Thoughts on the danger of trusting in riches

[biblelesson]

Jesus said it is hard for the rich to enter heaven because if one trusts in one riches to enter heaven if one believes truly one is good that one is worthy that one deserves heaven because of ones works in working hard to be rich as though because one worked and was not lazy. Because one may believe if one worked hard that even though it made one rich one helped others and that made them rich that one deserves salvation because of one many works that one deserves salvation and did not know how much one needs Christ.

As psalm 49 shows for one does not go to heaven for trusting in ones own deeds because one was able to do many things and become rich if one trust is in just in himself and not in Christ but one must only work what Christ requires and he should never think he is worthy.

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven, Matthew 19:24. Jesus is saying it’s difficult but not impossible.

Here is a picture of a needle eye in Jerusalem: you have to take everything off the camel’s back, squeeze the camel through, then put everything back on the camel’s back! Hard work!

https://dustoffthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/eye-of-the-needle.jpg

(Staff Edit )

 

[mikeforjesus]

The reason that it is hard for rich man to enter kingdom is because those who are rich could trust in their own goodness as though God needs them to be rich as though they merit something from themselves not to go to heaven because of the grace of God.

Also as they may not think about serving God to be rich in good works though Jesus says it is possible for all as those works are not necessary if you can not if you have opportunity to repent to be sorry to call on the Lord but you may not have opportunity.

For one needs to be seeking to be rich in good works to give most of your money that you don’t need apart from your labour and work such as businesses to poor.

 

[mikeforjesus]

It is true Jesus didn’t die to make one rich that riches are not promised as James says come you who say tommorow we will buy and sell and make a profit that such boasting is wrong for you don’t know what tommorow brings instead you ought to say if the Lord wills so for God is primarily concerned one is following Him and serving Him and the Lord alone knows if you will live to make riches as long as you did not stop seeking to preach Him and serve Him and it or that must be done atleast to be secure.

For the Lord wants us to prosper as our soul prospers but such riches are also not guaranteed because you don’t know if you will live to make it and not a promise that He promises to give just your needs and what is good what He wants so should not boast as though knowing the future and unwise if not prepared for your soul so should seek to serve God. But not wrong to seek to make if the Lord wills to prosper to help.

I believe the love of money means wanting it so much you are willing to do evil to get it or you pursue it first not to seek first the kingdom to be doing His will first so that you are serving God and pursuing riches is not becoming main focus so you stop serving God and God does not promise riches only to say if the Lord wills we will do so so must not insist to desire to be rich even if it means harm to your relationship with God to plunge into sin. The Bible says below so it is not wrong to seek to work hard to have plenty.

Proverbs 21:5 5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 9:4
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I believe it may be hard for those who have riches to enter heaven because they should forsake it lest they die without opportunity to repent to seek to repent to call upon Jesus in repentance if that is all one can do that it is hard if they are not willing to let go unless jesus proved it is ok. Perhaps those who were allowed to be rich were shown by God after they obeyed to sell everything. Jesus said those who sell houses will have houses so maybe God will give or they will provided accomodation by Christian organsisations.

That we really do not need money so all should sell all they have and give to poor which will include family for people who can’t yet support themselves to be able to find work that can support them and if not to keep just for their needs until they do to support health if they have not found work just to be able to support themselves. Though for me is not urgent if I don’t have plan how I am going to live my life but others is.

 

[mikeforjesus]

It is not wise to sell all as that would be wrong if family have needs and to help them. It is right to sell and give all to poor but includes family to leave a portion for all family that all needs may be met and give rest to poor. It is also important if you have much to give after helping some poor which all have duty to to help the poor among your relatives and church if they are not in that situation because they are given and waste and incase can’t to give to family to give to them.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I replied to christian page online called Christian’s exposing satans kingdom the below

Yet Paul said work is important that one labors and supports the weak if all stop working how can one ensure churches one gives to will spend it on where there is real need and if one stops working even church how can one ensure there is enough money for the poor which also the parable of the talents seems to teach you should seek to grow talent which includes money and if you can’t to give to one who can grow to help the poor

They shared below

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."- Acts 1:8 KJV

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

 

[mikeforjesus]

Salvation is possible for anyone who turns to the Lord seeking repentance but person should seek to obey all Jesus has said or person may die when he is not seeking Christ to repent. Jesus said lay not up treasure on earth and fear not little flock it is your Father pleasure to give you kingdom sell what you have and give alms that which is tied to parable of talents that if you have money you still need to do good with it to make friends with unrighteous mammon that is what business does not need and you should increase wealth to give to more but you should still give rest you do not need to poor and if you are not willing to work to do more should give to those willing to work to increase it.

