Category: coveting

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #8

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

Since people usually think about just this life—not the afterlife—they endeavor to preserve and extend earthly life and pleasures as long as possible. In their “Heaven on Earth,” they do whatever they can to accumulate as much wealth as they can; take numerous vitamins and supplements to perpetuate their weakening and aging bodies; and flatter, bribe, or compromise to maintain relationships with family and friends. However, in the end, physical death will take it all away!

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Romans 8:22-25).

Here are three passages to orient us toward the afterlife….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #7

Monday, May 1, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

Philippians 4:11-13: “[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Paul had experienced the full gamut—having all and having nothing, fed and hungry, and so on. No matter his circumstances, he learned something: be content, be grateful, be thankful. His God was with him through it all, good and bad; Christ had strengthened him in every situation, reminding him not to rely on self but on Him!

Notice verse 8, the context of today’s Scripture: “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” Paul was in a Roman prison, anticipating his execution, for the Lord’s sake. “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things…” (verse 11 plus a portion of today’s Scripture).

Paul had been prosperous as Saul of Tarsus, a false teacher in Judaism (see Galatians 1:13,14)—now he had nothing in his prison cell. He had countless Christian “friends” in Asia Minor or Turkey—now they had forsaken him (2 Timothy 1:15). Soon, he would be dead—his health permanently taken from him. Fully aware of all these realities, he penned, “Nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

Herein is adult Christian thinking….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #6

Sunday, April 30, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

Writing today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul was facing some dreadful circumstances. He was incarcerated in a prison in Rome, possibly an underground dungeon (a dry cistern?). The final chapter of this second epistle to Timothy reveals much about the situation (2 Timothy chapter 4):

“[9] Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: [10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. [12] And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. [13] The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. [14] Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: [15] Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. [16] At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”

Timothy is to rush to Rome, as soon as possible (verse 11). Demas, once Paul’s loyal ministry coworker, has abandoned the aged Apostle (verse 10). Other saints, for various reasons, have gone from him too (verses 10,12). “Only Luke is with me” (verse 11). Paul requests Timothy bring his coat that he left behind, suggesting his prison cell is cold (verse 13). He also asks Timothy to fetch some reading material—perhaps actual Bible scrolls (verse 13). Alexander, an otherwise unknown character, has greatly mistreated Paul (verses 14,15). When Paul was tried in the Roman courts, all his friends—including Christians (!)—had deserted him (verse 16)! Lastly, now he awaits his execution (verses 6-8)!

His health is likely poor, he has no money, his loved ones are gone, and he will soon lose his life. Still, those touching words of today’s Scripture are preeminent….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #5

Saturday, April 29, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

People dread losing their money, health, and loved ones. Our family members and friends are dear to us, but let us be sure we understand these facts: our fellowship with them is always subject to change. For example, it is no secret that “the rich hath many friends” (Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 19:4)—until the funds run out! Bribes are quite useful in obtaining friendships (Proverbs 19:6). Moreover, gossiping can destroy relationships (Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 17:9). Relatives and friends grow sick, die, move away, or even shun us due to any number of reasons.

If we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we remember well how He notified His disciples in Matthew chapter 10: “[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death…. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. [37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” See also Mark 13:12 and Luke 21:16.

Christ’s “friends” called Him crazy (Mark 3:21)! His own brethren (half-siblings through Mary) did not believe in Him (John 7:5)! Even His (best) “familiar friend” Judas Iscariot ultimately betrayed Him (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18,21; cf. Matthew 26:50)! If the world treated Him so shamelessly, we should expect them to respond to us in like manner. Regardless of the reason, we are not guaranteed our loved ones will be with us always.

Despite all this bad news, today’s Scripture declares there is plenty of good news….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #4

Friday, April 28, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

In addition to losing their wealth, people fear losing their health—injuries sustained in an accident, a debilitating disease, the increasing limitations that come with the aging process, and so on. As it has been stated long ago, “All the ‘healing’ claims aside, the death rate is still one apiece!” “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Due to genetics, lifestyle habits, environment, and other factors, we all suffer a variety of physical infirmities.

Outlining this curse of sin on creation, the Apostle Paul wrote the following observations in Romans chapter 8: “[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Let us now think about another tragedy, the inescapable reality of losing our loved ones….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #3

Thursday, April 27, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

Another informative passage of Scripture to correct our thinking is in 1 Timothy chapter 6: “[3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

“[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will [wish to] be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.… [17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Having much in this world is not necessarily indicative of worship of God. What is more “profitable” is to worship God and be thankful for what we have. If we have “food and raiment [clothing],” we should be grateful for that. After all, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” With this in mind, fear does not have to control us….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #2

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

What most concerns people today is what has worried them for thousands of years—the loss of their health, the loss of their money, and the loss of their loved ones. Although none of us seek to be debilitated, destitute, or deserted, we are bound to this sin-cursed world and, thus, have not been granted immunity from any of these tragedies. In a literal instant, our life can be changed forever.

