Thinking About God's Economy -- 10/12/08

Sunday Morning, October 12, 2008

THINKING ABOUT GOD’S ECONOMY

Anybody here been concerned about the stock market? Or, if not about the stock market, about the economy in general? Lately it seems like the news has been bad news. Just this past week the Dow lost 1875 points. Over the past 8 working days, it has lost over 2,400 points, which is over 22% of its total value. Believe it or not, the Dow has lost over 5,700 points in the last year and has dropped over 40% of its value. No wonder people are beginning to compare it with the Great Depression. The S & P had its worst week since 1933. There are individuals and businesses which are feeling it intensely. Depending on what happens, we could all be affected.
Well, I have some good news for you this morning. This isn’t last night’s news; this is the current report. Brothers and sisters, everything is fine. Our investments are absolutely secure. We have nothing to worry about. We don’t have to worry about our bank failing or the government buying it out. Our savings are safe indeed. 1 Pet. 1:3-5, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
We have to admit that we don’t know what will happen with the US economy. I am no prophet, but I believe that sooner or later our enonomy will crash – if not now, then down the road. An economy that thrives on people going ever deeper into debt is not built on a firm foundation.
On the other hand, God’s economy will never fail. It is solid and will remain solid. So this morning let’s allow God’s Word to remindus of some of the great principles of God’s economy. Mainly we will read the Word, for there is no lack of biblical materials on this subject.
Before we do, let me say one other thing. Brothers and sisters, what will our attitude be when a severe economic crisis hits this country? When that time comes, we don’t need to be wondering what we are going to do. Rather, we need to be firm in our convictions, strong in our confidence in the Lord, and fearless in our attitude toward affliction. Why? So we can minister to others. We can’t give the bread of life to those in need, if we ourselves are wringing our hands and asking the Lord what is going on. When the world is in crisis, we must be resting calmly in Him, so that we will be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks us a reason for the hope that is in us. But if we don’t understand and live the principles of God’s economy, no one will be able to see the hope that is within us.
So let’s receive the Word with gladness this morning.

I. General Statements about Material Riches

1 Sam 2:7 "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up."

Psa 37:16 "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

Prov 10:2 "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death."

Prov 15:16-17 "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

Prov 16:8 "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

Prov 21:6 "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."

Prov 28:11 "The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out."

Prov 28:20 "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent."

Prov 28:22 "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

Prov 30:8-9 "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

1 Tim 6:17-19 "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."

II. The Futility of Riches

A. Riches will flee away

Prov 23:5 "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."

Psa 49:16-17 "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him."

Eccl 5:10 "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."

James 4:13-17 "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

Hag 1:6 "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."

B. Fools store up riches in this world

Psa 52:1-7 “A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 3. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. 6. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 7. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness."

Luke 12:13-21 "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15. 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. 16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18. And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

C. Riches will not deliver anyone from God’s wrath

Ezek 7:19 "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."

Zep 1:18 "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."

III. A Proper Attitude Toward Riches -- Contentment

Phil 4:10-19 "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Heb 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." [They didn’t have much, as seen in Heb 10:34 "For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."]

Psa 62:10 "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."

1 Tim 6:6-11 "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."

IV. The Danger of Riches

A. They tend to lead a person to forget God.

Deut 6:10-12 "And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11. And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12. Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."

Deut 8:10-18 "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12. Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13. And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14. Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15. Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16. Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."

Deut 31:20 "For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant."

Deut 32:15 "But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation."

Job 21:7-15 "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8. Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10. Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 13. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?"

B. Riches can choke out God’s Word.

* The parable of the sower is found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Here are the key verses in each passage…

Mat 13:7,22 "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them… He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

Mark 4:7,19 "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit… And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."

Luke 8:7,14 "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it… And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."

C. People most often come to trust them.

Psa 62:10 "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."

Mark 10:17-27 "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27. And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

** Is the great difficulty for the one who has riches, or for the one who trusts riches? Mark says the difficulty if for
both. The clear implication is that most people who have riches will end up trusting them.

D. Riches cloud the judgment of leaders – both governmental and spiritual leaders.

Ex 18:21 "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:"

Neh 5:7 "Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them."

Isa 1:23 "Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them."

Jer 8:8-11 "How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. 9. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? 10. Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 11. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace."

Micah 3:11 "The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us."

Luke 16:14 "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him."

