1 Timothy 6:5-8 NLT “These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. [6] Yet TRUE GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS ITSELF GREAT WEALTH. [7] After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. [8] So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”

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How miserable the state of those who pursue wealth instead of God. Our riches can’t save us. We all die or will leave these fleshly bodies one day (sooner than we think). Then what? What happens next is eternal, good or bad. I love the story Jesus tells about the rich man and Lazarus the beggar. Because it shows what’s really important. The rich man is decked out and dines sumptuously every day while Lazarus the beggar desires only some of the crumbs off the rich man’s table. The rich man gives him nothing, and when he dies he goes to hell where he finds himself in eternal torment. The Rich Man looked down on Lazarus when he lived luxuriously on earth but he is now looking up to Lazarus while he is in hell. Yes, the man can see that Lazarus is in heaven. Lazarus dies as well but is carried by the angels to paradise. Wow, how the rolls have reversed! Lazarus had a very rough life on earth and had to beg for his bread, but he is now set for eternal life comforted forever!😊

In this life Lazarus knew what mattered most even though he was a beggar. Lazarus had a relationship with God. Lazarus is the one who was truly rich. Lazarus was the educated or smart man. How many professing Christians repeatedly hear this story about Lazarus and the rich man and still don’t get it???🤔 How many professing followers of Jesus still judge, look down on, even ridicule the needy; beggars, homeless people, folks just like Lazarus?

The world is materialistic. We care more about things than people. This attitude separates us from God. God’s view of the poor is entirely different. Unless we adopt God’s thinking on this we can’t be God’s friend:

James 1:9 NLT “Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.”

Proverbs 14:31 KJV “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”

James 2:5 NIV “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”

Luke 6:20 NIV “Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

Did you know that the whole world will be judged by how they treat the poor and needy? Especially God’s people?😳

Matthew 25:31-46 NLT “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. [34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. [36] I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ [37] “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? [39] When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, WHEN YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU WERE DOING IT TO ME!’ [41] “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. [42] For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. [43] I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ [44] “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ [45] “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, WHEN YOU REFUSED TO HELP THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU WERE REFUSING TO HELP ME.’ [46] “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

WOE TO THE RICH! AND THOSE WHO THINK LIKE THEM!

Jesus says:

Luke 6:24-26 NIV “But WOE TO YOU WHO ARE RICH, for you have already received your comfort. [25] Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. [26] Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”

James 5:1-6 NIV “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of THE MISERY THAT IS COMING ON YOU. [2] Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. [3] Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. [4] Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. [5] You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. [6] You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”

Sadly many professing Christians are in this same boat. They think that wealth is what life is all about. They see God and everything through money. They are halfhearted toward God. It is impossible for them to serve God acceptably as they try to serve Him and money. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus states how wretched and miserable those are who think this way and encourages us to repent:

Revelation 3:14‭-‬22 HCSB “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation says: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. BECAUSE YOU SAY, ‘I’M RICH; I HAVE BECOME WEALTHY AND NEED NOTHING,’ and you don’t know that YOU ARE WRETCHED, PITIFUL, POOR, BLIND, AND NAKED, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

May we not be miserable both now and in all eternity because we have not dealt with the sin called the love of money.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

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