects the fruit, the good fruit which can only come from a true, abiding relationship with Him (John 15:1-6). Even though the “O” word is forbidden and intention hidden by the lame modern church, OBEDIENCE is always found in the life of the abiding, Heaven-bound saint (Matthew 7:21; John 14:15; 15:14; James 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6; 5:3; Revelation 2:26, etc.).
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:19
TODAY IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE DAYS IN WHICH THE PROPHET HAGGAI SPOKE BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO KNOW HIM. GOD’S WORK LIES UNDONE TODAY DUE TO THE SELF-SERVING, SELF-ABSORBTION AND SELF-WORSHIP OF MANY OF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO KNOW HIM.
Haggai 1 is the record of God’s severe rebuke of His people who dwelled in their luxurious ceiled houses while His kingdom went un-built. Have you read that chapter lately?
Do we not see the same thing today? Those claiming to be saved and good church attenders will follow along with the church program as long as it doesn’t require change – true repentance – the laying down of their lives without reserve. But today the local churches (nearly all of them) are manned by spineless moral cowards who refuse to die to self themselves much less teach what Jesus taught about such being a condition for following Him (Luke 9:23-24).
“HOW MANY BOAST AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, YET NEVER GIVE NOR DENY THEMSELVES OF EVEN AN IOTA OF ANYTHING, AND REBEL AGAINST IT IN ALL GREED AND SELFISHNESS TO THIS DAY. THEY’D RATHER INVERT THE CROSS THAN BEAR ANY BURDEN TO CARRY IT.” KEITH HARGRAVE
Diminishing returns were coming to the people of God in Haggai’s day for neglecting building His house – doing the Great Commission. Check out this intriguing portion of Holy Scripture:
“Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. 10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.” Haggai 1:4-11
Has anything changed? No. – “There is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
ARE YOU WILLING TO TEST YOUR LIFE AS IT NOW IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SURPRISE LATER?
The root sins of Sodom were “pride, fulness of bread (earthly wealth), and abundance of idleness.”(Ezekiel 16:49-51) Doesn’t that sound like the Laodicean’s who had forfeited their place with God and were going to be spewed – sent to hell?
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (undone): 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:15-19
If Christ said they had to “repent” it is because they were in danger of hell fire. This command to repent clearly means that they were not ready to meet Him. Why not? Why did Jesus say they were going to be rejected (spued)? – “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.“ (Revelation 3:17)
IF in your mind you rate people by what they have or don’t have in this fleeting sinful world, you are deeply deceived and in utter need of repentance and the washing of water by the Word of God. You are carnal minded (Romans 8:5-6).
What about the once “rich man” who refused to render aid to Lazarus? See Luke 16:19-31.
What was Jesus Christ’s stated reason that the once rich man went to hell? WHY did God send Him to hell?
“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime (earthly) receivedst thy good things (he was rich before), and likewise Lazarus evil things (Lazarus was poor on earth): but NOW he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” Luke 16:26
If you deny that there is a direct correlation between the way we spend our money and our true spiritual state, you are denying Christ and calling the Son of God a liar.
The crux here is – Give now or burn forever. Yes, give your life now or it will soon be too late. If your life were given over to Christ (essential for salvation), your trinkets and treasures would be Christ’s and you would freely and generously give them to those individual believers in need and to the work of the Gospel. The reason you don’t freely give them now is that you are not given over to the LORD truly and therefore not ready to meet Him. You have not truly repented by the Bible definition and the greedy, hoarding, covetous fruit your life bears clearly testifies to such a lost state (Matthew 3:7-10).
“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:7
You must choose: Which life would you rather suffer in? – This one or the next (eternal one)? Is it time to pluck out the eye and cut off the hand of soul-damning covetousness, greed, hoarding, and self-worship? (Mark 9:43-49)
Who Are You Rich Toward? – God or Self?
“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
Those who don’t give to the work of Christ and the body of Christ in need do not do so because they are too busy serving the god they really serve – sinful self (Philippians 3:18-19).
— CONCERNING THE MODERN COUNTERFEIT WHO HAS ONLY A MERE “FORM OF GODLINESS”YET DENIES THE “POWER” OR AUTHORITY OF CHRIST TO REIGN OVER HIS INDIVIDUAL DAILY LIFE AND DECISIONS (2 TIMOTHY 3:5). ……—- THEIR FANCY COFFEES ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO THEM THAN IS CHRIST. DO SOME MATH: $3.50 X 30 DAYS PER MONTH = $105 PER MONTH AND THEY GIVE LESS THAN THAT TO CHRIST’S WORK. THEIR SPORT DRINKS, JUNK FOOD AND SOFT DRINKS, THEIR MUST-HAVE NEW APPLIANCES AND AUTOMOBILES, AND HOUSING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LOST SOULS JESUS BLED TO SAVE. DO THE MATH – $50-150 IN CABLE TV OR SATELLITE AND GOD’S WORK GETS A MERE TIP IF ANYTHING. YET THEY CLAIM TO KNOW HIM WHO SAID THAT HE CAME “TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.” (LUKE 19:10) MANY OTHER EXAMPLES CAN BE USED HERE. WASTE, WASTE, WASTE! WASTED LIFE AND WASTED SUBSTANCE. WITHOUT HESITATION, THESE DECEIVED SPRING FOR ENTERTAINMENT, UNNEEDED VEHICLES, CLOTHING, AND JUNK FOOD. THEY SPEND MORE MONEY ON PET FOOD THAN ON CHRIST WHO GAVE THEM THAT MONEY (1 CHRONICLES 29:14; JAMES 1:17). WITHOUT INVITATION THEY IMPULSE BUY WITHOUT HESITATION. THEY SEE THE BAG OF CHIPS AND HEALTH-DESTROYING SOFT DRINKS AND GRAB THEM. THERE’S NO HESITATION AND YET, WHEN THEY ARE PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE TO THE ONLY ETERNAL WORK IN THE EARTH – THE WORK OF THE ONE THEY CLAIM TO BE SERVING – THEY SPURN THAT PRIVILEGE. YET, AS THEY WATCH DIVINELY CALLED OUT GOSPEL WORKER STRUGGLING TO EXIST, THEY SCOFF AT AND ACCUSE THOSE FEW LABORERS OF JUST BEING “IN IT FOR THE MONEY.”
“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
If our treasure is in the things of Christ, it’s because that’s where our hearts are – and vice versa.
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?
God addresses rich Christians, instructing them to be generous, and yet He makes it clear that no disciple of Christ should desire to be rich or pursue the riches of this fleeting world. He warns that great peril and the danger of eternal damnation lie in such a trap. Read 1 Timothy 6:3-17. | Riches
The LORD gives instruction to the rich Christian men in (1 Timothy 6:17-20).
