In this booklet, we are going to do a little motivational research. In
the natural realm this often is done in order to discern why people
choose or reject certain products. We are going to do some spiritual
research, some gold digging, to examine motives and goals in the
attitudes of our hearts. The goal we are setting our gunsight on here,
is that which is found hiding in the area of prosperity, riches and
wealth. These things surely are the basic goal of our materialistic
society, especially in the western nations. This prompts us to
sincerely ask, "Should they ever become a motivating desire or goal
in our Christian inheritance?" "Should they be a motivating factor or
an incentive in our daily Christian walk?" The answers appear
obvious to most, yet there is an undercurrent of error pulling down on
truth that seeks to surface in the river of life.
Many are God's precious ones in the vast sea of humanity today,
whose vessels are being rocked in waves of such perverted truth
seeking to drown them in a tow of materialism. To those who are dull
of hearing, we stand with the prophets, warning and
admonishing..."Hear ye deaf; and look, ye blind that ye may see.
Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent?''
Isa.42:18:19. Are not these they "that trust in graven images, that
say to the molten images [of materialism], ye are our gods?''
Isa.42:17. But they do greatly err for there is no life in them -
Jer.51:17,18.
Therefore, "His watchmen are blind...yea, they are greedy dogs which
can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot
understand: they all look to their own way, every one FOR HIS GAIN
From HIS QUARTER. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine [joy] and
we will fill ourselves with strong drink [from Babylon's sweet
intoxicating cup of wine]; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and
MUCH MORE ABUNDANT." Isa.56:10-12. They are never satisfied.
"With their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after
THEIR COVETOUSNESS." Isa.33:31. "Behold, this was the
INIQUITY of they sister Sodom, PRIDE, FULLNESS OF BREAD,
AND ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS was in her.. neither did she
strengthen the hand of THE POOR AND NEEDY." Ezk.l6:49. They
are greedy and selfish. These are they who "erred in vision."
Isa.28:7.
MORE IS BETTER, MOST IS BEST?
What was the vision and goal that Jesus saw, taught, and walked in?
Was it worldly wealth, riches and prosperity? Was His gospel a good
news message of partiality? Jas.2:16. If the goal or the motives of
the gospel are in any way in the realm of earthly riches or prosperity,
then those who are continually writing or preaching this in any
measure should be preaching the fulness of it to be the kingdom of
God. They should be preaching that there is an ultimate goal to
attain regarding earthly prosperity and that this is an inheritance that
is available for all. When one is taught to name and claim his health
or wealth according to new or old prescription formulas that are being
peddled as gospel in Christendom today, why not reach for it all,
whatever that may be? Much is good, more is better and the most is
best!
In other words, why settle for anything less than "the most" or "the
best" if these "things" are in God's will? Is there such a thing as
perfection of health in a corruptible body? Is there such a thing as
perfect wealth or natural riches? If obtaining the end of these things
is unrealistic and not God's will, why preach the will of God as being a
part of the gospel in their beginnings? If natural wealth and its close
companion materialism are part of the godly kingdom we are to
receive "which cannot be removed", what then we ask, is that
kingdom "which cannot be shaken" and will remain? Heb.12:26-28.
What we ask, has natural riches got to do with spiritual riches and the
kingdom of God?
The "kingdom of God", its motives, qualities, and attributes of spiritual
riches, are the true goal of the "gospel of the kingdom" (Matt.24:14),
not the carnal, worldly, material things and possessions of the
"kingdoms of this world." Lk.4:1-13. Jesus said, "My kingdom is NOT
OF THIS WORLD." Jn.18:36. Consequently, NEITHER ARE THE
THINGS OF THIS WORLD OF HIS KINGDOM! "For the kingdom of
God is NOT meat and drink [natural worldly things]; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost." Ro.14:17.
The vision and goal of Jesus and of those who would follow Him was
not natural abundance or natural earthly riches and prosperity but
spiritual abundance and wealth. Jesus likened the true kingdom "like
unto TREASURE HID in a field" and "like unto a merchant man
seeking GOODLY PEARLS", who sold all that he possessed of
himself to obtain it - Matt.13:44-46. Are we to search diligently for the
treasure that is to be had in the natural realms of the earth, or rather
are we to search for the hidden treasure of Christ whose true value
longs to be discovered in its full worth within our very own earthen
vessels? 2Cor.4:7.
THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES
Jesus both trampled on, and dispised, worldly things and concepts
which had materialistic values. He declared riches to be one of the
greatest hindrances to obtaining the real true riches of His kingdom -
Mk.10:23, 24. He saw "that the deceitfulness of riches chokes
the word" and saps the power of God in bringing forth the fruit of the
Spirit to full maturity - Matt.l3:22; Mk.4:19; Lk.8:14. Read in
Ephesians 5:25-27 concerning what was one of our Lord's chief
interests and goals in·this earth. · What is yours? Further scripture
studies containing many other scriptures concerning this subject can
also be found in our booklets entitled "The Root Of All Evil" and "The
Deceitfulness Of Riches."
Materialism and all that's involved in its gain and usage can be but a
fuel to feed the fire of human lust. Lust and greed can not only be
the sin of the wealthy, but also of those that have little. Jesus our
pattern Son, sought not to procure or enjoy the things of this world
such as properties, wealth, extravagant luxuries pleasures, success
etc., for He knew them to be tranquilizers of the soul and blinders to
the true vision of the gospel. Jesus prayed for His DAILY BREAD
only, seeking first the kingdom of God and His Father's
righteousness, and all that was necessary for His physical
sustenance such as food, raiment and shelter was given unto Him -
Matt. chapter six. "After this manner therefore pray ye." Matt.6:9.
The Lord is seeking out a people today who as John the revelator,
began to hear of and see a brand new concept of heaven and earth
on the day of the Lord. He is revealing the true vision of His glorious
riches which can do nothing but cause men to see their baseness
before Him - Dan.4:37. He is quickening in the Spirit His Uzziah's,
His Ezekiel's and Daniel's who have understanding in the true vision
of God - 2Chr.26:5 Ezk.3:9,14; Dan.8:15-19.
Like Isaiah, they are beginning to see a true vision of the Lord only,
high and lifted up in exaltation, dominion and sovereignty, the glory of
His garment covering and filling the temple of His body - Isa. chapter
six. Yes, the motive of His saints should only be to lift up their eyes
high enough above the mountains of fleshly problems, to where they
might behold no man, no flesh, "save Jesus only." Matt.l7:8; 1Jn.3:2,
3; 2Cor.4:18.
LIFE'S GOAL
Beloved of the Lord, is your vision lifted high enough yet that you are
beginning to behold the Giver and not what He gives? Come up
higher! Let us closely examine our motives and our goals to see
whether we be looking for the truly beautiful robes of His holiness, or
the deceptive and perishing beauty of the our Babylonish garment.
What are you spending your faith on at this time? Possessing
worldly glory, honour, fame, riches etc., or the possession of His
eternal glory? Is your goal to DIE TO SELF or to LIVE FOR SELF?
Is your goal as an overcoming Christian that of obtaining the best out
of life as is possible? It should be! Yet not out of the abundance of
so called life which the world can give, but out of HIS LIFE.
Know dear saints that only all that is IN HIM is THE ABUNDANT LIFE
- Jn.10:10. Abundant grace (Ro.5:17; 2Cor.4:15), mercy (1Ptr.1:3),
goodness and truth (Ex.34:6), joy (Phil. 1:26), honour (1Cor.12:24), as
well as every other holy virtue and attribute found IN HIM..is abundant
life. Anything apart from this is really in abundant death!
Do you really desire to know what the true wealth and abundant life of
the believer is? Read the first three chapters of Ephesians. We can
claim and speak the word till we are out of breath but the last three
chapters of Ephesians must be walked out in the midst of fierce battle
and warfare. The Lord desires us above all else, to find contentment
in knowing and possessing all of Him; not in earthy things. Paul's
only great desire was "that I may know HIM and the power of His
resurrection." HE IS "the prize of the high calling", "the full reward",
the full inheritance, the fulfilling goal. To seek or ask for anything
less would be like asking for dung - Phil.3:8-15.
