“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.”
1 Timothy 6:10
Some people often misquote the Bible by saying, “Money is the root of all evil”. However, this is not so. Money is not a want, it is a need. The LOVE OF MONEY is however the root of all evil.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians wrote “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11 In 1 Timothy 6:6 it states “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” One of the keys to a life of peace, especially as a Christian is contentment. You may not have all that you think you want but remember that God has promised to supply all you need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
The choice to be or not to be contented is the one that determines the lives that some live and the corresponding actions of many. My dad always told us not to be jealous, envious or covetous but to be thankful and contented. You may see many changing cars frequently, building mega houses, and from head to toe may total about a thousand dollars, but you never know.
There is a prevailing problem in our territory and it is one of greed and covetousness. Too many people are trying to not only “Keep up with the Joneses” but to far surpass the Jones, at all cost and in the process are losing their integrity, and bringing themselves and their families to shame, not to mention helping to populate the local prison. If it is not yours, don’t take it up and employees that includes office stationery.
But God is saying to all of us today that we need to be contented. Now, being contented does not mean that you have to drive your 1980 Honda until it is practically falling to pieces and being a noise hazard when you drive it. It is not a sin to get a new vehicle, a new home, a wife, a husband, a business, a new wardrobe. The important thing is not what you acquire but how you acquire it. Be sure that what you obtain is by legal and honest means. The Bible does not lie and in Numbers 32:23b it states “…behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
You see, God is the one keeping record, but sometimes unknown to you, so are the legal authorities. God sees and God knows ALL THINGS. Man may not know and man may not see the bribes, the thefts, the under the table deals, the forged documents but God sees and if you obtain things dishonestly or through illegal means it is just a matter of time before EXPOSURE and shame comes.
Do not sell your soul to the devil and lose your soul in hell, just to have money and own possessions. Do not allow the almighty dollar bill to become your God. It is not worth it. It is not everything the glitters is gold and if you know an activity is illegal, unscrupulous and dishonest, no matter how much money is being offered or promised do not get involved in it. No matter who all is getting away with it or has gotten away with it, you might just be the one who will not. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Act 17:30
Some people think that Christians are to be poor, live in small houses and drive old cars as an act of humility but that is un-scriptural and a wrong mindset. The Word of God says in 3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”. In addition to that, God has made a promise to those who answer His call on their life and are obedient to him. In St. Mark 10:29-31 it states “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
However, the Bible warns against covetousness. In St. Luke 12:15 it states “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.
Gary you suggest that people rely on God given intelligence, but you want nothing to do the Words of the Holy Bible, which is where intelligence of God begin to flow into our minds.
It is only when we learn to accept the Words of the Holy Bible, that we begin to build faith, and by faith we receive the wisdom and understanding of God’s Holy Spirit.
You have often said that those of who speak from the Word of God, expect that other people must accept our words, but do you realize that you are embarrassing yourself, as you debate against subjects which you do not understand?
Gary, the words that I spoke are from the Holy Bible, which is written for all people who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That same God is also the God and Father of Jesus Christ, whom all Christians should believe in. For by His blood we are saved.
I do not care one thing about whether you agree with me or not. But if you believe you have the right to object to everything we speak about God and the Holy Bible, we too have the right to speak the things God’s Holy Spirit is passing on to us, for the sake of those who will take heed of His command, His guidance, and His Word.
No one forces you to read those comments or articles which you are always debating against. What is your point? Again I do not care about whether you think I have the right to do or not to do. I am one of those persons who do not live by your authority.
You have chosen not to agree with the Word of God, but speak for yourself. If you choose to read my comments that is your choice, but once more, I am letting you know that I do not care about your opinion and your objection, much more for you telling me that “I have no right” Just whom do you think you are!!!!!
@elizabeth xavier:
Why are you so fast to give the people advise as to what God they should worship, talking about “eating His flesh and drinking his blood that they might have life ” Why is it when you people have your God you want everyone to subscribe to it, and fast to condemn and judge using your religious beliefs, having no respect for other people. There is something called religious tolerance.
We’re all entitled to hold and have opinions, and should respect others, regardless if they are not in accordance with what you believe.Your God is yours.You have a right to what yo believe, nobody is denying you that right, but you have no right to make demands and judgments predicting doom and gloom to those who are not flowers of your God and stop being a religious zealot.
Why is it people of certain religious faiths always think that their spin on things is always the truth and using quotes from the bible as their reference for truth, “you see the bible said this, so it is true”I’m not against anyone having a religious belief but where is our God given intelligence to swift out, lies, personal opinions, misinformation, fiction and distortion of truth when it comes to certain mattes and money is one oft them.
The subject of money has always been thought to be intellectual and esoteric to comprehend and left in the hands of a few to understand and as a result people are kept ignorant and in darkness about such an important matter which is very essential to living and survival. The religious establishment makes you feel guilty about having it, telling you the love of it is evil, and it is the root of all evil, but at the same time they are greatest accumulators of wealth on the planet, they love it and we are superposed not to love it to. Look at King Salomon, who was more covetous than him. The above statement quote “The important thing is not what you acquire but how you acquire it. Be sure that what you obtain is by legal and honest means” what a vein statement, the acquirement of money should not be judged solely by legality and honesty, there are a lot of things in society which are so called legal ways of making money but are they “moral”, that is where the emphases should be placed.
Money touches every aspect of our lives.It should be a means to an end. It enables you to get much more out of life in every way. Money do have it limitations, there is no way denying it. People need to get educated as to what money means to them and not be frightened by and made guilty by people with religious beliefs about the subject.
If only our Dominicans would desire to turn to the control of our Lord God, in Jesus Christ, who will guide them to the resources of His Word, which is the food of Life, fed to us through faith and by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
Jesus said in John Chapter 6: The Words that I speak are Spirit and they are Life. He spoke those words after He had commanded us to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood that we might have Life in us. The Jews did not accept that command, because they said it too hard to understand.
While our Dominicans are wrapped up in the issues of politics and social affairs, and of course, the love of money, saying that they love Dominica, they fail to realize that their concerns are vanity and futility which has nothing to do with Love, for those issues will eventually pass away.
Unfortunately, our deep concern about this worldly system of existence, is evidence that we are still in our condition of death–separation from our God of Spirit. Truth, Love and Holiness–because we fail to feed on the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Word of God–the essence, Love. For Love is Life, the Light of Jesus Christ, which keeps our soul glowing with the florescent colors of joy, peace, goodness, kindness, patience, humility, endurance, and self-control–the nature of the Spirit. Jesus warns us that unless we eat His Flesh and drink His Blood we will have no Life in us. We have failed to realize that we must secure this Life before we leave this world, or before Jesus’ return, if we are still living in this world.
I hope that the Richardsons will continue to maintain patience and obedience, which influence them to continue with their work, as God’s Holy Spirit guides them, that He might do His work through them and in them. Prays and glory be to our Lord, God in Jesus Christ. Amen!
Thanks again – Ministers Wilbert and Jackie Robinson. I look forward to your Alive word every day. I also look foward to Part 2 of this series. I do wish that you could find a medium to let those words get to our young men especially who are putting their life at risk for the Almighty dollar. So many have perished and even sometimes our own children get web in this system.
I pray a blessing from the Heavenly Father on both of you to spread the Gospel so we can bring Praise to our Father.