Kitabı oku: «God Money And The Blessed Poor», sayfa 2
5. Cash In The Bank
When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation, since the hand that gives is above the hand that takes. Money has no motherland. Financiers are without patriotism and decency, their sole object is gain. Napoleon Bonaparte
Money in the Bank has everyone's interest. For a rich man's wealth is his god. But Mammon will always be an inferior god to the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Yet it competes for the hearts of men. It puts up an impressive show of power, promising you a world of comfort and safety. It flaunts itself and takes you many places, but so quickly lets you down like a rundown battery in need of a recharge. It is an unfaithful lover that makes you look and feel good. And like a harlot it changes hands without conscience or shame. The world's your oyster and then without warning it inflates or loses value while you crash and burn over a pile of debt caused by the loss of income and unemployment. But Mammon is a guru in motivation that gets you up and going when you follow its principles with passion and resolve. Soon you find yourself on top of your game again, and as you know, everybody loves a winner.
Money plays you well and keeps you hooked with lust and greed, wanting more like a junkie on coke or acid. You dream of Las Vegas, the Bahamas, and off you go to the house of the rising sun never to hear the whisper of the risen One calling your name. Perhaps you are fortunate and wisely avoid easy money, slots, and scams, to happily follow the proven path up the ladder. Your prosperity knows no end, and money makes you shine like a diamond. You are covered with policies, assets, and portfolios all fortune 500 listed. Your paper is imported, and your signature a collector's item. Finally, your name is printed on every invitation, yet you take no account whether it is recorded in the Lambs book of life.
Carpets turn red, while the fans keep you cool in the crazy heat of summer. You're a shooting star, and if you burn long enough, people would claim you're a god(ess) heading for the sun. Life's a party, and you never have to save a penny, for another day. You wine and dine with caviar and champagne, and your tea is imported by the masters of a forbidden trade. Your presence anywhere is a crowd magnet, yet a reed in the wind. That's how you live and die. With pride on your wall, you believe the web of lies that money, success, family, and friends are all that matters. Notice how God is missing.
You have clothed yourself with the fat of the land while milking the poor and needy for a nickel and a dime. You got away with murder, theft, and secrets, not to mention adultery, and those sins everybody does it. You have no care, no worry, and no fear in the world. You rock and roll like the king of old. But with all this media publicity hype, you still can’t escape the moth in your closet and the thief in the night. Your money has an answer for everything, but when depression hits, it’s as dumb as an idol. It boosts your confidence and lifts you above the rest. Still, you’re one breath away from ashes in a tiny jar. Your Botox, medicine, and plastic surgery make for a photo-shop finish, but not even the most advanced mummy can escape that coffin worm. You keep buying time for money, hoping death would go away. You avoid truth and light, while incognito dark demon invested places. Is eternal darkness really the end you want? Heaven cannot be bought or bribed. Jesus is the only way and light that can save an entire household.
6. Jesus And The Rich Kid
Whenever Jesus taught he always provoked men to ask important questions. And so it happened that a rich young ruler came running up to Jesus, kneeling down he asked: Good Master what must I do to get eternal life. Jesus responded, why do you call me good? There is none good but one, God. Do you know the commandments? Don't commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, defraud not, honor your father and mother. And he answered: Master, all these have I observed from my youth. And Jesus beholding him loved him. Then he said to him, there's one thing you lack. Go your way and sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back to take up your cross and follow me. But when the rich young man heard this, he became sad at that saying and went away depressed for he had great possessions. Then Jesus remarked, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom.
Did you notice that Jesus loved this young man? Jesus also saw his potential value was hidden underneath his velvet status and fortress wealth. He probably came from an aristocratic family who gave him a proper education but also taught him to keep the commandments of God, which he did. He was influential, smart with a firm religious belief. But one thing was missing that would have made him perfect. Only a true master, teacher could dare to speak such a truth that would cut to the heart of his students and followers. But when he heard the answer his weakness was exposed. He was strong in gather temporary wealth but weak in letting go of passing riches to acquire eternal life which he was short of. The price of salvation is so high that no man can afford it. That's why Christ who was rich became poor that you and I through his poverty could become rich. And so this rich young rich ruler walked away from the best deal any man could ever be offered. You see class, status, wealth nothing of this matter to him but the heart of a man whom he created.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a certain piece of land. And when someone stumbles upon it, he hides it, and for the joy thereof, he goes and sells all that he has, just to acquire that property and the treasure thereof. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl collector who found a pearl of high value and decided it's worth selling everything else just to get that one.