Let's do a little further soul searching. Do you love Christ only
because of His anointing and His name? S.S.1:3. Are you part of the
"loaves and fishes" company that follow Jesus mainly to see
something such as a miracle, or maybe just to receive something you
think. i.e.. God's perfect will for you? Do you love Him especially
because He at one time allowed you to be blessed financially? Or
maybe in displaying His mercy, He healed your physical body one or
more times? In other words, do you serve Him for what He does or
gives rather than for who He is? Have you got your eyes on what
your carnal mind thinks are His promises, more than on Him who is
your PROMISE? If so be, then evidently you must not know...that
those who follow and serve God for the benefits of His presents rather
than His intimate presence, are really beggars, not true priests,
princes or kings - 2Kgs.24:14; 25:12.
GOLD...IN THE FIRE
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked..." What then are the
riches He wants us to have and how do we obtain them? The Lord
says, "BUY OF ME GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, THAT THOU
MAYEST RE 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." Rev.3:17,18. See what?
See the desires in you become fused in His desires, then you will
want what He wants. His wants are always the Father's will. We
also are to desire only His will. His fulness (Jn.3:34) came as a
result of his emptiness of carnal and earthly ambitions. If He has
called you to serve Him, that's what He wants. The carnal mind and
fleshly body has trouble with this, therefore you must desire to "LET
this mind [and will] be [operating] in you which was also in Christ
Jesus." Phil.2:5.
Too many only want Jesus as their Priest and Saviour who meets
their needs, but they are unknowingly rejecting Him as Christ the Lord
and King. What is our motive? If it is found to be in the law of love,
it will also be the desire to give, not receive - 1Cor. chapter thirteen.
It is a fact that God loves us and wants to meet our needs which are
not necessarily our wants, but He wants to meet them all "according
to HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS." Phil.4:19. Let us
not get overbalanced in the priestly aspect and office of Jesus'
ministry wherein there can quickly and easily become very little space
left on the throne of our heart for HIM! Remember, He is a big and
jealous God. Examine your faith. How much room do YOU have in
there for HIM? He desires you to become a universal mansion -
Jn.14:2.
The spiritual man is centered in Christ only and how best he can
serve Him. The Carnal man is centered in self and how best he can
serve himself. Christ becomes an outsider. One desires Christ only
as King and Lord, the other desires Jesus only, as servant, Saviour
and Priest. The spiritual overcomer desires to press on into unity
with Him, unto ruling and reigning with pure motives, knowing full well
the dying and suffering it will bring to self life now. The other desires
to flee any form of suffering believing it to be out of the will of God;
desiring to return to Egypt and eat of the goodly things of the world,
knowing only fleshly satisfaction and self sufficiency.
Do we really believe we are in the perfect will of God to seek or ask
for luxuries when most of the world is yet stricken in poverty? Should
not we rather be claiming our wants and desires for them rather than
for ourselves who in comparison may have very little real lack. "The
righteous giveth and spareth not." Prv.21:6. How can any honestly
feel that it is the will of the Lord to desire and claim for oneself, that
which has caused idolatry and covetousness in ungodly hearts?
"They that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple." Ro.l6:18.
DECEITFUL MEAT
Why does God pour riches and fame on His seeming worst enemies?
If these things of the world are so valuable and important, why does
He give so much worldly abundance and prosperity to the ungodly
and to those that provoke Him? Jb.12:6. "Wherefore doth the way of
the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very
treacherously?" Jer.12:1. You should be able to see the real value of
these things in His eyes if He allows wicked dictators and ungodly
heathen as well as some righteous men to possess them. Therefore,
"Let not thine heart envy sinners." Prv.23:17. "Be not desirous of His
dainties: for THEY ARE DECEITFUL MEAT. LABOUR NOT TO BE
RICH: cease from thine own wisdom.." Prv. 23:3 ,4; Jn.6:27; Lk.9:25.
The children of Israel "lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and
tempted God in the desert." One way they did this was "by asking
meat FOR THEIR LUST" (Psa.106:18), and so "He gave them their
request; BUT SENT LEANESS INTO THEIR SOUL." Psa.106:16.
