DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES (2)

DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES – II

Now thank we our God, is the song popularly called in Latin as “The Magnificant.” We, like Mary should now be saying, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” The circumstances are not favourable. The times are evil. Situation does not warrant us to say this. The challenges around are enormous and they abound. Economy and business are not thriving, likewise the environmental factors are not helping matters. What should our disposition be in these? “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Till we come to this point, phase, stage every other externality would continue to determine whether or not should we praise God. In all things, God remains our only sustenance and with Him we shall surely walk, run on our high places. Hallelujah!!!

HE THAT TRUSTETH IN HIS RICHES SHALL FALL: BUT THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL FLOURISH AS A BRANCH – Proverbs 11:28.

This is one of the dangers of deceitfulness of riches. The day or at what point one starts to feel and trust in riches, is the day and point where falling becomes inevitable. This also is deceitful. How I wish the rich put this to practice not to trust in wealth. Gehazi was deceived by this and got the reward of covetousness thereof. Judas for the sake of money (thirty pieces of silver) missed the eternal rewards reserved for him. What can we say about this. There was a young man who came to Jesus on what to do to have eternal life. When Jesus told him what to do, by and by he was offended for it was recorded that, “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Mind you, he came for ETERNAL LIFE something more than gold and everything good this world offers. Nonetheless, when the requirements were laid bare before him, he turned away sorrowfully – blinded by his riches. This also is deceitful. At any point of our life that we begin to think that the riches and wealth we have are enough and more than anything else that God has to offer us; let us accept this that, we have been deceived! Riches deceived us.

Greed is another dimension of deceitfulness of riches. You might as well have heard some people say, “money is not always enough for the rich.” This is the point to watch out for. For the rich, it is a matter of competition not meeting needs. Oh, if I don’t make more money, I would be washed aside, sidelined or left behind. So, they run after it with all they have got. If you are among those that have been overwhelmed with greed; if I am counted amongst many whose position of riches suddenly became the seat of greed, let us check it now because “…for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Greed overtook Demas, he forsook Paul. Some could be wondering why anyone would leave Paul. Let us think again about Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Why would anyone do that to Jesus Christ? That is part of what deceitfulness of riches is capable of doing. Many have been drifted away because of their quest and their desperation for riches, “WE MUST GET THIS MONEY!” That is their motto – Only Money!

THERE IS THAT MAKETH HIMSELF RICH, YET HATH NOTHING: THERE IS THAT MAKETH HIMSELF POOR, YET HATH GREAT RICHES – Proverbs 13:7

In the context of money now, there is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. I think, in my opinion, that there are some points worth noting and emphasizing here. If our attitude towards riches is that we should have and keeping having without helping people most especially the poor, then we have been deceived because, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Moreover, if our riches come through oppressing others to increase ourselves, then we must have surely been deceived. In this period of trying moment where many are languishing and lamenting, you have more than enough but cannot help that your needy neighbour. Probably, you think if you help your wealth will diminish. That’s a lie. Perhaps you keep blaming them saying “when they would not do what they needed to do on time why wouldn’t they lament.” Ah, that is not a good motive or thought. Don’t let your wealth deceive you, give help! If you acquire riches to a level where you no longer want to or decided not to help, maybe you have been deceived already.

A GOOD NAME IS RATHER TO BE CHOSEN THAN GREAT RICHES, AND LOVING FAVOUR RATHER THAN SILVER AND GOLD – Proverbs 22:1

There was once a man I knew, late though, whose thought about riches had nothing whatsoever to do with good name. He would say then that, “if I sought for money and I came across honour, I would rather be dishonoured to get the money.” Does that sound incongruous, enigmatic right? However strange that may seem to us, we can see that the way of life of most rich men and women is pointing to that direction. No virtue for good name anymore. Blinded by riches causing the generation unborn to suffer for their misbehaviour. Kindly listen to this, your children can inherit your properties or inheritance but none of them can inherit your worth. Put this in record. How many academic certificates do you have at your disposal? Whose name is on them? None of them, I repeat, none of your children can inherit any of them even though you bear the same name chronologically arranged. So why this life of vanity you tend to be leading? Don’t be deceived! In this country for instance, it is clear that riches have deceived many of our so-called leaders (senators, ministers, chairmen, and others). They can do anything for money to a point of putting their good names on the line – that is even if they have any good name at all. Don’t blame, let us work upon ourselves instead. If we start to lead such life, it does not speak well of the person we are in Christ. Definitely, we must have been deceived.

IF THEREFORE YE HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST THE TRUE RICHES? – Luke 16:11

To worsen the case at hand, many have decided to choose riches over God. What a degradation! It is well. No, it is not well at all. If we find it hard to manage the little wealth (I call it little wealth because no matter the amount or worth you have now, God has better things for you) God has given to us now, how can we manage the abundance He has for us. Many employees are defaulters in this – always robbing and stealing from their employers. This is not good! Loving riches more than God is what we should never do. We cannot serve two masters!

DON’T BE DECEIVED GREETINGS TO YOU ALL

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