7. The Good Thief
Have you ever watched a good thief in action and just liked him, even though his persona eclipsed the real heroes behind the scene, who serves and protects our communities from his kind? Love or hate him, he doesn't care. He just wants to get his dirty hands on those precious belongings of yours. I like Cops and Robbers, where lawmen always triumph over criminals, to lock them up behind bars. But Hollywood has corrupted the hearts and minds of its audiences, by presenting a different kind of hero, like the good for a no-good thief. A few figures come to mind. Like Andre Stander a South African Police Captain who turned Robber Hood and with charm and non-violent acts he gained celebrity status thanks to the media. Then there was Al Capone dressed to kill was his fashion, nicely suited for that familiar white color crime. Let's not forget the shooting stars Bonnie and Clyde, admired until the blood of two cops wiped away the public sentiment with a cry of vengeance. Did I mention Payback, the first response to combat crime, justifying taking the law into your own hands? Oceans 11, 12, and 13 is but one of many films that rationalize your thinking and emotion to a world of crime, cheering them on while they steal rob, and kill each other, until they turn on you, for their next happy meal in a constant volatile environment of greed and deception. But conditions don't have to be deplorable for the heart to fail. Adam and Eve were in a picture-perfect garden setting when the apple fell from the tree. Am I talking about science now? Eve deliberately picked the fruit from the tree, even after she was warned that death was hidden within. But when the devil entertains you with an open mind, it disables the lock of resistance, so evil can slip in like a special friend. But later it becomes a situation of life and death because of your own choice.
Most people have suffered at the hands of thieves and robbers, yes even the good thieves like Bonnie and Clyde would thank you for your cooperation without resistance. Crime pays, they say. But who is paying if wrongdoing is not foiled? The public is covered by insurance policies, while the Police are covered with brutal bullets to combat crime. Where is their honor, even to the soldiers on the battle line? So often you hear the shouts of betrayal demanding open gates and borders, jeopardizing the safety of neighbors, family, and friends, while they like hypocrites hide behind locked doors and iron gates. Don't fear the police when you do good, for they are your guardians, but if you do the crime, you will also do the time. So be afraid, for you cannot run and hide forever. Where are the wise, when spoils of crime are laundered through the hands of public servants, to aid them to escape justice and time legally? And how, the revenue of crime influence and change laws to buy rights never deserved for the crimes against humanity? Is stealing from the rich to give back to the poor, indeed commendable? Robin Hood wasn't really a bad guy, or was he? And what about the good guys in Oceans?
The same is true of many in prison who just tried to make a living. But the law and justice must prevail lest disorder persists, and the arm of justice be broken, and they lose their bite. And be aware of cunning men tweaking laws for personal gain. Can a man still call a thief, a thief without lawyers making a circus of the law, not being able to discern what is right and what is evil? The law was never meant to punish good citizens for resisting dark matters. But some lawless entities who no longer want to be called what they really are by their actions use violence and intimidation to shake the king's servants like puppets on a string. But the mercy that is given, cannot be demanded, by those who refuse to abide by the rules. But the mercy that is given, cannot be demanded, by those who refuse to abide by the rules.
What is physical safety when unstable souls attack the mind destabilizing communities, whose works and thoughts are evil like that of the devil that only comes to kill, steal, and destroy? The series Cheaters is a shocking reality that proves the point. How the guilty are caught red-handed or even on camera, and still they refuse to acknowledge they did any wrong. Then they turn the tables on good and blame others for invading their privacy where the crime and sin have been committed. But some say, to catch a thief, you need to think like a thief. You won’t find that in the bible. But Psychologists and others jump in readily to study the criminal mind. It’s like asking the devil to be honest so you can learn from the chief of deceivers why he is so evil. Oh, what deception will you find when you engage yourself with the father of lies! A web of lies attracts its prey, but the gospel truth will set you free.
