WHERE MONEY LIES
Satan’s greatest weapon against mankind is money. Through it, he promises prosperity, comfort and happiness, but in reality it breeds poverty, despair and bitterness. Is it any wonder that this time of year represents the peak of money’s importance in people’s lives? Our Savior came to set the world free from Satan and his money lies, because money is the source through which the mark of the beastshall spawn. Don’t let it sneak into you!
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." —Luke 18:22
In order to do your part to fulfill repentance in the sight of Almighty God in the hope that He might restore our withering nation, you must urgently learn to deemphasize money in your life. Time is short. The whole nation failed this test in this past election. Two men presented their visions for America’s future and both revolved around money, each promising wealth and prosperity to their respective constituencies. Sadly, much of the church in America ran after this lie, ignored repentance and put the Sanctity of Human Life on the back burner yet again. God finds this behavior detestable, and none are more guilty than the Church.
As we relate in our forthcoming book The Life, the first thing the Lord taught my family in preparation for leaving our comfortable lifestyle in Texas was who is truly in charge. I was a rising star in the healthcare world, rocketing to the top of the corporate ladder, but God had another plan for me and my family. So, He lost me my job! By His will, I spiraled into seven months of jobless refinement, during which time I desperately tried to run back to the prison from which the Spirit had sprung me. Then, when I had been chastened to listen, the Lord spoke to my heart, planting within me an understanding that I was born a writer, and I was to dedicate my gift for His Glory. Everything my family had heaped up for ourselves in the world was crumbling around us, but an inexplicable peace enveloped us at that moment when I, the covering of my household, submitted my family to God’s will.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Matthew 6:31-33
Nearly a year after seeking first His Kingdom, I finished a book entitledThings Forgotten, a novel about the Conquest of Canaan and a man’s journey to discovering the one true God. Upon completion, my family had just $8.52 left in our bank account, only a week’s worth of food in the refrigerator and no paycheck in sight, but we were at peace. Beyond reason, we held firm to our belief that God would deliver us in reward for our obedience. That’s when I got a call offering me a job to start immediately and an advance to go with it. In my former line of work at my level this was unheard of. It usually takes two months of interviewing before getting an offer, and this one was given with only one phone interview! It also paid better than my previous job had. God surely delivers those who obey Him, and I thank Jesus that He stripped me bare by force, so that I might recognize my spiritual nakedness before Him. I was naked because I had unwittingly worshipped money. I thought I was only being practical, but the Lord taught me how to discern money’s lies.
If you listen carefully, you will hear money lying to you. Every time a customer or boss issues you a paycheck, it says, ‘See how I provide for you. Now you can have food, shelter, clothing, and perhaps enough leftover to buy that new you’ve been wanting.’ If you have spent any time reading the Bible you should know that money is lying to you, but still you find yourself hearkening to his voice time and again, investing yourself in false hopes rooted in this world and storing up for a future that will never be. Ever notice that right at the moment you get that big raise or ink that big contract, the very things you wanted have inflated to a cost beyond your reach, causing you to seek even more money? The principle of inflation is also Satan’s tool, along with greed. Supposing you can afford what you desire, it’s never enough. A person who devotes himself or herself to money always has to have something bigger and better. Unless these worldly chains are broken, that soul will be bound in an eternal prison. Nevertheless, if we earnestly seek Christ, He will step in and break those chains for us, as He did for me and my family. Though we must not run back to prison in the time of testing.
In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” —John 2:14-16
I implore you in Christ Jesus to take the above Scripture to heart. First, consider that you are that temple today and your heart is the holy of holies in which the Spirit of God ought to reside. Is there any room for money amidst God’s Glory? Don’t let your heart be a marketplace in the sight of your Savior, but seek first His Kingdom in everything you do. It is not a sin to make money in this world, but it is most certainly sinful to put any pursuit for money ahead of your devotion to Jesus. Are you afraid to wear Jesus on your sleeve for fear of losing a job or a client? Know then that Satan’s mark shall reside where Jesus’ seal ought to be. But you must apply a more stringent standard, not forgetting Jesus’ rage as He drove out those money changers. Have you ever found yourself putting off God’s work, because you had some appointment to keep in the world? This can take many forms, such as meeting someone on your lunch break who doesn’t know Jesus. You discover this, but cut short your opportunity to share the Gospel, because you have to get back to work or risk being penalized, perhaps to the extent of losing your job. This is to make your Father’s house a market, though you should know that you have been made for worship. No, there is nothing in this world is more important than eternal life.
Chastening yourself to the Lord’s will is not natural. It takes consistent discipline until you find yourself in a place where the clock is no longer important. The whole world must wait when you are presented with an opportunity to share the Gospel or to help a member of the Body of Christ in need. You might lose money on this deal, but you gain so much more, and don’t forget that the Lord will surely provide everything you need. He has for my family without any worldly paycheck or welfare—not even food stamps—for the last three and a half years. I can’t tell you how many times God sent strangers to us with exactly what we needed at exactly the moment we needed it. Nothing is impossible for Him.
If you truly desire to serve your Savior then set your heart on speaking the Name of “Jesus Christ” everywhere you go in the marketplace. Find any excuse to insert His Name into any encounter or discussion. Here’s an example: “Jesus sure helped me get through this day!” See how easy it can be. Now add to it a simple testimony about something Jesus has personally done for you.
Concerning Christmas, buying and giving gifts is not sinful, so long as you are doing so for the glory of your Savior. Accordingly, on the “From” line of ever gift tag, put “Jesus Christ.” This is especially important for your children. Pay credit to the One who deserves all credit. He gave you everything you have, so don’t show contempt for His blessings by accepting praise for yourself, or worse, some fat-man myth called Santa Claus. Do not grieve your Father in heaven any more than you already have by paying homage to magic, but repent and give Christ the glory He deserves.
Furthermore, set aside a portion (I recommend not less than 10%) of what you are spending on gifts for family and friends this year and spend it on strangers, whether they are in the Body of Christ. It’s not hard to find someone in need this time of year, just open your eyes. But tell the receiver, “Thank Jesus! He provides for me, and as His servant I give to you.” Also be prepared to share the Gospel and your personal testimony if they will listen. If they won’t, search for someone who will.
Brothers and sisters, these are simple things you can do to demonstrate a repentant heart to your Savior, but I fear that some of you, or those with whom you share this message will ignore it. Do not let your heart say, “Tomorrow will be just like today or even better,” for this was the complacency that spelled disaster for the Israel of old. God doesn’t require monumental efforts by His Church in order to fulfill repentance, just faith, demonstrated through simple acts of obedience. If we do what is right, God Himself will reduce the mountains that stand in the way of our restoration. So make this Christmas about Christ by following His will, not your own, especially by sacrificing money for doing what is right:
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” —Jeremiah 22:3
Restoration begins with awakening, it proceeds with courage, it becomes reality through faith. In the Name of Christ Jesus, share these words with all whom the Lord has placed in your keep. Amen.
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