How many things in our lives Ichabod's or Ishmael's in type, that must
be finally cast out? And so it is with God's children today. If you ask
apart from the perfect will of God for YOU, you will "limit [in the sense
of not trusting in His providence and sovereignty] the Holy One of
Israel." Psa.78:41. Look what happened to Jeshrun [meaning.."a
little righteous"] in his worldly prosperity and fulness. The result was,
"He forsook God... and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation."
Deut.32:12-15. And so it was with many other men of God in the
days of the Old Testament covenants. To further pursue this line of
thinking would make a good separate study in itself.
Paul gives a fitting description of the truly sold out but not boughten,
ministers of the gospel. Those that preach Christ, with godly motives
(2Cor.4:5) of giving what they have in Him (Ac.3:6), and not with
worldly motives of getting what they think should be theirs, are
spoken of in 2Cor. chapter six.."as POOR, YET MAKING MANY
RICH; as having NOTHING and yet POSSESSING ALL THINGS"
2Cor.6:10. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of
their joy and their DEEP POVERTY ABOUNDED UNTO THE
RICHES OF THEIR LIBERALITY...for ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though HE WAS RICH [in glory - Jn.17:5], yet FOR
YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR; that YE THROUGH HIS
POVERTY MIGHT BE RICH." 2Cor.8:9. Rich in what the carnal
mind sees as blessings? No beloved saint, "God hath chosen THE
POOR of this world RICH IN FAITH." Jas.2:5.
TRUE RICHES
We are speaking of the true riches and blessings wherewith the Lord
"hath blessed us with ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS." Eph.l:13. Not
that He can't also bring riches in the natural realm too, but it is in this
truly "wealthy place" (Psa.66:ll) of the Spirit where we find that "THE
BLESSING of the Lord, IT MAKETH RICH, and He addeth no sorrow
with it." Prv.10:22. These are "the TRUE RICHES (Lk.16:11)
"according to THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY" (Eph.3:16) that He
desires His faithful ones to have. These are the "DURABLE RICHES
and righteousness" found only IN HIM - Prv.8:18. And because He is
now in us, this is part of "THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS
INHERITANCE IN the saints." Eph.1:18.
If natural riches are already yours, or if they come your way, "SET
NOT YOUR HEART UPON THEM." Psa.62:10; Deut.8:13,14. "For
RICHES ARE NOT FOREVER: and doth the crown endure to every
generation? Prv.27:24. There are very few Joseph's of Arimathaea
(Mat.27:57) able to truly press into the "high calling of God" in this day
and age of great corruption -1Tim.6:17.
Beloved brethren, it is true that God wants you to prosper [Grk.-to
succeed in reaching a goal]. To attain these godly goals, we
naturally wish our fellow brethren good health in their physical bodies
EVEN AS their soul is spiritually prospering [succeeding in working
out its own salvation - Phil.2:12] in godly success and victory--not
worldly prosperity and success! 3Jn.2. The word of God says,
"POSSESS YE YOUR SOULS. "Lk.21:19. That is God's true will and
that should be our foremost motive and goal! "For then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Josh.1:8.
GAIN IS NOT GODLINESS
In the Lord's eyes, is it more of a blessing to receive or to give?
Ac.20:35. Those that believe and teach that worldly "GAIN IS
GODLINESS: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF." What is
gain? The holy Spirit inspired Paul to write, "GODLINESS WITH
CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN." 1Tim.6:5,6. Is true contentment
found in abundance of things? If you think so and would like to
remain in this state of deception, don't ever do a Concordant study on
the word "content!" That is, unless you really want to know the truth!
Of a truth it is written, "Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give
you the desires of thine heart." Psa.37:4. But if God is truly working
in your heart as Lord, then the desires of your heart will be both to will
and do of HIS GOOD PLEASURE - Phil.2:13. His pleasure is not
necessarily your own pleasure. The goal and "pleasure of the
Lord"(Isa.53:10) is NOT worldly prosperity! God sovereignly gives
you what He wants. And that's not what you might always want.
Often we need His corrective measure first. Father always knows
best.
