Others Or You

Love you all, praying for you. 
 
I just love Gods Word – it cuts… between the motives and intents of the heart.  Have you noticed that we as human beings are always quick to put labels on things, especially church people.  Some think the worst threat to the church is the “prosperity gospel.”   No one knows what that really is, but most have an opinion on it.  Clearly God’s Word teaches you cannot love God and money, but some people just don’t think pastors should drive nice cars.  God said “they are worthy of double honor – those who labor in the Word.”  Some pastors may be more interested in appearances, in money – but how do you know what they really think, or what’s in their heart?  Calling out pastors should only be done if they preach false doctrine, a doctrine other than Jesus, Salvation in any other name.  Or if they excuse sin, deceiving the weak into living a sinful life, which God will judge. (2 Tim 3:1, Jude 1) But does the prosperity gospel count as that?  Anything not clearly defined, cannot be clearly denied.  What is the prosperity gospel?  If it’s using godliness as a means of gain – then clearly God’s word teaches against it, and warns against those who seek it.  I Timothy 6:5-6 warns against those “who think godliness is a means to financial gain.  But godliness with contentment is great gain…”    Lovers of money are what God said would happen in the last days.  If people are just after money – they reveal who their god is, not the LORD.  But be careful in calling people out, you don’t know the intents and motives of their heart.  Only God does.  Just keep your heart pure.  Seek godliness and contentment that’s what God says is great gain.  Be thankful for what you have, not always pursuing more.  More money doesn’t mean more ministry, any more than more money means more happiness.  God said you came into the world with nothing, and you will take nothing out.  But God also said He gives the power to get wealth, He delights in the prosperity of His people, and that wisdom (which comes from God – for the asking) brings wealth, honor, and life.  John (in his letter to a friend, a beloved brother in Christ),  said, “Dear Friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way, and in good health, just as your soul is prospering.” (3 Jn 1:2)  There’s more to prosperity than money – if your soul prospers – money will follow.  And it if doesn’t, it doesn’t matter to you – because your soul is prospering.  What you’re after is infinitely more valuable than money.  Some people think if you’re godly you’ll get rich.  They think godliness is a means of gain.  Others think godliness will make you poor.  If you’re really godly… you’ll be poor.  Neither is true.  The question is – what does God have for you?  The kingdom of God is His plans for you – doing what He wants you to do – your life is where the King has dominion.  God said don’t worry about money for food and clothes and a place to live…  “The pagans chase after all these things and your Father in heaven knows that you need them.  Seek first His Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you as well.  (Luke 12:29-31)  What they have to strive for – your Father will just give you.  He determines what, when and how much – you can trust Him.  But whatever He chooses – it’s just added to you, not the focus of you.  If you do what He says, you’ll get what you need.  If you seek first His Kingdom, like Paul said, you can be content in any circumstance.  Not complacent.  Content.  You will know how to get along with humble means – if walking through a tight financial season, and you’ll know how to live in abundance, when God pours out on you even physical things that are more than you need.  God just said don’t put your trust in them.  Money comes and goes.  Just steward faithfully what you’ve been entrusted with.  Enjoy the little things, be thankful, and be content with what you have.  When it comes to others, don’t judge people – you don’t know their heart.  You can make righteous judgements about actions.  And avoid everything that could be a pitfall for you.  But be more worried about you than someone else… Don’t waste time judging what other people should do or buy or have, but rather examine yourself to see if you seek God first, His plans for you first? or His stuff first?   Praying that you will prosper in every way – just as your soul is prospering.  You’re already rich.  Your dad owns every bank, stock, and investment in the world –everything is His.  He’s not worried if the stock market falls… He owns everything!  And He promised to give you everything you need – starting with prosperity of your soul!  Praying that you will look to Him, not what He gives.  That you won’t be waiting for that next thing you want, but fully content, thankful and joyful with what you have.  Caviar won’t make you happy.  If you have God’s peace, and joy, and are fully obeying everything He told you – mac & cheese, or Ramen noodles are something to be just as thankful for!  His joy is beyond things.  If you’re not happy now, you won’t likely be then.  And if you lose something, will you also lose your joy?   God gives and takes away, but His Name is always blessed!  He is always good, and He has for you better things than the world chases after.  Praying that you will worry about yourself more than others.  That you won’t judge people, but be faithful yourself, and always seek His kingdom first.  So He can add to you every good thing, everything you need, and always enough to share with others. 
 
Love you all,
dad