One is not saved by works as though works we’re needed you only need to repent when you can to do what you can but if you are not seeking to obey now you are not repentant and can die when not trying for you don’t know when you will die because if you are not trying you are not seeking then and if you didn’t die it would be done but if you turn to Lord at any time if all you can do is call upon Him one is saved. But perhaps one can do more now atleast to tell others to deposit your money to a Christian organisation that is dependable and can give to one children as much for their needs and to be able to support themselves for life but the rest to poor that should be given to Christian Organisation if they can be held accountable for how they spend that all know and one children can decide how it is but not to be used for them.

 

[mikeforjesus]

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven, Matthew 19:24. Jesus is saying it’s difficult but not impossible.

Here is a picture of a needle eye in Jerusalem: you have to take everything off the camel’s back, squeeze the camel through, then put everything back on the camel’s back! Hard work!

https://dustoffthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/eye-of-the-needle.jpg

(Staff Edit )

I want to know what is meant how to apply do you mean you should not focus on riches if you have first but how is that related to taking everything off camels back and put it back on how would one apply to take everything off camels back and put it back on ? Or am I right to say if you don’t focus on riches first but to serve God that is taking off camels back then you can also enjoy some of fruit of labor ?

 

[biblelesson]

I want to know what is meant how to apply do you mean you should not focus on riches if you have first but how is that related to taking everything off camels back and put it back on how would one apply to take everything off camels back and put it back on ? Or am I right to say if you don’t focus on riches first but to serve God that is taking off camels back then you can also enjoy some of fruit of labor ?

Not sure what you are asking, but Jesus said it. I didn’t say it.

“… it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven,” Matthew 19:24.

A rich man can get to heaven if he believe on Christ. There are many rich Christians.

In fact, a person can work to gain wealth and still have a humble and meek spirit loving Christ. People just don’t understand what is meant by “there’s no condemnation in Christ Jesus.

Another thing people don’t understand is when Jesus made that statement in Matthew 19:24 KJV we were still under the Old Testament. We are now under a new dispensation, the New Testament where we have freedom in Christ.

Without understanding the freedom we have under the new dispensation in Christ, we continue to refer to the laws under the old, which is not rightly divided the word of God!

 

[mikeforjesus]

Thankyou for your reply and explanation. I think then one can be rich but he must not be serving mammon that he is becoming rich because his main focus is to gain possesions to enjoy them but he is seeking to serve Christ first of all as Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God yet such will be added.

 

[mikeforjesus]

Matthew 6:24-34
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Do Not Worry
(Luke 12:22–31)
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Does above words by Jesus mean one should not seek to make money but it will be provided if one serves God ? How will it be provided for everyone unless enough donate their money ? Or does it mean He will give you work not to worry that you will not find a job to work that it will be given ? But is it wrong from this passage to seek to be rich not just satisfied with needs met or one can but not to worry to seek for such riches to distract you but He will open up better opportunities to work but such work would take much time to be richer away from the Lord work so is it wrong ?

Or work need not take you away from the Lord work that you can make time for preaching first and work ? But that seems impossible for much work spent making money could be spent preaching. But it seems if none work less money will be available to help gospel work and to help the poor or does God choose some to be rich to help gospel and the poor ? But why is there still many poor ?

 

[biblelesson]

Matthew 6:24-34
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Do Not Worry
(Luke 12:22–31)
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Does above words by Jesus mean one should not seek to make money but it will be provided if one serves God ? How will it be provided for everyone unless enough donate their money ? Or does it mean He will give you work not to worry that you will not find a job to work that it will be given ? But is it wrong from this passage to seek to be rich not just satisfied with needs met or one can but not to worry to seek for such riches to distract you but He will open up better opportunities to work but such work would take much time to be richer away from the Lord work so is it wrong ?