For example, read the Parable of the Rich Fool as recorded in Luke chapter 12: “[13] And one of the company said unto him [Jesus Christ], Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. [14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? [15] 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. [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

In a single night, the rich fool lost all three—health (he died), money (he died), and loved ones (he died). Furthermore, most importantly, he also lost his soul in hell’s fires….

The Sins of the Times! #4

Sunday, March 10, 2019

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV).

Friend, you have surely heard of “the signs of the times,” but do you know anything about “the sins of the times?”

Reading today’s Scripture in context once more: “[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Human society, not simply one nation but the whole world, will run rampant with the following 18 sins—self-centeredness, wanting others’ possessions, bragging, haughtiness, slandering other people and/or God, rebelling against parents, never being satisfied, not set apart for God’s purposes, void of expected love, refusing to get along with others, lying to harm others, lacking self-control, savagery, looking down on and hating Christians, betraying each other, making rash decisions and engaging in careless behavior, inflated with self-conceitedness, fonder more of entertainment than of God. What more can we say here? That is our morning newspaper. This is our nightly news report. Here is the homepage of our favorite news website!

As if such conditions are not awful enough, there is an eye-opening qualification in verse 5: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Society will engage in those 18 sinful activities under the guise of “godliness.” They will have a religious or god-like appearance. While claiming to be doing right, championing their work as noble and “fair for all,” (false) religion provides the perfect cover for their duplicity. They call it “progress” and “breaking free from societal norms and old-fashioned thinking:” we can improve ourselves, they say, without God’s involvement. We can be our own god, and do our own thing in life. Let us make our own rules—decide what is right and what is wrong—since we have tossed out sound Bible doctrine….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “If God is everywhere, is He suffering in Hell?”

The Price of Heaven

Friday, May 18, 2018

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5 KJV).

Heaven has an entrance fee—and, friend, you CANNOT pay it!

Our flesh loves to perform. You would think that 10 rules would get someone discouraged, but no! If so much as one rule is kept 90 percent of the time, or all are kept 10 percent of the time, there is boasting. “No, I did not keep it perfectly, but ‘I did the best I could!’ I will try even harder next time!” A performance-based acceptance system, unfortunately for sinners, is an “all-or-nothing” procedure. Even though a sentence may be 99 percent true, one wrong word renders the whole statement false. Likewise, one failure nullifies the “performance” to become (something quite easy to guess)—“non-performance!!”

King David, in today’s Scripture, is confessing to God. David has recently become a coveter, an adulterer, a liar, a conspirer, and a murderer: “[1] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”

Today’s Scripture follows: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Just yesterday, a woman told me that she believed a man went to Heaven because he had given so much money to his church. Like so many, she fails to see the truths from the pen of King David. David knew his problem was sin: he was born a sinner! No matter his “good” works, his sin nature would remain.

Having received a complete revelation from God, we see what David could not. Jesus Christ died on Calvary to be the “propitiation”—the fully-satisfying payment—for our sins (Romans 3:25). Friend, you place before God something other than faith in Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for your sins, and you will be indubitably disappointed when you realize your “method of payment” is permanently denied!

Bent on Being Content

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

“… Supposing that gain is godliness…. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:5-10 KJV).

Most definitely, there is no wagon behind a hearse, but you will be taking your spiritual purse!

In this life, the Bible says we should be thankful if we have only food and clothing. However, “the love of money”—as history bears record to time and time again—has led to ever so many other evils. This is particularly true of religions (the context of today’s Scripture). Human flesh is a pig—it wants more and more and more. Envy creeps in and you become willing to take the life of anyone who has what you want. Yet, after all the effort of trying to gain, gain, gain, we lose it all anyway.

No matter how tightly people try to hold on to their material possessions, they will lose them in the end. Death is the ultimate thief. It takes away our loved ones, it takes away our material goods, and it takes away our life. People can put wads of cash into our pockets as our body lies in its casket for its last viewing. Still, it will profit us nothing because we are not even there anyway. We will be either in heaven or in hell—and earthly wealth is useless in both.

The only thing that matters in eternity is God’s Word because it will never, ever, ever disappear. Friend, if you do not have God’s Word, you have nothing. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (today’s Scripture). You read all about godliness in the Bible, particularly Paul’s epistles. Learn of the spiritual wealth God offers you in Christ, and, friend, be content with it. It is “great gain.” 🙂