19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mathew 6.19)
There is a no difference between capitalism, the free market economy, and greed. Capitalism is opposite of religious values and their god is money. Free market economy is an economy license by government to act whatever it can to bring in money .Greed is the primary driver unbridled by any controlling ethical or moral considerations of both capitalism and free market economy.
When people and companies and countries take capitalism to the extreme people and businesses lose focus of what is really important and long-lasting and care about profit and making more and more money in immediate future, but it ultimately kills in the long run. Who cares about the long term after all it is all about me and my few millions.
Who preaches humility any more? How about sacrificial giving? How about storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth where moths and rust destroy…? Many churches today preaches Five Steps to Financial Freedom, How to Have a Successful Life, Living the Better Life etc and etc. I must admit my church did the same and I feel blessed after each sermon but if I am not careful with the application what the church teaches I myself will be trap by the greed mentality. The gist of these sermons is that as a child of God, you are blessed beyond measure through God’s way. They are all worldly material blessings and bible didn’t said you will be bless material blessing at all. Christians are blessed with all spiritual blessings, according to Ephesians 1:3
Why would we need to be greedy? If we had faith in the provision of God for our daily bread, then why would we want to be greedy? If we trust God for our provision and submit to His providential care and love, then we would know that He cares for us and provides for us. Somehow these question seems so simple but not easily answerable. All this questions leads up to what do you as individual wants.
If I may put up another angle for you let me describe what greed in my own context. Greed is manifested itself in selfishness and by nature is self-centered. Greed cannot be contracted out of thin air like flu but is birth out in and through people. Greed can be disguised by good nature of a person sub consciously without knowing it. If you are not careful greed can be taken to a higher extreme. Greed is idolatry if you ignorance of Gods provisions in your life and you fashion your life slogan “the way it is”.
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
So how can we practically solve this greed problem? I think you have to ask yourself are you ready to initiate a new life? Well, i believe in practical steps through the teaching of Bible.
Firstly, we first must look at where greed birth from. As I touch earlier greed comes from in and through you. It is practical that you have to build a new nature in life no longer self centered, selfishness or focus on me, I, mine. Allow the word of God pierce through your nature through the working of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word brings revival, God’s teach the things of truth , and live a Biblical life as far as one can. In due time God mortifying the sins in your life through the Spirit working through the Word. I know it sounds simple but in reality it is not. If you don’t try it you wouldn’t know the end of it.
Secondly, we need to be humble and humility to our way of life. I don’t ask Christians to live in poverty voluntarily, but we need to be able to help those in need, especially within our own local congregation, and live a life that reflects the values of our Lord God and not those of the world. Good Christian characteristics build up the life of an individual. Life of an individual reflects the blessing and works of God.
Thirdly, learn to uphold your believe through executing Christians values in your career, places of business or even in with your neighbour. Your thoughts and decisions epitomize the strength of God in you. If you allow greed to seep through your cracks in life in due time you will be broken up.Uphold your values and God will mend all the cracks in your life.
I know it is not an easy subject for all to swallow. I myself must admit i am too see myself struggling to follow the steps i thing a christian should take. Nevertheless, i must strive my first steps to become new nature and hope God and Holy Spirit will guide me.
Money is important but too much money is the root of all kinds of evil enslaving on our lives. Christ never promised it would be easy, but he did promise never to leave us or forsake us, and that he would be with always, to the very end of the age.
God Bless
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Our Life is Full of Seasons
Our life is full of seasons. There are seasons where we find fulfillment in anything we wish for or thing go along your way. Time where your life is full of satisfactory. There are also seasons where everything seems wrong and always against you. Whatever you wish not to think of it you have it. Who said life is a bed of roses so to speak. God didn’t create us to enjoy our life as we wish. God created us to go through a series of trials and tribulation so that we remember who He is. Your life will still have difficult circumstances if you are committed to Christ. All Christian knows that
For example this credit crisis who ever invented this brilliant idea is full of greed. I mean all of us at some level are greed with something but this is pandemonium greed. See so many lives have been affected not only the greed but also the innocent lives. Millions of people out of work and no roof over their head. Worst of all the greed of these institutions who at one hand asking for aid from government for the sake of continue to lend out to this innocent and another hand have the gusto to issue bonuses for the sake of retaining the best of their breed. I mean this is cream de la cream to a pile of garbage. Enough of this mumbling as if I am affected by it. But seriously are you affected by it?
