A conversation with a friend

Friend: Sad to say, I see this trend in churches where pastors draw huge salary, drive big cars, live in big houses and dressed in branded items... wonder if it's the heart of God they are after or earthly possessions. Find it hard to respect pastors who asked their congregation to sacrifice possessions for missions and building funds yet they hoard possessions to themselves. To me, such lifestyle doesn't tally....

Me: That's why the Bible says not all who call "Lord, Lord" will be acknowledged by Jesus when he returns. If idolatry has taken the place of GOD in their lives, they will have to answer to GOD in that day of judgment, and idolators are thrown out into the lake of sulphur as mentioned in the Book of Revelations. Again, the Bible says in Matthew 7:13 that "wide is the gate, and broad is the path that leads to destruction, and many people are entering by it." Is it surprising that on the last day, many are not found on the narrow gate that leads to life, even though they may have been thought to be Christians?

Man looks at the outside, but GOD looks at the heart. I would add that GOD knows whether these pastors honour him or merely pay lip service, and whether they love Him wholeheartedly as in the first commandment, or their blessings. If their material comforts are removed from them tomorrow, will they still serve GOD or curse Him?

The Bible also says "where our treasure is, there our heart will also be". Let our treasure be in heaven. Even though we may be poor by comparison in this lifetime on earth, the Bible says we are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to these (Matthew 5:3). I may not drive, I may not live in a condo, but these don't exist in heaven, & we can't buy any treasures in heaven with our wealth on earth. We can't even buy our way into heaven, so why would we need to accumulate all these wealth? Instead we store up treasures in heaven by doing the will of GOD and obeying His commandments, because heaven is our final destination.

Friend: Yup... fully agree. Godliness with contentment is great gain. We have to remember to be His channel of blessing to others who are in greater need than us esp. during this economy downturn. This is where love in action is in demonstration.... a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Me: Amen. God speaks a different language from the fallen man and it's called LOVE. I've always believe in having just enough & not more. Any extra, bless others, because we cannot keep these blessings anyway. If we can make a difference to them in their times of need (when they are hungry, naked, sick, helpless, etc), that should be when we bless them, not year-end or when we have retired and accumulated a nice retirement nest.

You will notice that none of the apostles were rich. Many were poor & died with nothing to their name. These are the ones in heaven.

I would further add that if we are godly, we will feel ashamed to accumulate much for ourselves while others struggle to survive.

We live in challenging times, where morals are turned on their heads. The Bible warned about false prophets and teachers in the last days, and I believe this is happening in churches. That's why the Bible urged us to stay alert and pray in the Spirit at all times. Let's remain focused on Jesus from now till the end of our journey on earth so that when we have finished the race, we can say what the Apostle Paul said "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". The crown of righteousness awaits all who have been found to be faithful to that dearest to GOD.

May GOD bless you.

Thomas