Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
And a fine good morning to you my worthy Friends, Neighbours and fellow believers in Christ! Today’s another cause for celebration, for we’re still alive to smell the roses and enjoy the many wonders of nature. Unfortunately though, we also have to put up with the topsy-turvy antics of life. And despite the fact that for many of us this earthly sojourn is a bitter battle, we’re not ready yet to give it up for the other life. We prefer to stick it out down here as long as possible, in the hope that we’ll eventually hit the jackpot, strike it rich, accumulate much earthly wealth so we can then lie back and live like a proverbial king. But Friends remember what happened to the man, the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, who had so much that he couldn’t store it, so he decided to break down his small barns and build bigger ones, but the Lord called him home that very night. Oh my people, we don’t have to run behind the garish wealth of this world, we can overcome whatever afflicts us and live a good, healthy, productive life if we just place our faith and trust in Jesus. Sol warned us long ago of the perils of pinning our hopes on earthly wealth. ‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath:’ And it’s so true, for come the day of judgement and justice, the Lord’s not going to ask how much earthly wealth we possessed, but rather what good we did with what we had? Did we share with a kind heart, did we help the sick and lonely, the poor and hungry? That’s what the Lord’s interested in, not how much you had. And they quite rightly say payback’s a bitch, for here’s what’s going to happen when that time comes. This is courtesy of Ezekiel. ‘They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed (like refuse): their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels (stomachs): because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.’ (Ezek.7:19) Yes mih breddren, when the dung hits the fan, all our earthly wealth will be of no use, for in many cases it’s our running after, our overwhelming desire, incurable addiction to amass worldly treasure that detracts us from serving God. Now listen to Zephaniah’s take on the subject. ‘Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance (end) of all them that dwell in the land.’ (Zeph.1:18) Yes mih people, it won’t be easy. Jeremiah’s words weren’t as harsh, but detailed the same terrible destruction. ‘Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil (as plunder) without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders (territories).’ (Jer.15:13) Oh Friends, these are certainly difficult times, because the Lord’s angry at our ungodly, sinful behaviour, and many of us are having it hard to make both ends meet. But please, I beg us please, let’s not go running foolishly after the almighty dollar. Note how many of the supposed rich are no longer rich. They erroneously believed that their earthly wealth would protect them from anything. Sadly though, it hasn’t from the anger, turmoil and havoc the Lord is wreaking on our world. So please, let’s not make money the main focus of our lives. That most honourable position is reserved for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave His innocent life in a horrific death so that we could be cleansed of our sins and made right with our Heavenly Father. Now isn’t that worth much more than all the world’s riches? We can’t really put a real value or true price on any man’s life, much less the one and only Son of God. Oh my Friends, it’s so humiliating, debasing and degrading to put the world’s filthy lucre ahead of serving Him. We all need money to live, and sometimes the more the merrier, but we should NEVER, NEVER put it ahead of serving Jesus. We must listen to Sol’s warning that ‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth in the day of death.’ And the most wonderful example of that is this scripture. ‘And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.’ (Gen.7:1) Amen mih people! What a wonderful compliment! Perhaps the best we can ever get; being considered righteous by the Most High God Jehovah. That says so much about Noah… Oh, I wish we could all be like that! There I go dreaming again. (smile) But note it’s another big dream. And just like the LOVE blanket and the LOVE revolution, it’s doable, if we really mean it. So I’m imploring us today, let’s all seriously work towards obtaining that wonderful compliment of righteousness from our Heavenly Father. If we put our hearts and minds to it we can be successful. And the Father will certainly help us accomplish it. And Friends, what a great present, real glorifying honour that would, no, that will be for Jesus Name, cause we’re going to do it. Before we close though, let’s remind ourselves with the words of Jesus, re the foolishness in chasing after earthly baubles. ‘And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth…But rather seek ye the kingdom of God…’ (Luke 12:15,31) Friends, let’s turn this violent, greedy, sinful, ungodly world around nuh, for Jesus’ sake. Much LOVE!….being poor….won’t stop you from entering heaven…but being rich….most certainly can…