Alan B. notes:
“God never said being rich was a sin what He did say was The Love Of Money was the sin. It is not how much you have it is what you do with it. Are you using it for God”s purpose or your own? When we use it for the purpose of God’s needs and his sheep you are using what you have for His purpose. KJV Acts 20:35 – I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Matthew 25:40 says ‘And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'”
Eternal hell awaits the wicked who like the “certain rich man.” Why? Well he previously had the opportunity to help righteous and poor Lazarus and yet refused. There was no do over. He got no second chance but rather went straight to hell the instant he died (Luke 16:19-31). He has a person right under his nose to help as many of us do today. He chose to be rich unto himself and not “rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21)
Someone might be thinking “You mean I’m going to hell if I don’t give? How dare you insinuate such!”
Please allow me to correct you so there’s no misunderstanding: Not only am I insinuating it, I am telling you that you are absolutely bound for hell if you have not given your life to Christ. If your life was given over to Christ, the fruit of your life would clearly reflect a God-fearing stewardship of your time and talents. You’d already be giving to His work and to those in need.
At this point, your temporary treasures are being spent on yourself – the god you really serve. – “For where your treasure is, THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Remember that like the once rich man in Luke 16 who died and went to hell, in the end not one soul will be afforded the opportunity to do a redo – to give their way out of hell.
In Luke 16 Jesus told us the story of a “certain rich man” in order to warn us before we follow that man’s wicked ways and go where he went.
That now eternally tormented, previously rich man, would do anything to go back and give his life and treasures to Christ but it’s too late. His destiny is signed, sealed, delivered. He even begged to have someone go preach God’s Word to his five brothers so they wouldn’t come to that horrible place of fiery incarceration. His window of grace is gone but ours isn’t.
Just what earthly possession, treasure, or money is worth going to eternal damnation over?
The way we are currently stewarding the monies in our possession is a direct reflection of the true priorities of our heart.
Concerning those who have rejected the Messiah for the god of mammon, one sister in Christ notes:
“They worship Mammon, a very real demon who seduces them through their flesh, sad!” Angela A.
Warning and Description of the American “Christian”
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.” Luke 6:20-25
After reading these words from Jesus, should Christians be living lives of lavishness or minimalism in this fleeting life?
Are we here to be entrenched in this worlds goods or to spread the Good News of Jesus and to teach His Word to all men (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). As those He has found and saved and made new creatures in Christ, whose “ambassadors” are we to be? (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) If we are Christ’s “ambassadors,” why would we gather things to ourselves in this sinful fallen world when He Himself did no such thing while He walked this earth?
In God’s kingdom there are goers and senders. If your primary calling from God is to work and make money, that means you are a sender of the “few” “labourers” Jesus told us to pray for God to send out (Matthew 9:35-39). That’s why you have a job or a business –“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, THAT he may have to give to him that needeth.”(Ephesians 4:28) That is, that he may have money to give to needy Christians and to Christ’s work which is always in need of support.
He has sent out into the “plenteous” “harvest” a “few” “labourers.” (Matthew 9:35-39) Are you personally supporting Jesus’ “labourers”? No, the question is not “Are you giving to your local church because they convinced you that they are the storehouse?” Most of your money given there is a waste and actually helps the wolves who run those church businesses. You are fueling the devil’s agents in most cases by doing so (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 2 John 7-11). How do we know they are wolves? Simple: They are not fulfilling Christ’s New Testament edict and purpose to preach the Gospel to the lost and teach all men God’s Word – in other words, get them into God’s Word for themselves, daily (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; 1 Timothy 4:6, 16, etc.).
WE SHOULD STOP FUNDING THE WOLVES WHO ARE CHRIST’S ENEMIES AND USE THEIR POSITION AND PLATFORM AND PERSONALITIES TO BRAND THEIR OWN MINISTRY BUSINESS. HAS ANYONE EVER BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MARKETING TERM “BRANDING”? IT’S WHERE A COMPANY CREATES A NAME, LOGO, AND SLOGAN THAT IT BRANDS (BURNS) INTO THE MINDS, THE PSYCHE OF THE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO PATRONIZE THEIR BUSINESS.
YEAH, YOU SEE, THEY REFUSE TO USE THE MONIES GIVEN INTO THEIR COFFERS TO SIMPLY PUT FORTH CHRIST’S KINGDOM WORD AND TO PREACH CHRIST ALONE LIKE THE EARLY CHURCH DID (ACTS 5:42). INSTEAD THEY HAVE TO PUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL NAME OR MINISTRY’S NAME ON IT IN ORDER TO GET GLORY FOR AND TO THEMSELVES! RED FLAG! READ PSALMS 74 AND SEE HOW THEY HAVE CAST DOWN CHRIST’S NAME AND ENTHRONED THEIR OWN NAME/“ENSIGNS”! NOTICE HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS AND MINISTRIES REFUSE TO RELEASE A PENNY OF THOSE MONIES TO ANYTHING THAT DOESN’T PROMOTE THEIR OWN CAUSE/NAME. WAKE UP AND STOP FUNDING CHRIST’S ENEMIES LEST YOU BE ETERNALLY JUDGED WITH THEM! (2 PETER 2:1-3)
Then, Satan’s children, who claim to be saved, will accuse Christ’s true servant of being in it for the money. If this wasn’t so foolish it would be a roll on the floor screaming hilarity! As a called-out servant, if I was in it for the money I wouldn’t be in it because there is no money!
YOU MUST SEE YOUR WORKING AND GIVING AS A VITAL MINISTRY TO THE LORD’S BLESSED KINGDOM. IT IS JUST AS EQUALLY VITAL AS THOSE WHO GO AND DO THE WORK. THEY CANNOT DO SUCH IF YOU DON’T DO YOUR PART.
It is YOUR privilege to give of what God gives you. You need to give in worship to the LORD more than those few good ministries need the money. Concerning the Philippians believers giving, Paul the apostle said “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17) You see, you have an “account” in Heaven and to refuse to give the opportunity to give would be to cheat God’s people about of riches in their eternal “account” where Jesus commanded us to lay up treasure! (Matthew 6:19-21)
WHO DO YOU THINK WINS WHEN CHRIST’S CALLED-OUT SERVANTS ARE LEFT STARVING AND CAN’T PAY BASIC BILLS? IS GOD GLORIFIED OR HAS SATAN TRIUMPHED TO DISTRACT AND INCAPACITATE ONE OF JESUS’ “LABOURERS”? THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS. WHOSE FAULT IS THAT? IT’S THE FAULT AND SIN OF THOSE WHO ARE BEING FED BY THAT MINISTRY.
We must not waste the monies God is putting in our hands on temporal comforts and trinkets. We must change our way of living and demonstrate that we are content to know Him and need no excessive stuff, things, trinkets to satisfy us. He is our satisfaction.
Nothing’s ever enough to American “Christians.” They are in big trouble spiritually and have no idea.