Or work need not take you away from the Lord work that you can make time for preaching first and work ? But that seems impossible for much work spent making money could be spent preaching. But it seems if none work less money will be available to help gospel work and to help the poor or does God choose some to be rich to help gospel and the poor ? But why is there still many poor ?

Matthew 6:24-34 KJV, and Luke 12:22-31 KJV are not saying it’s wrong to gain riches; you have not rightly decided the word of God. You are only trying to use these versus to make it fit the argument.

But the verses are referring to someone who put the things they desire in life above God instead of trusting God, thus making those things idols.

It could be anything people use to give them some sense of importance: seeking praise and status on a job, being jealous over what other people posses, wanting to be the best at something without consideration of others, wanting to have the best to prove you are important, wanting the best clothes, cars, homes, food, etc.

Look at Matthew 6:28-29 KJV. God is comparing the glory He gives to clothing the lilies with the glory He gave to Solomon’s kingly apparel being a king.

So, who made the lilies and who made Solomon King? So, If the splendor of the lilies are greater than the splendor of a king’s raiment, God is saying He is a God that can do the same for us, so there is no need to idolize those things, because they are freely given.

Are kings rich? Yes they are. Did not God say He sat up kings? Yes he did: Daniel 2:21 KJV, Romans 13:1 KJV.

Jesus is saying in Matthew and Luke above that all things are in the hands of God, therefore whatever we attain in life, we are to trust God for it and not man, and this includes riches. God blesses us with wherever we want, to include riches, when we trust Him, 1 John 3:21-22 KJV.

 

[biblelesson]

Does above words by Jesus mean one should not seek to make money but it will be provided if one serves God ?

The provisions to be blessed with the things we need and even those things we desire is not saying we must do some work for Christ first.

Jesus is just simply telling the Christian to trust in God as they seek those things they desire. We don’t have to worry, because those things we desire will be provided.

How will it be provided for everyone unless enough donate their money ?

The verses in Matthew and Luke is speaking to the individual Christian. Each individual person must work out their own salvation, Philippians 2:12 KJV. We are not being told that everyone must donate their money for everyone to be taken care of. When you read the Bible, it’s talking to you and and your personal walk before the Lord.

Or does it mean He will give you work not to worry that you will not find a job to work that it will be given ? But is it wrong from this passage to seek to be rich not just satisfied with needs met or one can but not to worry to seek for such riches to distract you but He will open up better opportunities to work but such work would take much time to be richer away from the Lord work so is it wrong ?

Look for work you desire and trusting God, he will provide what you want.

Seeking riches has to do with the person’s desires. God provides our needs and desires.

All God is saying is trust Him for your needs and desires, nothing more. He does open up opportunities for us when we trust Him.

 

[mikeforjesus]

To follow Jesus He said fear not little flock it is your Father pleasure to give kingdom sell what you have and give alms but that includes family that people should not be seeking to worry about tommorow food and clothing but seek first the kingdom and trust God to provide needs that it is not time now incase necessary that we should trust Christ not riches for our needs.

So if one has riches he should give a part to his children according to what will be enough for their needs now to support children only if they need help for their children to meet their needs for health for life they don’t need to be rich and give the rest to the church only if by law they can be held accountable.

Perhaps Christ asks us to trust Him for daily bread that one should not be storing up more wealth than one needs for His children and only seeking one daily bread not worrying about tommorow just working to support their needs until they have enough for life and give the rest to poor some for those who need their help and for preaching gospel and the rest to Christian organisation that will be held accountable how they spend.

I decided for myself I should not seek to store riches now I don’t need that I did backup most of what I have except some new things I bought as pictures incase they are helpful later but I don’t need them now that I would sell them to give to Christian organisation I know needs them like voice of the martyrs and just follow bible for now until Christ shows otherwise and just worry about the day work to work everyday just to store for my needs.