If you are lost on what hits you remember this Christ is your strength in any and every circumstances. “ For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances I know what is to be in need, and I know what is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” Phil 4:11-13
If you grab hold of his strength you will find what you face is lighter not none at all. You will rest and rejuvenate by his love and provision. Even in our weakness when we about to give up and give in to the situation Christ ready to embrace you if you ready to find Him. Gives thanks to Him for all you go through both good and bad.
Well wake up from your pile of troubles and stand out and reach for Him.
God Bless
For example this credit crisis who ever invented this brilliant idea is full of greed. I mean all of us at some level are greed with something but this is pandemonium greed. See so many lives have been affected not only the greed but also the innocent lives. Millions of people out of work and no roof over their head. Worst of all the greed of these institutions who at one hand asking for aid from government for the sake of continue to lend out to this innocent and another hand have the gusto to issue bonuses for the sake of retaining the best of their breed. I mean this is cream de la cream to a pile of garbage. Enough of this mumbling as if I am affected by it. But seriously are you affected by it?
If you are lost on what hits you remember this Christ is your strength in any and every circumstances. “ For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances I know what is to be in need, and I know what is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” Phil 4:11-13
If you grab hold of his strength you will find what you face is lighter not none at all. You will rest and rejuvenate by his love and provision. Even in our weakness when we about to give up and give in to the situation Christ ready to embrace you if you ready to find Him. Gives thanks to Him for all you go through both good and bad.
Well wake up from your pile of troubles and stand out and reach for Him.
God Bless
Thursday, August 6, 2009
God Is Love
Love four essential letter that everyone knows what it is and how it does to you. But seriously how well do we know about love?
I pick up the meaning of love in webster dictionary “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties; attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers; affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests; warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion” . It seems that man’s meaning of love is a set of condition or event which often intensifies into something. In another words man’s love is conditional. Man’s love also touches on emotional and feelings. I am not saying it is wrong since I have the same experience as you do. What happen when the emotion and feelings fall out or dissipate? Will the love dissipate together? I like to thing not all emotional and feelings will fall out for example the love of a parent and a child. No matter what happen and how bad the situation love of a parent will always bind back to hurt and suffering a child could not understand. Love that parents have for their children is as close to unconditional love. We make a choice to love our children even when we consider them unlovable; our love doesn't stop when we don't "feel" love for them.
If man’s love is conditional what about God’s love? Does God love is conditional. Boy! if the Great I Am does we‘ll be in trouble. There are many scriptures from old to new testament teaches us that “God is Love” 1 John 4:8 and God gives us His love no matter what or how you are as John 3:16 said , "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Since God couldn’t stand the sin we have He sent his beloved son to die for us. The act of sacrifice is an act giving and the act of giving is part of God’s love for us before we were even aware why we needed His love. Does God’s love to us sacrificially?. I doubt that strongly otherwise every now and then God will ask back his scarified which is His Son. Love of God is unconditional and he does not use his feeling and emotion to love us. I believe you wouldn’t want that otherwise one day you are in and another you‘re out from his Book of Life. God love us because he is love and by doing this he scarified His son Jesus to die for us just only to bridge the relationship with us.
If you notice God’s love is not selfish. Can you scarify your own son for someone you don’t even know? God’s love is Agape love. Wow what is this Agape love? Roman 8:9 tell us even though you tend to be hostile, rebellious and unwelcome His love he still loves you. God doesn’t care how much you love Him or even bother to love Him but He first registered his love in us. Again God love is not based on emotional. Emotion is from within a person but God’s love is from without. Agape love is of the mind. It is a way of life that actually controls your emotions. So either your are controlling or be controlled by your emotion so to speak.
Another angle to look at God’s love found in the Bible “GOD IS A SPIRIT: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). “… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts BY THE HOLY [SPIRIT] which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit is in fact the love of God in us. To experience God’s love is to have close intimate relationship with Holy Spirit. God gives His Spirit to those who are obedient to what He says (Acts 5:32) If you are not close with the Holy Spirit God can't review the secret of life to you. A departing Holy Spirit means God’s love is distance from you. Have you ever ask yourself why you are so dry spiritually and why you are so down. If you hurt the Holy Spirit God will not forgive you. Because the Father. Jesus and Holy Spirit is the holy trinity. I encourage you to draw closer to Holy Spirit because it is the next best avenue to draw close to God beside Jesus.
So after long explanation let me summarises for you. What is God’s Love?
God’s Love is giving unconditionally.
