Thursday, August 25, 2005
God called the man in Luke 12 a fool because when his business produced a surplus, he used the extra to build bigger barns and take his ease. How will ministers ever convince people that the rich fall into a snare (I Tim 6:9) when they themselves will not apply the teachings of scripture against prideful luxury? If it really is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich man to enter into heaven, why do God's people have such a lust for riches with some of the ministry leading the way? "Fool" is what God calls people who use their surplus to increase their own comforts and pleasures. Brothers, while we preach the gospel of simplicity we live lives of complication. While we build bigger and fancier homes our savior had not where to lay his head. While we drive vehicles of excess and luxury, our Master rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt. The wise steward knows that his money is not his own and it all belongs to God. The fool thinks that money is given to him only to increase his comforts and yet the Bible says, do not lay up treasures for yourself on earth. God does not prosper a man so he can go from a Chevy to a BMW or from a moderate ranch style to a Mansion. Why are Christians today shaped in their thinking by the world? "If you earned it, you deserve it, it's yours" Is that not of the world? Love not the world, neither the things in the world. Why are we not content with a "wartime" simplicity of life? Does your home and clothing and cars send the message that you are just a sojourner or rather that of heedless unconcern for the poor and suffering? Do you justify your extravagance by saying what a "good deal" you got on your luxury? What should a pastor be wearing and driving and living in knowing that every day 24,000 people die of starvation? Since when did the ministry need a six-digit lifestyle even if they have a six-digit income? Brothers, teach your people that copper will do.
posted by Steve Stevens at
1:19 AM
