It is sad when Church elders must defrock preachers whom God used for many years to build successful Churches, and to hear about former executives of MCI, Adelphia, Tyco, Enron and other business and investment brokers being caught up in financial scandals that land them in prison. Each of these leaders had been blessed and rewarded above their fellows and had no need to engage such schemes. Essentially, lack of biblical moral integrity was the underlying activity that brought about these consequences.
We should all be saddened for each one of them and hope changes occur in their hearts such that greed and wrong priorities will not in the future override contentment and honesty. Following Christ and obeying His instructions are the only way you can learn true morality and make progress to overcome the enemy’s temptations to (by any means necessary) obtain wealth, power, position, fame, and control of other people at any cost. When you make these the prize you seek, you will be receptive to greed, deceit, oppression, manipulative, and malicious activity to get them. Of course, an unregenerate heart and mind may say you are making them a priority to obtain as much money as you can as fast as you can to more elaborately build God’s kingdom. After all, Jesus is returning soon.
However, constantly ask the LORD to search your heart and show you its true desire and help you change to ensure that He is the highest priority. God knows that immorality can capture people’s hearts - yours included. It usually starts small then insidiously grows larger. That’s why the bible tells us to be led by the Spirit, so we won’t follow the immoral direction of the flesh (fallen human nature and its ungodly appetites). Following God’s instruction confirmed by His nature and modes of operation as described by the bible is the only way that you can effectively and continually walk in moral integrity. In this mode, which is available for every Christian, you see through His eyes and draw from His power to make every ungodly thought and temptation captive to His will.
Such integrity is as important in your stewardship of money as it is in marriage, employment, church ministry, business, etc. When it is the base of operation in your heart it will over-rule soulish worldly thoughts that would otherwise direct your actions. A lifestyle of disobeying the LORD might gain the world or what you think is a worthwhile part of it. However, you’ll lose your soul in the process and for eternity when you’re not truly repentant as a result of faith and complete trust in Jesus Christ as Savior & LORD. In addition, like some of the people alluded to in the first paragraph, you may on earth lose the very thing you made your prize (riches, power, fame, position, control, etc.).
In Christ, you have eternal life and all the riches, power, fame, and leadership from His treasury in Heaven necessary to carry out His purpose for you on earth. Make sure your intimacy with Him is your highest pursuit so integrity per biblically-based morals is at the forefront of everything you pursue and every endeavor you undertake. Then, He will have no problem adding these things into your life and you will be able to handle them without letting them control and manipulate you to do things that fail to give Him glory and possibly land you in deep earthly trouble. When He adds them you will truly experience His blessing and reward with no sorrow added to it!
Please pray for this ministry and email me with any questions. May the LORD bless you richly as you follow His plan!
Proverbs 10:20-23, Matthew 6:31-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:6, Galatians 5:13-24
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