1 Tim 3:3 "Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;"

Titus 1:7 "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;"

1 Pet 5:2 "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;"

2 Pet 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."

V. The Seriousness of Covetousness

In the New Testament there are two primary words translated “covetousness” (or “greed”). One means “lover of silver,” while the other means “to want more.”
How serious is covetousness? Is it sin? Is it serious enough to keep a person out of God’s kingdom?

A. Forbidden

Exo 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."

Deu 5:21 "Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's."

B. Keeps very evil company

Mark 7:21-23 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

Rom 1:29 "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,"

1 Cor 5:11 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

Eph 5:3 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;"

C. Is equal to idolatry

Col 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"

Eph 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

D. Excludes from the Kingdom

Eph 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Cor 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

E. Chokes out love for God.

Mat 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Mat 6:24-25 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

F. Calls forth stern “woes” from the Lord.

Isa 5:8 "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!"

Amos 6:1-6 "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! 2. Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border? 3. Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; 4. That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; 5. That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David; 6. That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."

Hab 2:9 "Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!"

James 5:1-5 "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter."

Luke 6:24-25 "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep."

VI. The Blessing of Using Material Riches for God’s Glory

Mat 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Gal 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

Eph 4:28 "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

Phil 4:17-19 "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

VII. So Let Us…

Psa 62:10 "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."

John 6:27 "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

Mat 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Mat 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Luke 16:9-11 "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"

1 Tim 6:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Rev 3:18 "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."

Conclusion

God’s economy will not fail. When the treasures of this world fails, then it will be our privilege to prove that we have the true treasure – the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We long to share this treasure with the world now, but it seems that most in the world don’t want it. But when the fleeting riches of this world begin to vanish, surely some will look to those who are unshaken by the trials of this world. If we are going to be unshaken, we must live by God’s economic principles now.
So let me suggest two primary areas of concern…

1. Prayer.

Let’s be careful how we pray. It is obvious that even the best financial minds are gravely concerned about the US economy and the world economy. And yes, we can sympathize with those who are personally suffering because of what is happening. BUT be careful that you don’t pray that God will fix our economy. Don’t forget what is most important – that God be glorified. Economic distress may be the very thing that causes multitudes of people to question their current system of security and ultimately be driven to repentance and faith in Christ, which brings glory to our blessed Lord. Be careful that you are not praying against the very work of God.
If that seems radical to you, understand that the gospel of Jesus Christ is radical. God didn’t leave us in this world to pray for our comfort and the comfort of others; He leaves us here to point people to Christ, that the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward of His suffering. If He wants to accomplish that through difficult trials, we must be willing to walk with Him in the fires of affliction.
Brothers and sisters, let’s pray that God be glorified and that people be drawn to the Savior.

2. Let us beware of the idolatry of covetousness in our own lives.

Friday night I began to sense that the Lord wanted us to look at these concepts this morning. Saturday morning I received the mission update from Sean Scott. Please allow me to read to you the closing section, just as it appears in the update…
Everywhere you turn here there are idols. There are probably 20 billion idols in this country…maybe more. They are easy to see. They look demonic. They are usually some half man half animal creature with at least 4 arms. Anyone walking into this country would easily agree with Paul when he saw Athens and say this country is “wholly given over to idolatry”. But the bottom line truth is America is the same way! And as many of you know Americas idol ($$$) seems to be in big trouble right now and unable to deliver those who are trusting in it. People think the idolatry here is bad because it SO obvious. It’s easy to look at and see how sick and perverted it is. But the idolatry of money, possessions, comfort, etc. is NO different. God says that covetousness IS idolatry. All idolatry is sin and NO idolater will enter the kingdom of God. Whether you physically bow down on your knees before some demonic statue or with your heart you bow down and serve money, it makes no difference to God. It’s all the same. God lumps them all in the same class and excludes all idolaters from his Kingdom. I don’t know what lies ahead but if things keep going they way they are it’s only going to get worse. And if you’re secretly in your heart trusting in money, seeking possessions, and living for this life - even if you claim the name of Jesus, you’re going to be like the man who built his house on the sand - one who hear the word of God but doesn't obey. (Matt 7). Your ruin will be great, your life will be a disaster, and you’ll end up in Hell. I pray that before things get worse that you will evaluate your heart/life in light of God’s Word. Let the Lord begin to expose any sin in your heart and truly begin to trust and obey Jesus. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:11)

May the Lord give us grace to no longer be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to the glory of God.

Prayer

Benediction: 2 Cor 8:9, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."