First Off, Let’s Get Something Straight!

“For all things are yours.” 1 Corinthians 3:21 

You are Already Infinitely Rich in Christ and God Wants You to Know It – Now in this world, and forevermore!

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7

The LORD does not forbid His children to be rich in this world and yet, He promises to damn those who covet worldly riches and any rich person who is not generous in giving.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 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

If you have money tied up in the bank, in any account or possession that could be used to help God’s people and work, He’s going to hold your eternal soul accountable for it and Hell awaits! (Luke 12, 16; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; James 5:1-6)

YOU CALL HIM “PASTOR” AND THE WOLF ISN’T PREACHING HELL? RUN!!!

INSTEAD of prayerfully, obediently looking where to support Christ’s Gospel work, the counterfeit looks to further embellish his flesh, his own reputation, and entrench himself in this fleeting world – Read Luke 12:15-21. Such a person has not truly repented.

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

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

Jesus directly connected, tied together stewardship with eternal destiny (Luke 12, 16).

JESUS plainly taught that the way you are treating others in your stewardship reveals exactly how you are treating Jesus and exactly where you will spend eternity (Matthew 25:40-41, 46). Judgment Day! Are you going to run from His truth and thereby sprint into eternal damnation? Or, are you going to stop your life, get before God in true repentance, crying out for Him to break you before it’s too late? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6). Riches

People could care less that the work of the God they claim to know is being done! Most who claim to be saved care only for their own little trinkets in this fleeting world. Their earthly treasures will perish with them (Luke 12, 16, etc.).

“Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places in Christ”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ … In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace … The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1:3, 7, 18; 2:7

— FEEL like you need to be rich in this sinful world in order to feel significant? Well, if you are God’s child, bought by His infinite riches of Christ’s precious blood, you are already richer than you can possibly imagine because you are owned by the One who owns all (Psalms 24:1; Ezekiel 18:4; Revelation 4:11). Read Ephesians to begin to discover the infinite riches of Christ.

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1

Now, read Psalms 49 and see the real score!

When He sent His only begotten Son to die for the sins of fallen man, God bankrupted Heaven to save you!

Today, are you appreciative of the saving mercy of the LORD?

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant.” Genesis 32:10

Many today are completely deceived into thinking that because Jesus paid the full price for their sins that they have a license to live outside of His perfect will (Matthew 7:21; Romans 6:1-2, 15; Hebrews 12:14-17; Revelation 2-3, etc.). Yet the New Testament teaches us that because Christ has come, we have no excuses and are more accountable under the New Covenant than were the people of God under the Old (Hebrews 10:26-39).

As Christ foretold, “many” today who claim to be saved by Christ have no fruit to prove such (Matthew 7:13-14). And fruit is always the evidence of a relationship and lack thereof is proof of the absence of that saving, abiding relationship (Matthew 3:7-10; John 15:1-6; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

Divine Promise

“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13

Those who do not use what’s temporarily in their possession in this life to help others, manifest that they do not know the LORD and are promised to cry for eternity in Hell and never be heard.

The once “rich man” who is now in Hell irrevocably, vainly imagined that his “future was secure” based on his fleeting temporal “wealth” in this passing world (Luke 16:19-31). Delusional. Anyone not born again and not presently abiding Christ, on His plainly stated terms (Bible), is as sure for the flames of eternal damnation as if he were already there – and there is no escape. Read Psalm 49.

The once “certain rich man,” now in hell irrevocably, was sent there due to what Christ said was his sin that he refused to cut off, pluck out, to rid his life of (Mark 9:42-49). He proved his disdain for the LORD as he fared sumptuously while crumbing a righteous man named Lazarus. Let’s take a look:

Luke 16:19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

“19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 

20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 

21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 

22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 

23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 

25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 

26  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 

27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 

28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 

29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 

30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 

31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 6:19-31

WHY did Jesus say that the once “rich man” went to Hell? Read Luke 16:19-31. His lack of charity in his earthly life clearly proved he was rich toward the false god of self and not “rich toward God.” The rich fool who laid up treasure for himself was not “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

There are so very many “rich” people today just like this once “rich man” who is now in Hell. They are religious but not saved and that’s proven in that they can pass by the beaten robbed man and ignore his need. But the Good Samaritan represents Christ and His true remnant (Luke 10:25-37).

Read Luke 16:19-31. Detailed description of contrast – between the eternal home of the righteous and the wicked and why they went where they went.

“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luke 16:25

Answers to this question from Christ’s Body:

“Callousness and a hardened heart toward the needs and miseries of others, represented in the person of Lazarus; the rich man showed not a crumb of mercy. It is one of many examples/warnings that show what luxury and pleasure seeking (hedonism) can do to the heart.” Victoria A.

“Because he was blatantly ignoring the poor sick beggar who was at his door with a few basic needs… this one was then given his share of heavenly bliss, and the ex-rich man was now utterly deprived of any comforts, but he was also made able to see the ex-poor sick guy enjoying the goodies he inherited from God, as a fair repayment for having been so heartless with the beggar: he basically REAPED what he had sown, as his hell was then to endure himself the cruel treatment he had made the beggar go through in a lifetime of opportunities…!” SBR

“Worldly riches come to nothing, it is riches gathered in Heaven which are worth lots…and God warns us against worldly wealth money wise…He wants us to be Spiritually Wealthy in His Kingdom because He is within us and we in Him…and through His Holy Spirit within us we are capable of far more than money can ever buy… for instance peace of mind….and while He is warning us He also says that there will be many who will hear but little who will listen and be obedient to endure the race He has set before us Amen.” Antoinette V.

Those in need around us are a test from God. Are you passing this test or are you squandering what He has given you on the worship of the god of self?

IT IS our privilege to use what God has given us to help those in need and to support HIS work …. and what we do with those resources indicates who we really are. Jesus says “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

—- ARE WE REAL? OR COUNTERFEIT? The Levite, the priest, and the Good Samaritan proved who they were by what they did and did not do when granted the opportunity to help the man who had been ravaged by the thieves of this world (Luke 10:25-37).

ARE YOU giving to the LORD out of that which HE alone allows you to bring in OR are you spending all on the god of self? Do you know and obey the Word of God given us in Proverbs 3:9-10? …. Are you freeloading? It’s quite amazing how people can and do spend money on everything under the sun except the furthering of the kingdom of Christ.

“But my giving is between God and I!” Sure is and HE’s watching you! He’s watching the opportunities HE gives you! HE’s going to judge you for how you give or refuse to give out of what He’s put in your hands temporarily (Matthew 25:40-46; Mark 12:42-44). Where did the once “rich man” go when he died and where is he now and forever will be? WHAT is the stated reason for where he went and is? Read Luke 16:19-31.

Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Philippians 1:21-23; Revelation 22:11 also make it clear that when one dies he goes straight to his eternal destination. Any compromise on this doctrine is evil and constitutes that which seduces the believer towards lasciviousness Jude 3-4. There will be no second chance to repent. Death is final and as one dies so shall he be forever (Luke 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:11).

Filthy Rich (audio)

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