“WE LIVE IN A SMALL CARAVAN IN A CARAVAN PARK. WE DRIVE A VERY OLD CAR AND DO NOT OWN MUCH IF ANY FURNITURE. ARE WE HAPPY? YOU BET WE ARE.” MARIE J.
Ever notice how happy the African children are? Why? After all they have one toy to share between a whole village of children. Why are our electronic-inundated children so unhappy?
You must see your money as being a provision from God and a tool to further Christ’s Gospel by funding His workers.
WITHOUT YOUR MONEY FUELING THE GOSPEL WORKERS GOD HAS SHOWN YOU, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO WHAT HE HAS CALLED THEM OUT TO DO AND YOU WILL BE PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCH.
Your calling may be to work and that means you are earning money that is to be firstly given to “honour” of the One who gave you the ability to earn that money.
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Holy Father, please bless us to have the joy of giving once again, in Jesus’ precious Name, amen!
But someone must actually DO HIS work and it’s the LORD alone who calls them out. There are goers and senders (Romans 10:14-15). And those around those divinely called-out ones are to rejoice to be blessed to support them – because they are doing GOD’s work. In fact the Bible says we are to honor His servants “for their work’s sake.” Why? – Because it’s God’s work, not man’s.
“And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13
“Woe unto you that are rich!” (Luke 6:24)
ALL Americans are “rich” in God’s eyes. This is the richest country in world history. Woe be unto us! – if we refuse to be generous and continual in our giving.
“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
Those who have and are learning the joy of giving as Jesus taught, always rejoice to be able to give out of what He has given them and even long for more to be given them so they can give more to His work.
It has been perhaps rightly state that “Those who give the least complain the most.”
The SELF-preservationists complains with a contrary attitude toward those called out to minister. The self-serving, unrepentant church goer does not want his little personal party interrupted. So he figure that the Gospel worker should leave the post God put him on and go out and earn his own money – never realizing that if we are truly the LORD’s all we have is HIS and not ours (1 Chronicles 29:14). The counterfeit reasons that he’s too busy spending his money on self’s pleasure and status in this sinful world, and refuses to live a minimalistic lifestyle in order for Christ’s Gospel workers to be able to do His work in furthering His Gospel by winning lost souls and teaching them God’s Word. “You are inconveniencing me” he reasons in his mind. “You are taking away from my self serving creature comforts. God forbid that anything my depraved heart so desires be kept from me. When I see something I want, I just buy it or put it on credit. And I don’t appreciate people asking for money (for a ministry work).”
“ACTUALLY WHEN I USED TO BE ONE OF THOSE FANCY COFFEE DRINKERS THEY USED TO COST CLOSER TO FIVE DOLLARS PER CUP. I STILL DRINK COFFEE BUT AT HOME NOW.” MELANIE G.
Coffee is a blessing, from God it seems. Yet does having a nice hot cup of coffee in the morning have to cost $3-5 per cup per day? That’s a considerable amount of money per month. 30 days in a month x $4 is $120. Many who waste God’s money on such give far less to the work of Jesus. God is calling us to repent. This is pure rebellion.
Your money is not really yours – it’s God’s.
What are you doing with His money for which you shall give account?
“ALL things come of thee and of THINE own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
There are a myriad of ways “Christians” today waste God’s money. God forbid that they have to be humiliated by driving a 10 year old car. God forbid that the style of their dish washer or refrigerator is outdated. God forbid that they have to be deprived of any luxury item their little hearts desire!
I know of a ministry that was derailed due to a lack of about $300-400 per month. There was support but not quite enough which means that God was leading others to help support that ministry and yet they refused. They were too busy wasting God’s money in this sinful world – embellishing themselves with even more shoes, clothes, fancies accessories, expensive meals, etc. These refused to do their part in supporting Jesus’ work due to their waste on self and they will give account for those servants of Christ who cannot do what He called them to do due to their disobedience. Those greedy people who claim to know Christ and yet refused to lay down their lives in this sinful world will stand to give account for the souls that went to eternal damnation due to not being able to hear the Gospel through the LORD’s servants who had to leave their post.
These type people want to over spiritualize things when they are called to truly lay down their lives in this fleeting world. Yet, the same folk do not hesitate to call a number or do an internet search to buy some frivolous accessory that has no eternal value. God forbid that they be bothered with the opportunity to support Christ’s work.
They want to live in denial of the obvious fact that if those God-called Gospel workers aren’t being provided for (financially supported), they cannot do Christ’s work and that means souls will be hell due to their rebellion. In other words, they defend their right to live their lives on their own terms all the while deceiving themselves into thinking God will save them in the end.
As a kingdom disciple, you must see this as your part in fulfilling the Great Commission for which you shall give account before the Almighty on Judgment Day.
Covetousness is idolatry of self – the worship of self instead of the Savior. This is a soul-damning sin. See below:
“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
Of being minimalistic and appreciative, one sister notes:
“I learned that being with the Lord I have all I need. He has blessed me with all things. The most important thing to me – what I want most is to hear Him say – is ‘well done my good and faithful servant.’ With what He has given me I invest in his kingdom. So thankful for the life He has given me.” Lisa V.
You know as I read this sister’s words it occurs to me that we just push ourselves further from Christ and from knowing Him more intimately by crowding and cluttering our lives with more stuff. The Bible says that the LORD Jesus is our “exceeding great reward.”(Genesis 15:1) If we have Christ, we have all! If we truly have Christ reigning in our lives, we do not covet stuff but are rather content.
“Let your conversation (your way of life) 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
God is able!
QUESTION:
“Isn’t giving supposed to be from a cheerful giver out of what he personally purposes in his heart?”
REPLY:
Yes, and yet there is great jeopardy in not using what He gives us for His glory … the servant who buried/wasted his talent went to hell – “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell).” Matt 25:30 ….. Not giving, hoarding, clearly indicates/reveals where someone’s heart is and that they are serving mammon, not God and are therefore not saved. ….. this is the case with most who claim to be saved. They have not laid down their lives and this is obvious in that they have time, money, energy, and all the wherewithal to go lusting after this world’s trinkets and spend all they have to get them …. and yet do not find it in their unrepentant hearts to lay down their lives and give. They are lost while thinking they are saved. Laodicea. This is not small matter. It reveals they are lost and as sure for eternal damnation as if they were already there. We cannot factor our Christ’s clear teachings due to Paul’s….. perhaps the way to reconcile this paradox (seeming contradiction) is to observe the audience each is speaking to. 2 Cor. 9 is written to the church at Corinth where true believers where being addressed and incentivized to give and lay up treasure in Heaven. Jesus taught this also (Matthew 6:19-24). The Son of God also clearly taught that eternal hell awaited those who are not generous with what HE puts in their temporal possession. This is Jesus’ teaching. It seems severe because so few truly forsake their lives in this world. Yet this is exactly what Jesus taught and He clearly stated that eternal hell is the finality of this self-serving, lukewarm, disobedient, rebellious lifestyle. They must repent and when they truly do, all they have will be His …in their minds and distribution of it.