Two thieves hung on either side of the king of the Jews. Pontius Pilate found him innocent, yet public outcry perverted justice, as they traded his freedom and gave it to a murderer instead. So, Christ died between two thieves. He lived a perfect life without crime, a friend of sinners, and an advocate, but not a judge. He touched no evil but evil attached itself to him as he paid the wages of sin which is death. The prison of hell you can avoid. Get out of hell free, by faith and baptism in his name. But that was not the end. For the Chief Judge overturned the corrupt sentence and raised Christ from the dead. Thus, by his death and resurrection, Christ restored law and order for the kingdom of God is at hand. He was wounded for your transgressions and bruised for your iniquities. The punishment for your sin was on him. But wait there is more - there is a gift for you not that you have to pay more. It is a gift from the Father, and it is Christ his son. Get out of hell free and escape the bondage you in. Jesus said come to me and I will give you life and it is in abundance that you may truly live with joy free from crime and time.
Can a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me, says God. But they responded: How did we rob you? In tithes and offerings, he replied. You are cursed with a curse, even this whole nation. Bring now the tithes into my storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And prove me by it, says the Lord of the host. If I will not open to you the windows of heaven and pour out on you blessings, that there be not enough room for you to receive it. And I will rebuke the destroyer for your sake, that he will not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither will the vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, and all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of the host.
8. Who’s The Boss
Keep your clothes on and the lights burning and are ready always like the blessed servants who wait for their lord's return from a wedding, and when he knocks at the door that you may be ready to open it for him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom their lord will find watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will gird himself and make them sit down to eat, and he will serve them. Blessed are those servants when he arrives in the second or third watch and finds them ready. For if a house owner knows what hour a thief will come, will he not watch and be ready, and stop the criminal from breaking in to steal? So be ready, for the Son of man will come at an hour when you don't expect him to arrive. Who is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will make ruler over his household, to give him his portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so on his return. Plainly I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But and if that servant says in his heart, My lord delays his return, and so starts to beat the servants, and eat and drink till he is drunk. Then will the lord of that servant come in a day when he looks not for him and at an hour when he is not aware and will cut him up and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did do according to his will, will be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. For to whom much is given, much will be required, and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask more.
There was a certain nobleman who booked a return ticket to go to a country far away, to accept a kingdom, and to come again. And so he called his ten servants, and gave each of them, a credit to develop while he was gone and to occupy till he returns. But the citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, we will not have this man reign over us! And it came to pass that he did receive his kingdom and returned, just like he said. And so he requested those servants to whom he gave credit, to come and show how much each man gained by trading. The first came, saying, Lord, I managed to grow it by ten. Well done you good servant. You have been faithful in a little, and you will have authority over ten cities. So, the second servant came and said, my nobleman, your credit has gained five more. Ah, likewise he noted, five cities will be under your power. But the next servant came and said, Master, see, here is your coin. I played it safe, for I feared you, knowing you to be a hard man that possesses what you did not own, and receive from which you did not invest. But he said to him: You wicked servant, by your own mouth will I judge you now. You knew I was a hard man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I have not sown. Why then did you not deposit my credit for a crown, that at my coming I might have required from the bank what belonged to me with interest? You lost your coin to him that has ten. But some said, Lord, he already has ten. So he said, To everyone who has, more will be given. And from him, that has none even that which he has will be taken away from him. Bring now those enemies of mine, who would not have me reign over them, and slay them in my sight!
There was a certain rich man, whose custodian was accused of wasting his assets. And so his master called him into the office, and said, what is this rumor I am hearing of bad management? You are fired, and your office will go to another. Then the steward said to himself, my lord has forced me to resign my position and power. What will I now do? I can’t dig like a slave, and I am indeed too ashamed to beg. So he made up his mind and took action that would allow him after he has left the office and cleared his room, to be welcomed into people’s homes. And without delay he called up every one of his lord's debtors, to arrange a final settlement. To the first, he asked, how much do you owe my lord? 100 measures of oil, he said. Good, now take your bill quickly and mark it down to 50. Then to another, he asked, how much do you owe? 100 measures of wheat, he replied. Fine, Take your bill and write 40. And when his final deeds were known, his lord commended the unjust steward for doing wisely. For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. Jesus said, make for yourself friends with the mammon of unrighteousness; that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. And he that is unjust in the least is also unjust in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who will give you that which is your own?
No servant can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Servants, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Not with eye service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ. And with goodwill doing the will of God from the heart as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man does, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether he be a slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening. Know that your Master is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with Him.
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