SO YOU WANT TO PROSPER

When I moved into this area almost 50 years

ago I was being influenced by the "prosperity 

gospel".  You know, God wants you rich and

healthy etc.  If I had more money, I could put

more money into God's work, so my thinking

went.

But, ever since I moved here God has been 

shoving the thing of the "widow and her two

mites" under my nose.

"I tell you the truth,' Jesus said, 'this poor

widow has given more than all the rest of

them.  For they have given a tiny part of 

their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has

given everything she has."

(Luke 21:3,4 NLT)

Further Jesus said

"What sorrow awaits you who are rich,

for you have your only happiness now."

(Luke 6:24 NLT)

The other day when reading my Bible God

brought some to my mind who wanted to 

be rich.  Consider:

Achan.

"Achan replied, 'It is true! I have

sinned against the Lord, the God

of Israel.  Among the plunder I saw

a beautiful robe from Babylon,

200 silver coins, and a bar of gold 

weighing more than a pound.  I

wanted them so much that I took

them."

(Joshua 7:20,21 NLT)

You know what happened.  His greed caused

36 warriors to die at Ai and the loss of his 

family and everything he had.

The rich man.

"Good Teacher, what must I

do to inherit eternal life?"

---

"Looking at the man, Jesus felt

genuine love for him.  'There is still

one thing you haven't done, he told

him.  'Go and sell all your possessions

and give the money to the poor, and

you will have treasure in heaven.  Then

come, follow me.'

At this the man's face fell, and 

he went away sad, for he had many 

possessions."

(Mark 10:17, 21 NLT)

I do not need to tell you about the outcome

of this, unless he repented later.

Rich man and Lazarus.

Again, avoiding all the details;

"Finally, the poor man died and 

was carried by the angels to sit beside

Abraham at the heavenly banquet.

The rich man also died and was buried,

and he went to the place of the dead.

There, in torment, he saw Abraham 

in the distance with Lazarus at his

side."

(Luke 16:22,23 NLT)

He let his riches come between him and 

God.  The result, he ended up in hell.

The rich retiree.

You know the story that Jesus told us

of the rich farmer who had more than

his barns could hold, so he decided

to retire, sit back and take it easy:

"But God said to him, 'You fool!

You will die this very night.  Then

who will get everything you worked 

for?

Yes, a person is a fool to store

up earthly wealth but not have a 

rich relationship with God."

(Luke 12:20,21 NLT)

Judas

"Not that cared for the poor - he

was a thief, and since he was in

charge of the disciples money, he

often stole some for himself"

(John 12:6 NLT)

And of course we know that he sold out

Jesus for just 30 pieces of silver.

The out come, Judas has been in hell

for over 1985 years now, and he is 

just getting started.

Then of course there was

Ananias and Sapphire in Acts chapter 5.

They pretended to give all of the money

from the sale of some property, but greed

made them keep some of it back while 

pretending to give it all.  They lied to God

and as a result they both dropped dead.

As and old man near the end of life now

I am content to be poor and have done 

what little I could for the kingdom of God.

If you want to chase after a lot of money

that is between you and God, 

BUT, BEWARE.

 

TODAY'S PROMISE

 

"For the LORD your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

(Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)

TALK OR LISTEN

I confess.

I noticed it first in myself.

Have you noticed that most of us have plenty 

of time to talk.  But very little time to listen?

Perhaps that why the Scriptures tell us;

"Understand this, my dear brothers

and sisters: You must all be quick to

listen, slow to speak, and slow to get

angry."

(James 1:19 NLT)

 

TODAY'S QUOTE

 

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE.

 

I have outlived most of my contemporaries

and would image I am getting close to the 

end of my life here on earth.

But when I reflect back on my life why were

there no great accomplishments for Christ?

For more than sixty years I have wanted to

do great things for Christ.  But, they did not

happen.

Is it very possible that we have been taking

the attitude of the world in wanting to do

great things?

The Lord seems to be drawing a thought 

to my mind.  Is it my mind that wants to 

do great things, but not the will of God for

me?  Is it something else he has in mind

for me?

Remember, it is God that gives us the 

gifts he wants us to have.  He is the one

who gives us our strengths - and perhaps

weaknesses.  He teaches us;

"It is the one and only Spirit who

distributes all these gifts.  He alone

decides which gift each person should

have."

(1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT)

Perhaps I am wanting someone else's gift

and need to consider the little spot God 

has placed me in.

Christ tells us that we cannot even get

into the kingdom of Heaven unless we

become like little children.  The Lord

seems to have been impressing on my 

mind the children's song written by

Ina D. Ogdon back in 1913.

"Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar;

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are.

Refrain:

Brighten the corner where you are!

Brighten the corner where you are!

Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar; 

Brighten the corner where you are!"

TODAY'S PROMISE

 

"So do no throw away this confident

trust in the Lord.  Remember the

great reward it brings you!  Patient

endurance is what you need now,

so that you will continue to do God's

will.  Then you will receive all that

he has promised."  

(Hebrews 10:35,36 NLT)

WHAT ARE YOU TRAINING FOR?

Of course we need exercise for good health.

Especially these days when very few people

work at jobs that requires physical labor.

I know numbers of people who need to 

get off that thing they are setting on and 

do something.  Just move to prove they are

alive if nothing else.

But consider how many people's lives are

consumed by exercise, or sports, trying to 

be stronger, better looking etc.  Yes, it will

help them physically in this life.  But remember,

this life will end shortly.

That is why the Scriptures say;

"Physical training is good, but training

for godliness is much better, promising

benefits in this life and in the life to come."

(1 Timothy 4:8 NLT)

Physical training is good for a few years.

But building a relationship with God is 

a forever thing.

"And just as each person is destined

to die once and after that comes

judgment."

(Hebrews 9:27 NLT)