People Email the Silliest Things

Have you ever received an email promising that God will bless you financially if you just believe and oh by the way send it to 5, 10, 100 of your closest relatives & friends. It's both comical & sad, that so many people including Christians fall for this New Age nonsense. I guess with people feeling like the blessing of the Lord are a McMansion (big house), 2 German engineered vehicles, the latest fashion, a pure bred poodle that gets a monthly haircut, and oh as a throw in 1.5 kids (that you pay a Nanny to watch them as you jet-set across the globe). So I have to get back on my soap box again because I received an email today promising blessings to those that believe and to send it to 8 people and God will just give me money. The scripture reference was: 1 Kings 8:23, which was used totally out of context, but I digress. Let me start off with this quote I heard before (I think it was Redd Foxx, but I'm not 100% sure).

Quote: Money can't buy happiness, but it makes a nice down payment.

Rather than going off, I'll just let scripture speak for itself (Sola Scriptura)

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. (Proverbs 23:4)When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. (Proverbs 23:5) Far too many people are working hard to get rich that they neglect family, friends and etc. I'm not saying you shouldn't work hard but come on. Look at people that are rich even they are many times looking to hoard more for themselves. Take for instance Latrell Sprewell, some years ago he turned down a 3 year contract at 7 MILLION a year because he felt INSULTED AND HE HAS TO FEED HIS KIDS. Now dude is broke.

Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, (Proverbs 30:8) That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:9) This here could deal with the Prosperity Gospel or the Suffering for Jesus Gospel. Here the writer, shows that both are extremes and the deception that lies within either teachings.

For the LOVE (emphasis mine) of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10) Here is the real problem that is plaguing the family, church, the USA and world. It's get rich, get that money or die trying, it's scratch this off, sell this or that, run money schemes, break into a home, extort money, gold-diggen and etc. Done for the love of money. But it's sad that the church has fallen victim. Especially when Pastors are BRAGGING about the amount of money they make, to the very people that are paying their salary. My question is: are you really blowing up or has God graced you with people that love and honor you.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17) Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (1 Timothy 6:18) storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:19) But if God blesses you with money this is how you are expected to use it. It's certainly not for anyone (who's) in Christ to hoard up and build bigger barns and have 10 luxury cars. I'm not against having nice things while here on Earth, but let's be realistic. Do I need a solid gold toilet (saw that on MTV Cribs). But in helping others with the riches God has given us, we are storing up Heavenly treasures that will never fade, that rust and moths can't destroy or that theives could never steal (Matt. 6:19-20). But as the song says: I'd rather have Jesus, than silver and gold.

So I pray this over your life: That God's will be done in your life for now and eternity. That you'd bring glory to His name in all you do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Now send this to as many people as you want, but even if you don't. God blesses those whom He sees fit.

- Michael Pharr