Many "faith teachings" today, persist in claiming what they believe is
God's will, and more than a few of its adherents end up a victim of
James 4:3, their so-called faith shattered. Natural human faith is
often error filled and presumpteous. Only the words and thoughts
and desires that have their source in God's heart and will and truth,
and come forth from His Spirit and mouth and not ours, are those He
will fulfill. And these in His timing, not ours, all according to His living
"rehema" word. Remember this. Satan, although under the
sovereign providence and power of Almighty God, has a controlling
interest in this world's motives, goals and goods. He said, "to
whomsoever I will, I give it." Lk.4:6. There is a power in the spoken
word all right, but let us examine our motives in demanding what we
only may think are God's blessings for us - Prv.16:1,16.
A self-centered man pleasing perversion of truth filling the carnal
minds of the church today is prevailing over many of God's precious
ones, but the Lord is using it to separate the wheat from the tares.
Many order things from God which they believe thy should have,
claiming and demanding whatever they desire, which may look "good
for food", "pleasant to the eyes" and may be "desired to make one
wise." Gen.3:6; 1Jn.2:16. They insist they should have their
demands and they believe they are operating according to true
biblical principles. But does this not somehow relegate God Almighty
to performing man's own will?
Compare this concept to a father-son relationship in the natural. If
the father positively and willingly complies against his own better
judgment, he would soon have very spoiled children. The children
actually have gained sovereignty and control over their father. So
with over-balanced faith teaching, it relegates God to the weakness of
a man, bowing to man's desires, rather than being sovereignly in
control of all things. Therefore saints, lift up your vision to where
"thine eyes shall see THE KING in His beauty." Isa.33:17. When you
begin to behold Him "face to face" (1Cor.13:12) you shall begin also
to see, that love "seeketh not her own" satisfaction but rather seeks
only to satisfy your Lord and King.
COVETOUSNESS JUDGED
Long enough, has the whorish queen of Babylon lived richly in her
kings [Satan's] palace, [even the unredeemed soul] feeding her lust
on her luxuries in every realm of life (Rev.ch.18), or rather we should
more correctly say death - 1Tim.5:6. "How much she has glorified
herself and lived deliciously." Rev.18 :7. But God Is declaring, "O
thou that dwellest upon many waters [in the natural realm these are
nations, groups of peoples, churches, individuals], abundant in
[ungodly] treasures, thine end is come and the MEASURE OF THY
COVETOUSNESS" (Jer.51:13) is about to be judged - Rev.ch.18.
God's judgment of Tyre and Sidon in Ezk.28 is also a type of the final
judgment of this world's ungodly systems; systems which stem from
and reflect the fallen principalities and powers which are in a parallel
realm in the unregenerate soul of mankind.
"I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon...As Babylon
hath caused the slain of Israel [even the church] to fall, so at Babylon
shall fall the slain of all the earth." Jer.51:47-49. "For I have set my
face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the Lord."
Jer.21:10-14. I will punish the princes and the kings children, and all
such as are clothed with strange apparel [which apparel is the wealth
that carnal men desire - Zec.l4:l4; Isa.4:1; 3:16-26]...neither their gold
nor their silver shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's
wrath." Zep.1:8-18; Jb.20:28; Jas.5:3. They that think "gain is
godliness" and that earthly abundance and prosperity is their portion
of the Lord, the word of the Lord strongly admonishes..."Woe unto
you.."Jn. 6:27; Lk.6:24,25; Isa.28:1; 31:1; Habk.2:6,9.
Therefore, come, "ye who mind earthy things" (Phil.3:19) begin to now
"set your affections [your corrected motives goals etc.] ON THINGS
ABOVE NOT ON THINGS ON EARTH." Col.3:2. Seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of the
Farther." Col.3:1. "Ask, seek, and knock" (Matt.7:7; Jer.29:13;
1Jn.5:14) and you will discover that it is not the temporal earthly
things that are the will of God for you to claim or inherit but rather the
King and all that is laid up in His great city [whom you are] that shall
descend out of heaven from God (Rev.21:10; Heb.11:10), are your
rightful possessions. This is the only kingdom that cannot and shall
not be moved - Heb.12:28. In rightfully and legitimately seeking this,
you shall not be ashamed - Heb.11:16. Let us pray to our Father....
...."Remove far from me vanity and lies: Give me neither
poverty or riches; feed me with food CONVENIENT FOR ME."
Prv.30:8