I think it is not wrong to enjoy things but only if one is seeking first the kingdom and if it will help for ministry that you know helps or God leads to it is safest to follow this incase it is necessary to follow if you may not get chance to repent to seek Christ calling in repentance.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I believe I misunderstood the intention of the commandments. It is not wrong to have riches that such can be useful to steward but one should not trust in it as though they have to depend on themselves to keep money for God gives you opportunity to work to have ability to provide for yourself. Paul says God gives us richly all things to enjoy. That God does give for your needs and to enjoy that it is not wrong to have for that not only to give some for your children but also for yourself for your needs but apart from your valid needs you don’t need all of it just what occupies you now Jesus says sell what you have and give alms. You can have many businesses but you should be giving a part all that you don’t need once you have enough should for life from ability for businesses to continue to poor.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I believe I put unnecessary stumbling block that when Jesus said to sell what you have just as He said if your hand causes you to sin cut it off as my dad says He was not speaking literally but that your possesions do not possess you. That you can be rich but it does not mean you have no compassion if you know some who really need your help that you should be giving what is fair amount the tithe that you give sometime because if you don’t you may die while not seeking to do to not have opportunity to call to Christ in repentance if you die while you were not seeking to.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I saw this on Facebook and replied to trivia below. I am wondering the answer to my comments I know the answer to the trivia is fall

BIBLE TRIVIA
What will become of one who trusts in riches?
They will flee, They will flourish, They will fight, They will fall

Yet if one can apply that to the following does that not mean all are trusting in their wealth if they seek to have a job or do you think they have to be poor not to think of future just to depend on God daily for the needs of them and their family through a job or do you think without a job the world would be able to support others to have their needs met to share for basic needs but then do you think others must be poor and by following I said before I mean that all who work to ensure their family has their needs met as though it is wrong that one ensures to work today for one needs now and for future as though they are wrong to think about that such is not obeying Jesus to worry not for tommorow sufficient for the day is it’s trouble but it is not wrong if one is not allowing oneself to worry to plan but just trusting God for the future if one works today.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I asked the below questions to what was posted below.

The main thing I want to know is can you store money for tommorow needs for Jesus only said not to worry about tommorow but that does not seem to mean to not seek to save some of what you can to meet future needs but not work more than what you need today because of worry about tommorow not that you don’t think to work as much as is reasonable for tommorow.

And some also consider working for money as wrong would like to prove what is right for they say they do not want to support the system of work that people don’t help each other but accept donations from church and government though they should give all their money to church group to be shared to give to poor.

I want to talk as to ensure one is saved one should give all his possesions to poor to trust God to meet your needs through donations which includes family as you can not force them if they are not ready.

The question I asked person who posted below is:

Do you believe it is wrong to seek to run business that makes money how then will peoples needs be met or if you can store some money for yourself that is more than your needs for today from business and how can one do any job to get one need met unless there is a business that gives him job and should one only seek one need for day seeking help everyday by God to provide your need somehow by job as you say important to walk by faith?

From Facebook page maranatha come Lord Jesus

www.facebook.com/groups/1920905028139016/permalink/3547949742101195/?mibextid=S66gvF

Reposting this very timely, encouraging and powerful prophetic word by Anita Alexander!

WHEN MAMMON IS YOUR GOD

"When mammon is your God: you view money as an answer to solve all problems- social, mental, emotional, physical.

When mammon is your God: you believe all people are not equal.

When mammon is your God: you fear for tomorrow.

When mammon is your God: your lenses are fixed on the temporal and not on the eternal.

When mammon is your God: you begin to dance with Judas.

When mammon is your God: honour and integrity is not part of your vocabulary.

When mammon is your God: loyalty does not exist.

When mammon is your God: debt is the usual transaction of purchase.

When mammon is your God: you WILL NOT and CANNOT walk by faith.

When mammon is your God: you are merely a puppet on strings.

Jesus makes an explosive statement in Luke 16:13

“It is impossible for a person to serve two masters at the same time. You will be forced to love one and reject the other. One master will be despised and the other will have your loyal devotion. It is no different with God and the wealth of this world. You must enthusiastically love one and definitively reject the other.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

When Jesus says something is impossible I think we better listen? Remember now this is the guy who says ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

But one thing isn’t possible: YOU CANNOT HAVE TWO MASTERS.

YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON.

Why?