Jesus taught that the way we steward His resources that He puts in our hands is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Matt. 6:19-24).
Anyone not purposing to give at all into Christ’s eternal kingdom by helping the poor and funding His work, seems to reveal their lost, apostate (backslidden) state….. “Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits” Matt 7:16, 20
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.: 2 Timothy 4:2
Apostasy
“WHY Don’t Christian Authors Just Give Away Their Books?”
HINT: 1. It costs the ministry for each and every book from the publisher. 2. There is no money tree given to Gospel laborers. In fact, those who preached the LORD’s truth will be shunned, despised, attached, and shorted. 3. The outreach sends books to prisoners every month and that costs. 4. If you’re going to complain, you will be confronted with the request that YOU supply the ministry with the needed funds to operate on so that all the books can then be free. Get a clue!
FYI: The book format, is simply another communication medium, another way to reach more people, to get the Word of God out to the people for whom Jesus died…. a message from Scripture on each page, full of Holy Scripture, always bolded. The small amount that is brought into the ministry on books simply goes into dropping these books into prisons and to ministries. Along with King James Bibles. The ministry outreach is supported by individual saints of Christ who desire to see more people reached with God’s love and Word in this late hour. | Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” house
For the record, due to amazon charging us for each book, we do charge for books. By God’s grace, we also give many books away locally, nationally, and send them into prisons. In part, this is made possible when believers are blessed to pay for a ministry book (Acts 20:35). None of us here are independently wealthy and so cannot possibly afford to fund the whole operation. “Wisdom is justified of her children” (Luke 7:35). I’ve also come to the understanding that when people pay for something, including believers, they then value it and read it more (Matthew 6:21). Also, believers spend money in this world EVERY day on frivolous foolish waste, so they can certainly help the work of Christ. If they balk that everything’s not free, that’s their own heart issue. What I tell them is “Well, we’d be glad to give all the books away from now on. That would be great. In order to do that. we need you to personally write a check to fund that project. Here’s our mailing address. When should we expect to receive your offering?”
The opportunity, the privilege of supporting God’s work is the very gift of God to bless your heart to be nearer to Him and to lay up eternal treasure in Heaven with your name on it! (See Matthew 6:19-21.) Do not miss the blessing God ordained for you (Acts 20:35). Each of us has an “account” in Heaven (Philippians 4:17). What’s in yours?
When people pay for something, they value it as their hearts follow their giving. Read Christ’s words in Matt 6:21 closely. Thanks for listening friends.
The Scripture-rich ministry books are merely a medium of communication, a format whereby a message is conveyed, which is what a pulpit is, right? …. Just as is the podcasts and the website platform itself or merely mediums of exchange of a message. We lose money on the books each month because the books are sent to the incarcerated weekly, those who sit in darkness and need the light of God’s truth (though in the past we’ve sent Bibles, all prisoners have Bibles given them by the chaplains). When people purchase the books that’s what helps fund the sending forth of the Born Again book and others to those in prison. Trust me, this ministry never has or ever will have the problem of having too much funding 😉
If we’re going to stop preaching and teaching God’s Word via books, the book format, that means we must cease preaching His Word on the internet, social media platforms, from pulpits, and radio. Right? The medium of exchange isn’t what matters. What matters is the purity of the message. Daniel prophesied of this day of increased communication technology (Daniel 12:4).
At times we hear ministers boasting that they take no royalties for the books they’ve penned as if to pat themselves on the back. Yet, what they aren’t telling you is that they receive enough funding to do such and they live off of that along with being able to forego royalties from their book sales. Or, in rare cases, those ministers are independently wealthy. Either way, the compensation of Christ’s ministers is clearly biblical and allows for other members of His body to participate in this blessed opportunity and receive rewards both now and forever (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
Elders who labor in God’s Word which is sound doctrine, to feed His blessed flock, warn, and teach and equip them, are to be well compensated for this most infinitely important work Jesus prepared and called them out to do (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.). Those who are fed by a ministry are to participate by funding that ministry (Galatians 6:6).
Every so often we receive a fiery message rebuking us for having to charge for the Scripture-rich materials the ministry has produced to help feed, teach, and equip Christ’s body.
KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE
Money collections to do GOD’s work are not a sin but rather an opportunity for God’s people to crucify, to put off the sins of greed and covetousness and to lay up treasure in Heaven as He commanded (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 5:7-9). Also, to say that allowing people to support GOD’s work is wrong, is to declare Jesus to be a sinner because He had a treasurer which could only mean that people chose to support the work.
In Christ’s kingdom, what’s the most, the “MORE blessed” position, giving or receiving?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Perhaps we should ask the general question: Why don’t all Christian ministries just do everything for free? Answer: First off, only a very few ministries were begun by those who are financially independent. Many or most ministries are being operated by simply obedient, humble servants who are obeying Christ’s call for them to do His work.
Question to the Misguided Attackers: If you are so concerned about ministries being able to just give, give, give away everything for free then why don’t YOU write a check right now and give an offering to that particular ministry in question so they will be able to give everything away according to how much you give? Fair enough? Isn’t it time you became a part of the solution and not the problem … a contributor and not a detractor? … a giver and not a taker? …
Never be concerned about the LORD’s servants who are in need more than you are for the eternal souls who sit there and do nothing to support Christ’s servants and work. Those apostate souls are in great jeopardy of soul, make no mistake about that (Matthew 25:30; Luke 12:15-21; 16:19-31).
INTERESTING QUESTION RECEIVED:
“Hello Todd, I have a question for you and hope you will answer. I am not going to refer to anyone in particular but why would a preacher, teacher and that is a Christian sell their Books, especially when it is about the last days, etc? If a person wants folks to know, why would they sell? Thank you.”
REPLY:
Hello. Well, fair question. It’s real simple, one person (Christian, author, called out servant of Jesus) can’t possibly daily and endlessly study, write, collate, order, edit, publish, prepare and teach God’s Word, win and disciple souls, bring food and clothes to the poor, etc., and then work 8-10 hours per day and be expected to foot the bill ….. would he have time to sleep? Does God expect him to do such or has He set up a perfect plan for all His people to participate in and be rewarded for? Are you personally participating in that plan?
You are correct friend…. it is the last days and this is the reason even more so that all of God’s people must be about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission His only begotten Son gave us – to win souls and equip His blessed saints (Like 2:49).
For the record: The LORD be thanked for those few who do obediently support the His work in this late hour. This humble ministry has given away dozens upon dozens of books over the last 3 years. That money/provision has to come from somewhere, right? Also, appr. 150 souls have been won to Christ and are being discipled. God is good!
The true Christian author of today (New Testament scribe Matthew 13:52) is simply a divinely called out servant of Jesus Christ, a minister of His love and truth. That servant simply uses the book format to communicate to Christ’s saints and perhaps also lost souls.
