For Us or Against Us (4)
John the Revelator wrote to the seven churches in Asia what Jesus Christ revealed to him through an angel. In John’s letter to the church in Laodicea, he cautions the church against being lukewarm. The church struggled with materialism which had separated them from God. “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Material wealth is not a sign of spiritual blessing, neither is poverty a symbol of a close relationship with God. God’s desire is that we prosper and be in good health (3 John 1:2). It is when the accumulation of money and material wealth becomes our primary focus that we become out of balance. Money is not evil but the love of money leads to evil, especially when people will compromise their values to make money. This includes compromising their relationship with God.
John’s counsel is that the church should buy gold which is refined by fire, white garments to clothe themselves to cover the shame of their nakedness and ointment to heal their eyes from blindness (Revelations 3:18). The message from Jesus means that they should seek to have faith tried by fire which is much more precious than gold. That city was known for his manufacturing of white garments and eye ointments to treat eye diseases.
The garments were worth a lot materially but was not enough to cover their sins neither had the physical ointments treated their spiritual blindness. In essence Jesus was asking the question; “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul” (Mark 8:36)?
I believe that God wants his people to prosper and this includes financial prosperity. We have to submit ourselves to God and remember that it is he who gives us the ability to gain wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). As such, we should not compromise our relationship with God to acquire wealth. We allow God to teach us Kingdom principles of wealth creation and allow what we own to bring glory to God.
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
March 17, 2021March 17, 2021
