Poverty and prosperity are topics, today, along with more on aliens, and how believers are equipped by GOD for new experiences and strange encounters. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Pray for the world.” (Level 7 with 53,416 points, a member since April 15, 2011) posted the following:
How does the prosperity of fools destroy them? Is it better to be poor?
We all have some foolishness in us, right? Just wondering what you think. Thanks for responding.
Proverbs 1:32 (KJV)
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Also, not saying it’s okay to be foolish either, but you see a rich person and do they spend money in all the right ways? Not the way you would do it for sure, but people are people and like to think for themselves and do it their own way.
THE BATTLE AXE: Aliens? (09/24/2012)—The benefit Christian believers desire will not come by magic, science or space exploration. Eternal life comes by covenant, divine grace, and love. Some of the clearest demonstrations of human need for divine guidance regarding the things of life are repeatedly seen in the way many seek authority over the truth, and through the truth. Rightly understood, truth is the master and exists having its own excellence, fullness, and integrity. For Christian believers, the imparted Spirit of GOD (also called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Spirit of Truth) establishes a comprehensive description of reality for the mind of man. Men and women in the earth must come to know the eternal being and existence of Almighty GOD through consciousness of their own being as well as through the existence of others like themselves. More than this, mankind must prepare for and receive with balance a divine revelation that necessarily includes what men account as astounding, evil, impossible, impractical, intimidating, miraculous, shocking, and wonderful.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. (Proverbs 28: 5-7, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spiritual Needs? (01/27/2011); Finders, Keepers? (01/26/2011); Things? (11/13/2010); Rich Yet Saved (11/11/2010); Divine Blessing (10/22/2010)
Be encouraged as you consider the following. It is better to be unafraid, and to have the sense that there are alternatives and godly possibilities (some say “freedom”) for addressing ones needs:
Christians who embrace poverty as an important aspect of spiritual life often do so with the understanding that the activity, and concerns associated with money and wealth are obstacles and stumbling blocks to becoming mature believers. Money is seen as a tool of the flesh (appetite—such as hunger, thirst, sexual craving; sensation—such as hearing, seeing, touching; and mind—such as dream, fantasy, imagination, recall), and does not directly and immediately build up or convey the content of ones spirit. Similarly, money is understood as simply another tool supplied by the world (i.e., the system created by mankind to facilitate survival through sharing and exchange of resources). Like language, a butter knife, or a monkey wrench, money does not operate as a living entity; money is subject to “human error;” money has no power of “self-will;” and money is understood as an expression or symbol of such carnal features as human desire, emotion, lust, motivation, passion, pride and self-centeredness.
Affluence and wealth are accounted as “deceitful” in that getting and keeping riches routinely entail hidden risks, and are temporal (last only a short time). As such money and lucre are unpredictable, unreliable, and unstable as platforms for fulfillment of both ones human and divine potential. More than this, many mature Christians regard the greatest “danger” of wealth as centering in how money may determine a person’s self-awareness, and their estimations of others (we say, money “warps a person’s judgment”). While we generally agree, Money can’t buy you love, many withhold affection, respect and trust on the basis of the material goods and property amassed, controlled and owned by themselves as compared to others.
In our present culture, all learn to manage money, and it is common for everyone to have skill with money from children to the oldest seniors. Even so, many are intimidated by money; and are afraid of the important duties, obligations, privileges, responsibilities, and hard work (e.g., accounting, investing, saving, tithing) that accompany having lots of money. Afraid to be labeled as indebted, lazy, proud, selfish, snobbish, or wasteful, there are those who feel money will separate them from loved ones, and that, were they to have money, they would be ashamed, and condemned by GOD. Others mistakenly hold that money should be rejected because it is the source of all sin, and the troubles of mankind. Declaring that money brings out the worst in people—and brings the worst people out—they fail to correctly recognize how the potential for good works is increased exponentially through money. Money is not automatically and necessarily a tool of sin and sinners.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the Scriptures teach that, where the love of money dominates human awareness in place of the Holy Spirit from GOD, that love (not money itself) is the root of all evil—the foundation and underlying cause of upheaval, calamity and disaster (not wickedness). The exaggerated fear of money is no different than the exaggerated love of money. Thus, fear also can be the root of all evil; and where money is feared, loved or held in awe, money is then exalted and worshiped as the false god, Mammon.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment