DOES JESUS WANT YOU TO BE POOR?

Jesus said to a rich man: “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Mark 10:21 NLT

In other words, Jesus was basically telling this young man, ‘become poor and then come and follow Me, be completely dependent on Me and you will experience how I will take care of all your needs!’

That is why Jesus taught: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT

And the apostle Paul wrote this: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Jesus did not want any of His disciples to be self-sufficient, but for them to trust Him for their daily provision, as Jesus taught them to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11 NKJV

DREAMING BIG? | Edwin Christiaan

 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say, that we are supposed to “dream big” for God and demand of Him to use us big league in the area of leading others. Why? Because those God has chosen to be His children, He works in them, giving them the desire and the power to do WHAT PLEASES HIM! (See Philippians 2:13)

Yes! God works in His children, transforming them by changing the way they think and in doing so, they learn to know His will, which is good and pleasing and perfect! (See Romans 12:2) 

God’s children then become like His Son, Jesus Christ, who did not come to this earth to be served, but to serve others! (See Romans 8:29, Matthews 20:28)

As Jesus taught His disciples: “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 NLT

And, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant!” Mark 10:43 NLT

CHURCH OBSESSION WITH GETTING RICH | Edwin Christiaan

 

The church is full of people who long to be rich. The prosperity preachers tell them that Jesus was rich while here on earth, and that God wants nothing more than to lavish His children with an abundance of material blessings! These preachers falsely teach that in order for you to get rich, you must tithe and sow large money seeds to them.

But what you see happening, is that the people despite of giving all their money, are not getting rich! Instead, as the Bible says, they fall into the temptation of gambling their money away, getting into debt and because of it, they are now being trapped by this foolish and harmful desire of getting rich, that plunge them into financial ruin and destruction (see 1. Timothy 6:9-10).

Jesus Christ was not rich while He was living on this earth! During His public ministry, Jesus and His disciples depended entirely on the hospitality of others as they ministered from town to town. He told His disciples:

“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.” Matthew 10:9-10 NLT

And Jesus said about Himself,

“Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” Luke 9:58 NLT

Jesus did not come to make you financially rich, but He will take care of your needs, as He said,

“For your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!” Matthew 6:8 NLT

Therefore,

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need!” Matthew 6:33 NLT

That’s why the apostle Paul, a disciple of Jesus Christ, taught that,

“True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.  After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” 1. Timothy 6:6-8 NLT

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:19 NLT