Faith

by Debbie Wallis

to make it a priority to love God and His people more than you love what money can buy you Don’t let money be a god "You shall have no other gods before me,” Exodus 20:3 It’s ok to let money work for you just be careful not to be bought

“Jesus said to His disciples, ‘It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of Heaven In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich person to get in God’s kingdom,” Matthew 19:23-24

The problem isn’t money The problem is the value put on money The poor and rich put a sinful value on money The rich can use money to manipulate and the poor can be used by money and be manipulated People with not enough can covet money and people with too much can fall to pride with money. Money has a loud voice and can buy its way in and out of situations. Money speaks every language across the globe Money can buy food for the hungry or can pay for addictions

Money can buy fame and fortune which can buy more fame and fortune Money gains more money Money can buys friends

Money can buy favor and pay for speech or the silence of Don’t let money talk louder than morals and character Jesus is warning us against the love of money and the power that’s attached to it God cares about your heart You have

Jesus is warning that it is impossible for anyone to be saved on their own merits It was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were the most likely candidates for Heaven. Jesus destroyed that theory and the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples were confused and asked, “Who then can be saved?” If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of Heaven, what hope was there for a poor man? Jesus’s answer is the basis of the gospel: "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything," Matthew 19:26 In Ephesians 2:8-9 we are told that men are saved through God’s grace, mercy, and faith Nothing we do earns salvation for us Matthew 5:3 speaks of the poor in spirit inheriting the kingdom of God It’s easier to cry out to a holy God if you recognize your spiritual poverty. The rich is often blind to their spiritual poverty because of the pride of their accomplishments. They’re content with wealth and admiration That makes the rich less likely to humble themselves before God A camel is not likely to ever go through the eye of a needle Why a camel who knows I guess He could have used an elephant Point being, it’s harder to humble yourself and truly believe you need God when you can buy anything you want, including people’s praise, attention and admiration

"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you,” Matthew 6:3-4 This is not saying that every time we give it needs to be in secret There are plenty of times it is appropriate that others know when we give This verse is talking about giving to get praise, recognition and admiration It’s good to give without receiving a ticker tape parade Oh, it’s easier to keep secret with a small amount of money given but try giving without the recognition with a large amount of money. Your flesh wants to be celebrated even if it’s by one person. God always knows your intent "When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in Heaven

When you give to charity, don’t blow a loud horn so others will know That’s what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise I can assure you they already got the only reward they deserve,” Matthew 6:1-2

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them," Ephesians 2:9-10. The Bible says the works we do on earth determine our rewards in Heaven God is keeping an account of what we are doing on earth Christians who love the praise of God more than the praise of man on earth will receive great reward in Heaven The choices you are making presently will have eternal consequences attached to them God sees everything based on the motivations of your heart Some people do good things to be seen by other people They like the praise of man These people have no reward in Heaven because they get their reward from the praise of man When you do good works to obey and honor the Lord He will reward you I pray blessings for over you and pray that with your financial gain you do great things to help others and bring honor and glory to the Lord. There will be poor and rich and everything in between when we get to Heaven. The common denominator will be that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give it all to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven Then come and follow Me ’ When the young man heard this he went away grieving because he was very rich,” Mathew 19:21-22 Thus it’s harder for a rich person to get into Heaven than a camel in the eye of the needle “Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice,” Proverbs 16:8 If you don’t have a bible please contact me at sfadebbie@yahoo com and I will provide you one.

3G Brand seeks part-time help

3G Brand, local and leading handcrafted blanket company is seeking parttime help. They are looking for someone who can do pin and cut material. Any age considered and will work around your schedule. All interested need to email

3Gbrand@gmail.com or call 903-819-3010.