As a called out servant, I would love to give the books our ministry has away for free. All we’d need is for you or someone else to make a substantial donation in order to underwrite the cost of doing ministry.
Now, I agree that giving everything away would be great and preferred. So, if anyone wishes to endow this ministry work or any other New Testament (Great Commission) ministry with a ample donation, please do. And, you are welcome to request that we begin to give away all the materials by using that money for such. That would be fair but until then, we will inch along.
Most people understandably do not understand how this all works and so it’s a blessing that this question has come in. In fact, we have gotten this same type question in the past. As a Christian author, let me say that the ministry has to pay for each book that is ordered. There’s not much profit per book and yet the profit goes to support so that we can “stay afloat” per se and be afforded the opportunity to continue doing Christ’s work. Some of us are homeless if that helps.
QUESTION:
“But doesn’t the Bible say to ‘Buy the truth and sell it not’? (Proverbs 23:23)”
REPLY:
Yes “Buy the truth and sell it not” is referring to obtaining, procuring, grabbing the truth and believing and owning it. That truth is not speaking of paying money for something.
People in ministry do not have a money tree. In fact, if a person is endeavoring to tell the whole counsel truth of God’s Word, they will most likely desperately need your support because not many will support because not many want the whole truth (2 Timothy 4:2-4). They only have what people give in most cases…..that’s the point…. being in true New Testament, Great Commission ministry is not at all to make money but rather to be able to pay for what was already paid for by the ministry and be able to get more Gospel communications done. People in the full time ministry usually have no money because they’ve abandoned themselves to the work of Christ, in obedience to His calling them out, and have little or no income. So for the called out minister to have to have all the money and do all the work is a ridiculous notion, No, in fact, their lack is the gift of God presented as an opportunity to those who know of that outreach….. so they also can participate. Problem is, most people have signed up for and waste most of the money God has allowed them to bring in and will give account before Him. If you read Luke 16:19-31 and Matthew 25:30 you will see that divine judgment will be severe upon those who do not use the LORD’s resources for His glory, that is, a portion of it. What happened to the man who buried – did not use – the resources the LORD gave him? (Matthew 25:30) This is why first portion/fruit giving is such a blessed opportunity. Prov. 3:9-10
OKAY, AS IS THE SUBJECT MATTER HERE, SOME ASK THIS QUESTION: “WHY CAN’T CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES AND AUTHORS JUST GIVE THEIR MATERIALS AWAY?”
My question in return is: Did you ask the managers at the movie theater why they didn’t offer their movies and snacks for free? If not why not? WHY do some believe, of all entities, that ministries should give everything away? How about the grocery store: Do these same people ask the store they shop at for food why they don’t give their food away free? If not, why not?
More questions …. WHY is it that some only expect the ministries of Christ to give away their materials? Where is this coming from? What spirit is behind this? WHY do some find no hesitation or problem with whoring out their wallet/money/checkbook to every peddler of temporal wares who comes along and yet balk when they see a Great Commission ministry that intends to take in a little money for the purpose of winning and discipling souls in obedience to Christ? And, this involves endless hours of labor?
If a person is going to ask the question as to why Christian authors don’t just give away for free all their materials, why wouldn’t that same person be asking why others aren’t giving away all their materials?
What do you do for a living? Do you work for free? Does the company you work for or own give everything away? Is that company and its product and service even considered important in contrast to the winning and care of eternal souls in Christ’s work of the Gospel?
I would ask those who have such a diabolical perspective: “Do you get some kind of sadistic thrill out of seeing God’s servants suffer?”
SAINTS, THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE, RIGHT? IF GOD’S PEOPLE GAVE AS THEY ARE COMMANDED TO DO AND WILL GIVE ACCOUNT FOR, DO YOU BELIEVE ANY GOOD NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY IN THIS LATE HOUR WOULD HAVE LACK? WHOSE FAULT IS THE LACK? IS IT THE WATCHMEN OR THE PEOPLE WHO STAND BACK AND SAY “AMEN” WITHOUT PRACTICALLY SUPPORTING THAT NEW TESTAMENT WORK?
ANOTHER MESSAGE RECEIVED ON THIS SUBJECT:
“AMEN………..I know some excellent men of GOD who sell their books, but I also know that some of those men have offered those books free to those who could not afford it because they wanted to reach, preach and teach and it’s not about the money for them. My husband and I have no problem buying these books, it is a wise investment for us.
As far as wasting a lot of money eating out, well thankfully I cook better than most restaurants (everyone has gifting’s……praise the LORD this happens to be mine, hubby calls it the gift of hospitality too). We rarely watch anything because we don’t have cable, I dislike concerts or anything secular……the obvious thing is to invest in our spiritual growth and I truly trust the LORD to lead us to what we need to know. Give me a godly book, my morning coffee on my patio or sitting quietly in my room any day…….the rewards are endless in such a simple thing…….Praise the LORD. Pastor Randy spoke highly of one of your books …….ummmm Predators in Our Pulpits I believe or something like that.”
REPLY:
The apostle Paul clearly and outrightly makes the case for those who are called out to do the infinitely most important work in the earth to be support. Anyone who has a problem with that has greed and gold as their god and are in rebellion against the Almighty.
We must look from a much larger perspective than our own self-serving position or need or especially in respect to the many charlatans which reap millions of $ and buy mansions and expensive cars and church buildings, etc. There’s a world to be reached and the monies received from those who buy the books/materials help fund the GREAT COMMISSION Jesus sent us to accomplish. And yes those who contribute in ANY way are going to be rewarded eternally by Him (John 4:36; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
The monies received from those who buy the books/materials:
1) Support the minister (s) and ministries so they can pay basic bills and stay afloat (or try to) and KEEP DOING GOD’S WORK. Let’s get a clue saints.
2) That ministry/author/minister can give away books and materials for free to those who can’t afford the materials/books.
Those paying for those materials are contributing to the LORD’s MINISTRY WORK. If they don’t want to pay for it, then they have the choice to not buy the materials. Yet, those same people, perhaps, waste money on the god of self, entertaining and pampering that false god. Yet those self-righteous hypocrites balk to “pay” for a book that elevates Jesus Christ, the One they falsely claim to serve. Yet they don’t think twice to buy desert, expensive meals out, and many other things that have no eternal value. Utterly hypocritical.
For sure Laurellynne. Thank you for your reply. A disciple of Jesus who has labored in God’s Word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17-18) is worthy of double honor which means financial reward. That’s God’s Word (Galatians 6:6). So, for someone to pay 15.00 – 20.00 for a book that has taken that man many years or decades to produce is a very small price. Also, they can pass it along to help others. Now, the average Christian who drinks coffee spends 15.00 – 20.00 per week (or more) on coffee which has no godly or eternal value.
