Hello ,
I just read an article about how many of todays super athletes with super salaries are broke. They have 200 million in the bank, yet they burn through it and find themselves in court. Evander Holyfield, the famous boxer finds himself in court for being behind on child suppport $9,000.00 and his home being auctioned off because he is 10 million behind on his mortgage payments. When asked why he felt the need to have a 109 room, 17 bathroom mansion, he said he felt the need to have such a place. Ed McMahon, Johnny Carsons sidekick on the tonight show for decades, ( for the younger crowd, Johnny Carson was Jay Leno’s Predecessor), anyway, his mansion is also in forclosure. The 90’s and early millenium have definantly been the era of excess. If you have enough money, you can do, or have anything your heart desires, that is, ahem, except Salvation. Yes, that is one thing that is still not for sale.
We have become a nation that delights in being a throw away society, where we don’t feel important unless we have a 500 dollar purse on our arm, or an expensive watch to impress others. Fortunately, I think we are beginning to see the error of our ways a bit. None of this stuff is a bit important, it will all rot away with time, but our souls will not, they will endure for all eternity, and how we live this life will determine how we live the next. As Christians, do we not need to stand out from the world, and show them that Christ does make a difference in our lives. To people who are searching for more in their lives, it is a contrast when we tell them about Christ and his sacrifice for our salvation, and then we appear to be wrapped up in materialism just like the world. Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying it is bad to have nice things, it is just wrong when they become the major focus of our life. God should always be number one. Anyway, those are my thoughts, Comments?
In Him
JFT
I wholeheartedly agree. Part of the problem is that we have pastors and evangelists falling into the snare of the Emergent Church, Prosperity Gospel (a part of which is the name it and claim it movement), and similar nonsense. These preachers walk in with $1000+ suits, Rolex watches, and limousines and tell people that God wants to make them healthy and rich, and if they just give now He will do that. Guys like Kenneth Copland, Benny Hinn, etc. If you want more info, check out this great video on the subject: http://www.justinpeters.org/
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(Gal 6:14 KJV) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
I agree as well, Jim. With all the wealth that we have in America we could easily end world hunger, homelessness, & preventable disease worldwide 20 times over. Of all the things that Jesus taught, one of his main teachings was taking care of “the least of these.” He told us in Matthew 25, “What you did not do for the least of these, you also did not do for me.” It terrifies me to think of the sheer amount of things that we have not done for the least of these.