God’s Love is something you must learned from outside the body. Only God has it not you but God give you the privilege to experience it.
God’s Love is something you must grow into it. Holy Spirit is the agent to help you to draw closer to God.
God’s Love is action and not some temporal emotionally attached to.
God’s Love is something cannot come and go. It is permanent for you. Whether you want it it is there for you.
Struggling to feel His love? Sometime you feel lonely and often ask yourself am I struggling for nothing. If so, you are like many others who long to feel His loving arms around you but, at best, get only glimpses of it in His Word. I believe this is common question we all face on our journey in life. But God has something special for you! No matter how confusing you try to comprehend the Bible of God’s love and knowing that your sin separate both of you and God, God’s love is always there to longing forgive and guide you with every page of His word.
You are not alone belive me you. I am also struggling to find it myself sometimes.
God Bless
I pick up the meaning of love in webster dictionary “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties; attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers; affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests; warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion” . It seems that man’s meaning of love is a set of condition or event which often intensifies into something. In another words man’s love is conditional. Man’s love also touches on emotional and feelings. I am not saying it is wrong since I have the same experience as you do. What happen when the emotion and feelings fall out or dissipate? Will the love dissipate together? I like to thing not all emotional and feelings will fall out for example the love of a parent and a child. No matter what happen and how bad the situation love of a parent will always bind back to hurt and suffering a child could not understand. Love that parents have for their children is as close to unconditional love. We make a choice to love our children even when we consider them unlovable; our love doesn't stop when we don't "feel" love for them.
If man’s love is conditional what about God’s love? Does God love is conditional. Boy! if the Great I Am does we‘ll be in trouble. There are many scriptures from old to new testament teaches us that “God is Love” 1 John 4:8 and God gives us His love no matter what or how you are as John 3:16 said , "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Since God couldn’t stand the sin we have He sent his beloved son to die for us. The act of sacrifice is an act giving and the act of giving is part of God’s love for us before we were even aware why we needed His love. Does God’s love to us sacrificially?. I doubt that strongly otherwise every now and then God will ask back his scarified which is His Son. Love of God is unconditional and he does not use his feeling and emotion to love us. I believe you wouldn’t want that otherwise one day you are in and another you‘re out from his Book of Life. God love us because he is love and by doing this he scarified His son Jesus to die for us just only to bridge the relationship with us.
If you notice God’s love is not selfish. Can you scarify your own son for someone you don’t even know? God’s love is Agape love. Wow what is this Agape love? Roman 8:9 tell us even though you tend to be hostile, rebellious and unwelcome His love he still loves you. God doesn’t care how much you love Him or even bother to love Him but He first registered his love in us. Again God love is not based on emotional. Emotion is from within a person but God’s love is from without. Agape love is of the mind. It is a way of life that actually controls your emotions. So either your are controlling or be controlled by your emotion so to speak.
Another angle to look at God’s love found in the Bible “GOD IS A SPIRIT: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). “… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts BY THE HOLY [SPIRIT] which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit is in fact the love of God in us. To experience God’s love is to have close intimate relationship with Holy Spirit. God gives His Spirit to those who are obedient to what He says (Acts 5:32) If you are not close with the Holy Spirit God can't review the secret of life to you. A departing Holy Spirit means God’s love is distance from you. Have you ever ask yourself why you are so dry spiritually and why you are so down. If you hurt the Holy Spirit God will not forgive you. Because the Father. Jesus and Holy Spirit is the holy trinity. I encourage you to draw closer to Holy Spirit because it is the next best avenue to draw close to God beside Jesus.
So after long explanation let me summarises for you. What is God’s Love?
God’s Love is giving unconditionally.
God’s Love is something you must learned from outside the body. Only God has it not you but God give you the privilege to experience it.
God’s Love is something you must grow into it. Holy Spirit is the agent to help you to draw closer to God.
God’s Love is action and not some temporal emotionally attached to.
God’s Love is something cannot come and go. It is permanent for you. Whether you want it it is there for you.
Struggling to feel His love? Sometime you feel lonely and often ask yourself am I struggling for nothing. If so, you are like many others who long to feel His loving arms around you but, at best, get only glimpses of it in His Word. I believe this is common question we all face on our journey in life. But God has something special for you! No matter how confusing you try to comprehend the Bible of God’s love and knowing that your sin separate both of you and God, God’s love is always there to longing forgive and guide you with every page of His word.
You are not alone belive me you. I am also struggling to find it myself sometimes.
God Bless
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