There’s nothing sinful about going to a restaurant or buying coffee, etc. Yet, we must examine ourselves if we have money to throw here and there and are tipping God or not giving to His work at all. That’s indicative of the lack of Jesus as first love (Revelation 2:4-5). My concern is for Christ’s flock and that they repent and obey Him in their stewardship for which He will bring them into account on that Day. See Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25. I could care less if some who are misguided take offense.
We should never abandon the truth because some have perverted it. For example: Some false shepherds have abused the sheep by teaching them false doctrine and leading them to do things for their own self-serving purposes (that of the wolves). This in no way removes the responsibility of the true under shepherds to rightly shepherd Christ’s sheep (1 Peter 5:1-6). In the same way, just because greedy wolves have made merchandise of the people (taken money to build their own kingdoms instead of Christ’s) in no way negates the LORD’s program and privilege to involve all of His people in His work. It is the privilege of the individual believer to contribute to Christ’s work. The Bible even tells us that “the LORD loveth a cheerful (hilarious) giver” and He even incentivizes us in that those who sow much will reap much (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).”
Money Tree?
Do you have a money tree? If so, please mail one here or at least the seed to grow one to the true New Testament ministries you know of.
The money has to come from somewhere and that’s exactly why God, from the beginning, set up a program where His people are privileged to give back to Him/His work out of which He has given them and then on top of all that, He is going to reward them here and in eternity. Study stewardship in Scripture and the Levites. Begin in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Those whom God Himself has called out to do the infinitely most important and only eternally substantial work in the earth are “worthy of their hire” which means they are worthy to be paid for what they do (1 Corinthians 9, etc.). When Jesus sent forth His disciples to do His work, He said “… for the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). In fact, in the days of the prophets, God’s people had forsaken Him and spent their resources building their own “ceiled houses” and “temples” (Haggai 1; Hosea 8:14). Read Malachi 3 also. The LORD was very angered and brought judgment on them. We see the same today. People who claim to be following Christ who spend the vast percentage of their monies on frivolous waste for their own self-serving entertainment and temporal comfort and give little or nothing to Christ’s work. This is a betrayal of the LORD who gave them the ability to earn that money and the opportunity to be a good steward over it (Matthew 25 – parable of the talents). Just think: If a small percentage of those claiming to be lovers of the truth and following Christ would give a certain percentage of the “firstfruits” of all they earn into God’s work (Proverbs 3:9-10) … then those ministries Jesus has called out could actually function, pay their bills, and perhaps give materials away.
STEP BACK AND CONSIDER THAT PERHAPS IT’S NOT THOSE CALLED OUT WHO ARE IN SIN, IT’S THOSE WHO ARE BEING FED BY THEM AND STANDING ON THE SIDELINES DOING NOTHING (NOT GIVING) WHO ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE SPIRITUALLY. I’M TALKING ABOUT THE OBEDIENT, HUMBLE WATCHMEN WHO HAVE AND ARE ANSWERING THE CALL OF GOD TO TEACH, WARN, AND PREACH TO HIS FLOCK (COLOSSIANS 1:28: ACTS 20:27-32; 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16, ETC.). PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE FEW WHO SUPPORT THE GREAT COMMISSION WORKERS IN THIS LAST HOUR BEFORE CHRIST’S SOON RETURN.
Reader, do you work for free?
Do you get paid for your work so that you can pay your monthly living expenses?
How long would you continue doing the work you do if you no longer were paid for it?
To that person who still has a problem with men of God being compensated, I would ask: Have you also complained that attorneys, plumbers, accountants, waitresses, and cooks also get paid for what they do?
Why is it that those doing the most important work in the earth are questioned over getting paid by the freely given love offerings of God’s people? Why is it wrong in the minds of some that those answering the divine call to serve can actually pay their bills? Paul had this same railing accusation and question and gave answer to it in 1 Corinthians 9:1-4. Go read that. Some reading this need to de-ignorantize themselves with this knowledge 😉
You see, it’s usually not the Christian author or minister’s fault that he can’t just give away books or materials. No, it’s usually the fact that he can’t survive much less thrive in the LORD’s ministry work due to the refusal of so many to give to Christ’s work. Does this include you? Are you giving regularly to the work of Jesus’ Great Commission? So many will read, learn, be convicted and rebuked by, be equipped for ministry, be sharpened and spiritually nourished yet have no heart or energy to give. Yet these very same people can perhaps be found wasting money on expensive daily coffees and many other frivolous wasteful spending. Example: $3.50 coffee per day x 30 days in a month = $105. They have monies to throw out and to commit to earthly things and yet haven’t committed to Christ by signing up to give a monthly gift to His work. Many who claim Christ as LORD won’t give $10 or $20 per month to Jesus’ Great Commission work. Where is their heart? Jesus tells us exactly where their heart is when He says: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Those who support the Great Commission of Jesus are few and yet so very important! Thank God for them!
Be sure of this: No true ministry work of Christ has the problem of having too much money. Regrettably those few who are truly doing His Great Commission work are starving … and won’t tell you. Don’t ask them. Don’t wonder. Just obey God and give to their work. They have to pay their bills too friend! What we do to them we are doing to JESUS (Matthew 25:40-46, etc.). May God give us a clue today in Jesus’ Name!
To those who don’t give or give a mere tip to God out of that which He has allowed them to bring in, the LORD would say …… “Consider your ways” (Read Haggai 1). If you repent and choose to begin giving, the LORD may just fill your barns so you can give more to His work. One man once wisely stated that “If God can get it through you, He will get more to you.” Consider Your Ways Audio Message
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Recap: You see, today, the divinely called out pastoral watchmen are starving. They can’t pay their bills due to 1) people claiming to be serving Jesus who do not repent and begin to steward the resources He puts in their hands His way, and 2) many give to false ministries. So, the called out disciple, called to not entangle himself with the affairs of this life can’t pay his bills – because God’s people (or those claiming such) are not giving to His work. So, the Gospel worker is left to do God’s work (never ending lines of people to be served) and also somehow come up with the money to pay his bills. This is not God’s program. Those who know true Gospel workers who are doing the Great Commission Jesus gave us and equipping the saints to do the same (Ephesians 4:11-12) are to give to those ministries. It’s sickening how people can throw money at renting movies, sun tanning, vacations, buying more clothes and shoes they don’t need, getting their hair and nails done, etc., and yet give nothing to the LORD’s work … you know, the nail scarred, risen Savior they claim to love ….
The LORD doesn’t give His called out servants a money tree…..they cannot get away from the divine calling and yet subject to the disobedience, the crass and ruthless omissions of His people who are rejecting HIM in their hearts …. if they were truly worshipping Him, there would be a cheerful giving back to Him of what He gives them – “ALL things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chron. 29:14). People have no idea the fate, the sufferings that have happened due to the lack suffered by answering God’s call. Ministry is a body operation where each member of Christ’s body does their part. The ministry here has a certain lady who faithfully gives and she thinks she is doing nothing and yet, she has no clue as to how that we have no money to put gas in the vehicle, to buy Bibles and Gospel tracts and food for the hurting unless she gives. She has no clue as to how much her part plays. I’ve laughingly considered getting a cheap body cam lately so she can get a glimpse of those being saved and saints being equipped and the hungry being fed, etc.