Because you will BE FORCED to despise one in order to have loyal devotion to another.

That’s a pretty heavy statement right there!

Forced means to be obtained by coercion or physical power. WOW!

There is a time in every believers life and sometimes it’s numerous times, where they will BE FORCED to decide which side they stand and who is their God in regards to mammon.

Don’t be deceived in this hour. God is testing His people’s allegiance. Don’t for one minute think that you can sail through this hour with your eyes shut conforming to an evil agenda that has the love of money at its root.

Is God your source or is the world?

I’m serious. People who testify that Jesus is their Lord need to be asking themselves this question in this hour. Is He really your God? Because your loyalty is being tested.

An earlier verse in Luke 16:9 instructs us in the kind of relationship we are to have with mammon.

“It is important that you use the wealth of this world to demonstrate your friendship with God by winning friends and blessing others. Then, when this world fails and falls apart, your generosity will provide you with an eternal reward.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Ok so according again to Jesus himself, his people are to use the wealth of this world to be a blessing (as our covenant through Abraham declares) and to express our loyalty and friendship to God!

Then this scripture goes on to declare that WHEN this world falls apart,……. Wait…. what???

Yes WHEN not IF.

The problem with a lot of the church in this day is that so many have been positioned in deception by way of a self serving gospel, that when listening to words like this and when someone begins to point out these kind of scriptures, they reject it as conspiracy theories! It might sound laughable but it’s true!

We can’t pick and choose what scriptures we think are sound to match our worldly polluted ideology.

Jesus himself said WHEN IT FAILS. Money will fail you if it’s your God.

Something that holds no preeminence in your life has no power to fail you. Only when you serve it it does.

Jesus’ promise to us is that He will never fail us nor leave us!

I heard a preacher say the other day concerning a decision that they were faced with. They said “well if I have to do such and such, then I will just pray no evil will touch me! We have to be people of faith!”

I’m like wait…. what?

The bible says do not tempt the Lord your God! Whatever is not of faith is of sin!

This is the problem!! That’s not faith at all. That’s saying if I was told to jump off a bridge or else I will loose this or that, then I’ll just jump and ask God to soften my landing and save me! This is madness! I’m sorry but that’s not faith at all!

We have so much mixture of the world in the church that true faith isn’t even recognisable anymore.

True faith is standing like Shadrach, Meshac and Abednigo. And the scripture even says that they were prepared to die if the Lord decided not to rescue them. They weren’t playing Russian Roulette faith! No it was pure faith!

It wasn’t conditional with compromise! Im here to tell you folks it’s those who are willing to stand in allegiance to Jesus that will be protected from the hour of trial that comes on the earth.

We are in a mini hour of testing, it is a fortifying for the hour of true battle which is to come. Those who have stood through the fire of God will be able to withstand any fire the enemy would try throw at them.

Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.”
‭‭
Is this true or not?

I encourage you today, cut the puppet strings that mammon has on your life, that says dance now, bow here, freak out now, conform here, betray there, sell your self out here, worry about tomorrow there, fear lack now.

Jesus actually said it’s the heathen’s that hold this posture. (Matthew 6)

Are we heathens or true believers?

We are in an hour where we are being FORCED to declare which side we stand.

Do you serve God or Mammon?"

Anita Alexander

 

[mikeforjesus]

Jesus does not require to sell everything to go to heaven as bible mentions rich people in New Testament that they should be rich in good works willing to share that is if there is need you know is legitimate that it is only your responsibility to help you must. Otherwise the tithe is all that is necessary for needy. When Jesus said it is your Father pleasure to give kingdom sell what you have and give alms that is because some had money in terms of possesions that you can afford to sell some what you are not using now if you are rich though such is not required but only to seek to do so or maybe Jesus was not saying it is required as may not be possible but required to enter on death to do so because you are saved.

 

[mikeforjesus]

I believe actually there is risk if you don’t sell everything you don’t need that you die at any time when you are not repentant purposely not seeking not having opportunity to repent that you only need what will provide for yourself and children for life and to run businesses to make profit to help others but for young man like myself not yet in that position that there might be risk that I will sell everything to follow Christ and He will provide my needs so I will.