And a fine good morning to you my worthy Friends, Neighbours and fellow believers in Christ! Today’s another cause for celebration, for we’re still alive to smell the roses and enjoy the many wonders of nature. Unfortunately though, we also have to put up with the topsy-turvy antics of life. And despite the fact that for many of us this earthly sojourn is a bitter battle, we’re not ready yet to give it up for the other life. We prefer to stick it out down here as long as possible, in the hope that we’ll eventually hit the jackpot, strike it rich, accumulate much earthly wealth so we can then lie back and live like a proverbial king. But Friends remember what happened to the man, the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, who had so much that he couldn’t store it, so he decided to break down his small barns and build bigger ones, but the Lord called him home that very night. Oh my people, we don’t have to run behind the garish wealth of this world, we can overcome whatever afflicts us and live a good, healthy, productive life if we just place our faith and trust in Jesus. Sol warned us long ago of the perils of pinning our hopes on earthly wealth. ‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath:’ And it’s so true, for come the day of judgement and justice, the Lord’s not going to ask how much earthly wealth we possessed, but rather what good we did with what we had? Did we share with a kind heart, did we help the sick and lonely, the poor and hungry? That’s what the Lord’s interested in, not how much you had. And they quite rightly say payback’s a bitch, for here’s what’s going to happen when that time comes. This is courtesy of Ezekiel. ‘They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed (like refuse): their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels (stomachs): because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.’ (Ezek.7:19) Yes mih breddren, when the dung hits the fan, all our earthly wealth will be of no use, for in many cases it’s our running after, our overwhelming desire, incurable addiction to amass worldly treasure that detracts us from serving God. Now listen to Zephaniah’s take on the subject. ‘Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance (end) of all them that dwell in the land.’ (Zeph.1:18) Yes mih people, it won’t be easy. Jeremiah’s words weren’t as harsh, but detailed the same terrible destruction. ‘Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil (as plunder) without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders (territories).’ (Jer.15:13) Oh Friends, these are certainly difficult times, because the Lord’s angry at our ungodly, sinful behaviour, and many of us are having it hard to make both ends meet. But please, I beg us please, let’s not go running foolishly after the almighty dollar. Note how many of the supposed rich are no longer rich. They erroneously believed that their earthly wealth would protect them from anything. Sadly though, it hasn’t from the anger, turmoil and havoc the Lord is wreaking on our world. So please, let’s not make money the main focus of our lives. That most honourable position is reserved for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave His innocent life in a horrific death so that we could be cleansed of our sins and made right with our Heavenly Father. Now isn’t that worth much more than all the world’s riches? We can’t really put a real value or true price on any man’s life, much less the one and only Son of God. Oh my Friends, it’s so humiliating, debasing and degrading to put the world’s filthy lucre ahead of serving Him. We all need money to live, and sometimes the more the merrier, but we should NEVER, NEVER put it ahead of serving Jesus. We must listen to Sol’s warning that ‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth in the day of death.’ And the most wonderful example of that is this scripture. ‘And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.’ (Gen.7:1) Amen mih people! What a wonderful compliment! Perhaps the best we can ever get; being considered righteous by the Most High God Jehovah. That says so much about Noah… Oh, I wish we could all be like that! There I go dreaming again. (smile) But note it’s another big dream. And just like the LOVE blanket and the LOVE revolution, it’s doable, if we really mean it. So I’m imploring us today, let’s all seriously work towards obtaining that wonderful compliment of righteousness from our Heavenly Father. If we put our hearts and minds to it we can be successful. And the Father will certainly help us accomplish it. And Friends, what a great present, real glorifying honour that would, no, that will be for Jesus Name, cause we’re going to do it. Before we close though, let’s remind ourselves with the words of Jesus, re the foolishness in chasing after earthly baubles. ‘And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth…But rather seek ye the kingdom of God…’ (Luke 12:15,31) Friends, let’s turn this violent, greedy, sinful, ungodly world around nuh, for Jesus’ sake. Much LOVE!….being poor….won’t stop you from entering heaven…but being rich….most certainly can…
SCRIP-BITS 