God Money And The Blessed Poor. André Cronje

then are not able to do that, then why worry about the rest? See the flowers, how they grow. They neither spin nor toil, yet Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of them. If God then so clothes the grass, which is today in the field and tomorrow burns by fire, how much more will he not clothe you, you of little faith?

      Fear not my little flock for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms. Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, and treasure in heaven that fails not, where thieves can’t reach, nor the moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will you find your heart.

       5. Cash In The Bank

      When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation, since the hand that gives is above the hand that takes. Money has no motherland. Financiers are without patriotism and decency, their sole object is gain. _{Napoleon Bonaparte}

      Money in the Bank has everyone's interest. For a rich man's wealth is his god. But Mammon will always be an inferior god to the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Yet it competes for the hearts of men. It puts up an impressive show of power, promising you a world of comfort and safety. It flaunts itself and takes you many places, but so quickly lets you down like a rundown battery in need of a recharge. It is an unfaithful lover that makes you look and feel good. And like a harlot it changes hands without conscience or shame. The world's your oyster and then without warning it inflates or loses value while you crash and burn over a pile of debt caused by the loss of income and unemployment. But Mammon is a guru in motivation that gets you up and going when you follow its principles with passion and resolve. Soon you find yourself on top of your game again, and as you know, everybody loves a winner.

      Money plays you well and keeps you hooked with lust and greed, wanting more like a junkie on coke or acid. You dream of Las Vegas, the Bahamas, and off you go to the house of the rising sun never to hear the whisper of the risen One calling your name. Perhaps you are fortunate and wisely avoid easy money, slots, and scams, to happily follow the proven path up the ladder. Your prosperity knows no end, and money makes you shine like a diamond. You are covered with policies, assets, and portfolios all fortune 500 listed. Your paper is imported, and your signature a collector's item. Finally, your name is printed on every invitation, yet you take no account whether it is recorded in the Lambs book of life.

      Carpets turn red, while the fans keep you cool in the crazy heat of summer. You're a shooting star, and if you burn long enough, people would claim you're a god(ess) heading for the sun. Life's a party, and you never have to save a penny, for another day. You wine and dine with caviar and champagne, and your tea is imported by the masters of a forbidden trade. Your presence anywhere is a crowd magnet, yet a reed in the wind. That's how you live and die. With pride on your wall, you believe the web of lies that money, success, family, and friends are all that matters. Notice how God is missing.

      You have clothed yourself with the fat of the land while milking the poor and needy for a nickel and a dime. You got away with murder, theft, and secrets, not to mention adultery, and those sins everybody does it. You have no care, no worry, and no fear in the world. You rock and roll like the king of old. But with all this media publicity hype, you still can’t escape the moth in your closet and the thief in the night. Your money has an answer for everything, but when depression hits, it’s as dumb as an idol. It boosts your confidence and lifts you above the rest. Still, you’re one breath away from ashes in a tiny jar. Your Botox, medicine, and plastic surgery make for a photo-shop finish, but not even the most advanced mummy can escape that coffin worm. You keep buying time for money, hoping death would go away. You avoid truth and light, while incognito dark demon invested places. Is eternal darkness really the end you want? Heaven cannot be bought or bribed. Jesus is the only way and light that can save an entire household.

       6. Jesus And The Rich Kid

      Whenever Jesus taught he always provoked men to ask important questions. And so it happened that a rich young ruler came running up to Jesus, kneeling down he asked: Good Master what must I do to get eternal life. Jesus responded, why do you call me good? There is none good but one, God. Do you know the commandments? Don't commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, defraud not, honor your father and mother. And he answered: Master, all these have I observed from my youth. And Jesus beholding him loved him. Then he said to him, there's one thing you lack. Go your way and sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back to take up your cross and follow me. But when the rich young man heard this, he became sad at that saying and went away depressed for he had great possessions. Then Jesus remarked, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom.

      Did you notice that Jesus loved this young man? Jesus also saw his potential value was hidden underneath his velvet status and fortress wealth. He probably came from an aristocratic family who gave him a proper education but also taught him to keep the commandments of God, which he did. He was influential, smart with a firm religious belief. But one thing was missing that would have made him perfect. Only a true master, teacher could dare to speak such a truth that would cut to the heart of his students and followers. But when he heard the answer his weakness was exposed. He was strong in gather temporary wealth but weak in letting go of passing riches to acquire eternal life which he was short of. The price of salvation is so high that no man can afford it. That's why Christ who was rich became poor that you and I through his poverty could become rich. And so this rich young rich ruler walked away from the best deal any man could ever be offered. You see class, status, wealth nothing of this matter to him but the heart of a man whom he created.

      For the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a certain piece of land. And when someone stumbles upon it, he hides it, and for the joy thereof, he goes and sells all that he has, just to acquire that property and the treasure thereof. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl collector who found a pearl of high value and decided it's worth selling everything else just to get that one.