I’ve got a book coming out LORD willing that will touch on what happens when people don’t give ….. it’s a personal testimony and hopefully will wake a few up so they give to those who are literally doing the Great Commission….. instead of building their own church business, sitting in a stupid building, wasting tens of thousands of dollars (in many cases monthly) heating and cooling a building ….. no, Jesus, the apostles and today’s true, divinely equipped and called out workers go to the people instead of expecting people to come to them. Jesus left Heaven and came to us. He never told us to come to Heaven to Him. Such would be impossible. Think about this: We are to “Go” as He told us and to do as He did for us – serve the lost.
WATCHMEN ARE PEOPLE TOO AND THEY NEED MONEY TO PAY THEIR BILLS LIKE ANYONE ELSE. REGRETTABLY, IT SEEMS THAT SOME PEOPLE WANT THE LORD’S WATCHMEN PUNISHED ALL BECAUSE THEY ARE ANSWERING THE CALL OF GOD TO MINISTER HIS WORD. THINK ABOUT IT. WHAT SPIRIT IS BEHIND SUCH? THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO REPENT AND BEGIN DOING THEIR PART. THERE ARE SENDERS AND GOERS (ROMANS 10:14-15).
Jesus told us that unfaithful stewards go to eternal damnation (Matthew 25:30, 41, etc.). There’s a “certain man” who was once rich (temporarily in this short life) who has been burning in conscious torment in the flames of hell for some 2,000 years. Go read Luke 16:19-31 and find out exactly why that man is irrevocably in hell and in a million years will still be in hell, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7).
Each individual is granted by God the opportunity to be as the priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaritan. We must ask ourselves: WHO AM I IN THIS PARABOLIC teaching of the One I claim to be serving? Am I the priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaritan? God bless us to humbly and honestly examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). The priest and Levite (religionists without Christ) walked right by the man who was in need, making excuse as to why they were “justified” in not helping him. In contrast, like Christ and His few true followers, the Good Samaritan stopped his life and used his resources to help the man who had been ravaged by the world. The Good Samaritan asked no questions but rather simply jumped to the aid of the man in need. THAT man was JESUS – “Inasmuch as ye HAVE DONE IT unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
The priest and the Levite walked right by JESUS when they refused to render aid: “Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Mathew 25:45-46).
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30
This week, a guy that the LORD saved a few months ago and is being discipled, called me. He needed a little money. Well, regrettably there’s not much in the coffer. We still gave it to him and yet, hundreds of dollars in bills have stacked up. The ministry is months behind on bills and this is not due to poor stewardship but rather due to the lack of funds. Anyone who gives is not doing God (or this ministry or myself) a favor. No, they are doing themselves a favor (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:9-10, etc.).
If you are reading this message and claim to be seeking the perfect will of God, I want to exhort you to get before God and to repent of all bad stewardship, including endorsing and furthering the cause of hireling thieves who are building their own church business and using Christ’s name in vain to do so (2 John 7:1-11). Get your slate cleaned afresh saint (1 John 1:3-2:2). Then, find a true called out ministry and give. A ministry work that is glorifying God isn’t wasting HIS money on buildings and the upkeep of them. No, instead that ministry work is actually and literally doing the Great Commission Jesus irrevocably gave us (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47, etc.). In doing this alone, you will begin to be participating in HIS work. Stop giving HIS money to the wolves who do nothing more than entertain the unrepentant goats.
Regrettably, every worker on this planet gets paid for his work except those who do the infinitely most important work of leading eternal souls out of sin and eternal hell and into glory forevermore. Are you a part of the problem or the solution?
Go ahead and take your anger out on me. I don’t mind. You are actually in rebellion to the LORD Himself because He commands you to “give.” What He’s calling you to do is to truly repent before it’s too late. Your heart is out of His will if these truths convict you and the only wise response is to repent and change your ways. Attacking His messenger will not change your life or destiny.
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FEEDBACK:
“Well said with regard to the giving away of ministerial books for free. I think there’s another question that should be raised. Why are the authors who publish books that tickle the ears of God’s people by telling them what they prefer to hear about laying up treasures on earth being bought in the millions to become best sellers without questioning their cost of sale while those who are publishing truth of scripture that focuses on laying up treasures in heaven through warnings, corrections, and instructions in righteousness go begging and their authors are questioned about covering their costs of sale? Could it be that the vast majority of God’s people haven’t set their affections on things above but on things of this earth?
Those whose affections are set on the things of this earth, are focused on earthly pleasures, and laying up treasures on earth buy books which tell them what they want to hear regarding earthly pleasures and prosperity regardless the price because these books foster the carnal errors they hold dear which appeal to the lust of their flesh, the lust of their eye, and their pride of life. They don’t question the authors of these books regarding the prices they charge since these books readily support those things they want to hear. People are willing to pay the price for that which they value most.
If God’s people really had their affections set on things above and valued their eternal destination in heaven above a temporal 70+ year life span here on earth they would be more than willing to pay the price of a book which publishes the truth knowing that there’s nothing they have or will accumulate on earth that they can take with them into eternity where the treasures they have laid up in heaven will be the only assets they will enjoy on a forever basis. If God’s people had singleness of eye and would set their affections exclusively on things above and regard godliness with contentment as great gain rather than being in a lukewarm state by trying to serve both God and mammon, they could save more than enough money to buy the necessary books that will help them to lay up treasures in heaven and the question of cost would become moot.” Paul Roberts
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“But I Can’t Understand the King James Bible” [podcast]
YOU MUST know the Author of the Bible to understand it. Friend, if you are not 100 certain you are born again and going to Heaven if you die today, it’s 100% certain that you are not born again. Making Peace with God
Someone wrote:
“I’ve tried to read the Bible, but I can’t understand it.
The Scriptures tell us that the ‘natural man’ cannon understand the things of the Spirit of God. Most Americans would find it difficult to understand the Chinese language. However a child who is born into a Chinese family can understand every word. That’s why you must be born again with God’s Spirit living within you (John 3:3). The moment you become part of God’s family, the Bible will begin to make sense.” unknown
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Psalms 12:6-7
WHY would God have gone through the trouble of keeping His own promise to have His Word translated into our language if we weren’t going to be able to understand it in our own language? THAT is an indictment against the Almighty and some are foolishly making such an indictment.
