BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XII)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (Part XII)

In our attempt to portray the PERSON and WORK of JESUS CHRIST, we delve into his TEACHING MINISTRY, focusing on the gospel message that is deemed to be the greatest in human history, the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew, chapters 5-7)  Today we examine Christ’s teachings on Possessions and Money.   The central theme of His message is that we should never obsess or worry over financial issues because, as children of God, we are sure recipients of divine care.

This is an urgent message that contradicts the essential element of contemporary thinking, our mad (and maddening) quest for more and more.  The message of Jesus is summarized in three scripture verses:

Matthew 6:19-21

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Our treasure, i.e. the thing we value most, ultimately becomes the thing we seek most.  As such, it dominates our time and drains our talent, stripping us of ‘the mother lode’ of treasures, an authentic and intimate relationship with HIM.  Therefore, Jesus insists, “you cannot serve God and mammon [riches].  His statement rests on a wisdom analogy, that it is fundamentally impossible to serve two masters.  The inevitable result is favoring one or the other with greater love or loyalty.  This is the underlying reason for Christ’s admonition to the twelve: “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:23)

The contemporary church views Christ’s forgoing assertion with a degree of skepticism since so many have sold out to an Americanized version of The Gospel that exalts prosperity and property over relationship and righteousness.  Hear this: Riches are not evil, in and of themselves.  However, the intent of our hearts can be.  Some years ago at the West Coast Azusa Conference, I heard Pastor Benny Hinn teaching on this subject; he made a statement I shall never forget: “If the gospel that we are preaching is only true in America, and if it is not true in the poorest of third world nations, then it is not the gospel at all.”  AMEN!  No one is suggesting that Christ does not desire to bless His people.  However, the implication that divine blessing in designed to transform us into poster children of wealth is both absurd and unbiblical.  Wealth is never intended by Christ to be an end, in and of itself.  Rather, we must become conduits and channels of blessing for the liberation of lost souls, the building of the Kingdom of God.

Therefore, while we must be responsible providers for our families, we should never become overly anxious about food, clothing, shelter, or financial security.  Why?  Because, according to Jesus, life is “more than food and the body more than clothing.”  According to Jesus, such matters become the principle focus of non-believers.  Since our “heavenly Father knows that [we] need all these things,” it is incumbent upon us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added.” (Matthew 6:25-34)

As a result, during the first phase of Christ’s evangelical commission, He issued a curious set of directives:

Mark 6:7-9 (NKJV)

⁷ And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. ⁸ He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— ⁹ but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

From today’s vantage point of prosperity seeking, this command not only seems unreasonable, but patently absurd.  Nevertheless, Christ’s intention was obvious: We must always depend on Him. 

I have no desire to magnify myself, but I must offer a personal testimony.  In 2010, my wife and I relocated to South Africa to serve as resident missionaries.  We had no denominational fiscal support, but various pastors and churches did share generously with us.  However, we left the USA totally by faith, with insufficient funds to sustain ourselves in Africa and to keep everything intact at home.  But oh…how we love Jehovah-Jireh!  For one year, we were able to minister and sow (tangibly and generously) into the lives of others, AND at the same time, we were financially sustained (FULLY SUSTAINED) by our trust in HIM.  GOD miraculously supplied all our need. (Philippians 4:19)  Our monthly mortgage for our Connecticut home, our car note, our credit card bills, etc. were never late…and all our living expenses in Africa were handled by Our Father, in a timely and complete manner!  We often reflect on this fiscal miracle; and, we are eternally thankful.  You see, the promises of Christ are steadfast and sure.  When we seek FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD, all other things are added unto us.  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!