THE GREED GOSPEL - PART 2

THE GREED GOSPEL - PART 2

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Since the beginning of time money has been a fundamental issue for human interaction because it is the physical arrangement, or out working, of a mental or verbal agreement. In essence cash is the external evidence of internal convictions, making it a very serious matter. Even 2,000 years ago people were interrupting the sermon of Christ to ask about money. But what does Jesus say about money? Does He want all of His children wealthy as modern preachers tell us? Is health and wealth really foremost in His mind? How does He respond to this man?
In Luke 12:13 someone in a large crowd yelled at Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me!” Clearly, the man yelling is the younger brother, not the older brother, because the law was clear that half of the inheritance would have automatically went to the older brother… apparently little bro wasn’t okay with how things were turning out. In Luke 12:14 Jesus said to the fella, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” We immediately sense Christ’s frustration because he uses the common appellation “man” kind of like our terms mister or “bro.” Jesus goes on, “Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed!” The greedy interruption prompts Jesus to turn and address the entire crowd with a forceful statement using the imperative of the Greek horao, “Be watching for stuff like this!” And, “Be on guard (like a jail guard) keeping this kind of evil out of your life and out of your soul!”

It’s interesting that Jesus says, “Every form of greed” meaning there are various ways greed assaults our soul. The Bible gives examples, linking greed with:
I. Immorality: Romans 1:26-29 says, “God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, and greed…”
II. Idolatry: Another form of greed is idolatry. Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5-6 says, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience…” According to this text, greed not only drives sexual sin but also idolatry, causing people to put little Buddha’s on their mantel, make icons out of Hollywood celebs, covet luxury cars, buy dozens of expensive shoes, or amass vacation homes as a hobby. We see this truth rocket throughout the Bible; Achan’s greed destroyed his family (Joshua 7), Balaam’s greed prompted Him to curse God’s people (Num 22), Delilah’s greed caused her to sell out Samson (Judges 16), and greed caused Judas to betray the very King of glory (Matt 26). Greed kills!
III. Heresy: Greed is what motivates false teachers. In 2 Peter 2:1-3 it says “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in greed they will exploit you with false words…”

How will u know when someone is preaching heretic doctrine?
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:4-7, “You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. But I don’t think I am inferior to these “super-apostles”. I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about. I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again. Did I do wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?” New Living Translation (NLT) He then makes known to us what is sound doctrine, and gives us the sign to detect heretic false doctrine. In his letter to Timothy, Paul had this to say in 1Timothy 6:5-12: “These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN**. We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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 grieves.” In his final words, Paul charged Timothy to flee forms all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
John D. Rockefeller was once asked about his wealth, “How much does it take to satisfy a man completely?” He joked back, “a little bit more than he has.” In Luke 12:15, Jesus makes it known to us that there is more to life than earthly possessions. He says: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”….. “For what shall it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?” But instead of giving more attention to your spiritual life, False Prophets and teachers tell u how much God has met all the needs of born again Christians in the suffering and death of Christ, and how God intends that you flourish in wealth and health. Some even use material possession to gauge our faith level. They assert that the evidence that you’re a true believer is seen in your “prosperous life” the opposite of which will be contrary to the will of God. I mean is it the will of God that you should be poor? So then if you’re poor, it simply means you are not leaving the life that Christ intends for you to live. The more you keep listening to these kinds of messages week in, week out, on every Sunday Service, you slowly and subconsciously forget the truth that God is more concerned about your Spiritual life than your physical life. Then you begin to desire how you can attain and start to live that “prosperous life”. Its then they start to preach to you about how tithing and giving your income is the “secret” to attaining a prosperous life. They blind your mind with the thirty, sixty, and hundred fold formula that makes you unconsciously turn God into a Money Doubler. As a safeguard against this, Paul advises the people of God to flee the desire to get rich and instead pursue much more important things like righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Take note: There’s nothing wrong with having wealth, as long as you use it well.
As a closing thought, the heroes of the Bible lived in difficult times and battled against deception of their day. Today, deception of every kind is deeply entrenched in the church, like a deadly cancer, difficult if not impossible to remove. Although the Bible teaches there will be deception (2 Peter 2:1-3), it also teaches in 2 Peter 2:9, "...the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment." 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, "Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."

You can read Part1 of this article here: https://steemit.com/steemitchurch/@joejoesky/the-greed-gospel-part-1

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