“Wow I was raised in the lowest education state in the country with average grades at best and can easily understand the King James Bible…. that’s all my son heard from inception was the King James Bible and he repented and received Christ at just 4 1/2 years old. Regularly I hear college ‘educated’ people claim they can’t understand God’s Word – the King James Bible. What??!!!! Time to repent and get the devil out of your life! (James 4:7)” Todd Tomasella
Please stop with the lame “I can’t understand the King James Bible” excuse.
N o n s e n s e !
Have you considered how it sounds when you claim you can’t understand God’s Word?
“I read my 9 year old a little of the King James most nights before bed. Kids may not understand everything it says but their spirits are being fed nonetheless!” Lori Anne
REPLY:
EXACTLY. My son, was only read the KJB and asked to be saved at 4 1/2. The LORD saved him, right then and there.
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and He uses His Word to do so (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27).
The devil fed you that excuse – that you can’t understand God’s Word – through his seminarian wolves – his greed-driven, ease-loving false prophets. They facilitate this lie by selling you on corrupted “bibles.” Are you older than a babe? Listen:
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and HAST REVEALED THEM UNTO BABES.” Matthew 11:25
Isn’t it time to get a real Bible? Isn’t it time to exchange the plastic butter knife for the Sword of God’s Word! Without exception, all new versions are satanic corruptions. Satan is the doubt-caster, the liar from the beginning who changes God’s Word (Genesis 2:17; 3:1, 4; John 8:44).
So, even after seeing how the enemy of Christ has removed thousands of words and verses from God’s Word, some STILL keep reading a new perversion as if this blasphemous satanic attack is okay? Wow!
So is YOUR own self-serving “comfort” of reading a little fairy tale per-version of the Bible more important than Jesus Christ being attacked by Satan in the butchering of HIS Word? If so, it’s time for you to repent for real and when you do, you will lay down your life – the cross.
Content!
“I’m Afrikaans speaking, English is my second language in which i evangelize mostly. It was hard to learn an older English style in the King James Bible, but I wouldn’t change it for anything! The English of the King James Bible slams into one’s heart, harder, as a precious treasure!” Erik Van Niekerk
Natural and Spirit Food
As the creation of God, we don’t understand much of what happens when we eat physical food and yet to nourish our bodies. We don’t question it. No, we just eat food in order to satisfy our hunger and to nourish our bodies, right?
That’s how it is with God’s Word. Though our understanding is minimal, we, as Jesus’ born again saints, hunger for more of Him and know we must be filled daily with His divine nutrients. So, we ingest His Word to nourish our hearts!
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:2-3
COMMON EXCUSE:
“But I have a hard time understanding the King James Bible.”
REPLY:
Understand and yet do we want to read a perverted fake “bible” that is NOT the Word of our God? Can the Holy Ghost not teach us His pure Word which HE gave, breathed? My son heard nothing but the KJB from birth and was saved and 4 years old. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 …. godless perverts have added to and taken away from the words of the very LORD who came and died for us. How does He feel about us pretending that that is actually His Word? If a man is courting a lady and he reads and honors the words of her (his girlfriends) enemy, how would that make her feel?
Read Revelation 22:18-19 KJB
Can you understand the following words of Jesus? – a severe warning to anyone who would dare add to or take away from His Word?
“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: 19 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.” Revelation 22:18-19
Repent!
Those who truly repent understand the Word by studying it and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; 1 John 2:20, 27, etc.).
Rupert Herdsman notes: “The King James Bible is the only English Bible not corrupted!!! I had five other versions of the bible but all of them with the exception of the King James are corrupted and missing key scriptures!”
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE KJB? | Bible Version Issue | Bible Versions
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Walking in Godly Integrity Means Paying Restitution Where Needed [podcast]
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16
Truth: The LORD is watching everything you think and do and will bring you into judgment for it all – all (Proverbs 15:3; 20:11; 23:7; Mark 12:41-44; Romans 14:10, etc.). What’s your judgment going to look like?
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Jesus taught that only the “honest” will be with Him (Luke 8:15). The dishonest, “ALL … liars” will perish irrevocably in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). Those who’ve brought harm to others and have the opportunity to restore what they took (financially, emotionally, etc.) prove who they are by what they do or do not do. Those who take personal responsibility for the harm they brought on another, will be blessed. Those who don’t will be shut out, “cut off” from God (Romans 11:20-22).
“Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” 2 Corinthians 6:3-4
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Godly Integrity owns up to its personal responsibility to make amends where we have caused hurt. Restitution. A man of godly integrity never runs from his personal responsibility to repair and restore where he has brought harm – with his words, attitudes, or actions. This is exactly what happens when a man truly repents and gives his life to Christ. Zacchaeus is a great example to us of this. Like Zacchaeus, when we truly repent, there will always be good fruit, amends for our wrongdoing. Watch this closely. Watch what this man does after getting right with God:
Luke 19
1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 (the call and command) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 (obedience) And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (that’s exactly why Jesus came!)
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. (true repentance always brings for the fruit of restitution Matthew 3:7-10)
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
As we see in this case with Zacchaeus when he repented, turning to Jesus the Savior, true repentance always brings for the fruit of restitution. See Matthew 3:7-10.
Zacchaeus is a great example. When, if that true repentance happens in his heart, if the sinner, the transgressor allows it, there will be a practical restitution to those he’s harmed by his sin. Soon as he repented he wanted to pay restitution to those he’d harmed.
“Verse 8 is one of the strongest in the Bible on restitution. Salvation does not relieve a person from righting the wrongs of the past. Debts contracted during one’s unconverted days are not canceled by the new birth. And if money was stolen before salvation, then a true sense of the grace of God requires that this money be repaid after a person has become a child of God.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
There’s no such thing as a person who is right with God and not making restitution for those he’s hurt.
INTEGRITY: If you owe someone $1,000 and can’t pay it all at once, show integrity and send them $ every month or week till you’ve paid them off. If you don’t, you show yourself to be a man who is without integrity (Proverbs 20:7). Soon as you begin paying back, you demonstrate the earnest of your integrity.
Jesus teaches us that we are wasting our time attempting to relate to or pray to the Father in His name if we have issues that need to be clear up with another.
God will not answer the prayer of any person who does not honor and obey His Word and if a person has an outstanding offense He wants them to clear up these matters (Proverbs 28:9, 13).
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:23-24
God is not going to bless our lives unless we are willing to sincerely admit our sins, repent and confess them, and make amends (restitution) with anyone we’ve harmed. In the divine economy, there’s no such thing as being right with God when you’ve done another person wrong, haven’t repented, and haven’t made amends for what you’ve done. Such a person will be outside of the will and blessings of God until he makes things right with God and man.
The LORD requires that His people “examine” and “judge” themselves.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine and honest judge yourself and amend your ways or God will judge you.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
More Bible Verses on Restitution
Read Exodus 22:1-31
“If a thief be found breaking up (stealing in a burglary, home invasion), and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” Exodus 22:2-3
“Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty; 7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.” Numbers 5:6-7
“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:5-6
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