A destructive god.

[Richie_2uk]

A destructive god.
​

​

[FONT=&quot]First of all, notice in the title the word god as a lower case word? meaning, not the Almighty God? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]There are two essential spiritual truths that we ignore at our peril. The first is that a variety of ‘gods’ seek our allegiance. The second is that we take on the qualities of the ‘gods’ we worship.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jesus described money as one of these alternatives gods, and secular world is now telling us how worshiping this god affects us. There is a book titled “The selfish Capitalist” Written by a psychologist Oliver James. He outlines the effects of materialism on those who practice it. With their emphasis on money, possessions and personal appearance, materialists suffer increased levels of depression, anxiety, aggression, narcissism, and substance abuse and relationship breakdowns.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As our devotion to this god grows, we become less loyal, forgiving, helpful and joyful, and tend to be more cynical, fearful, insecure and manipulative; denial will play a big part. Oliver James adds that most modern psychiatric disorders are virtually unknown outside of westernised societies. A materialistic culture leads to sickness of the deepest kind.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Jesus knew this long ago. He described wealth as something that vies for our worship (Matthew 6: 24). He knew that our hearts are shaped by what we “treasure” (Matthew 6: 21). He warned that obsessing over material things would bring anxiety (Matthew 6: 25-32) and a darkness of our soul that robs us of life and purpose (Matthew 6: 22-23). [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]How can we liberate from such pervasive illness? Jesus’ remedy is as relevant today as it I was in the first century. We’re to renounce the god of money and serve the God of love (Matthew 6: 24). We’re to be assured of his concern for us (Matthew 6: 26) and trust him to provide the material things we need (Matthew 6: 30) we’re to orient our lives around his agenda (Matthew 6: 33) and find our life’s purpose in working for the things that last (Matthew 6: 20).[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Worshiping money destroys us, no matter how we try to cover up that truth. Worshiping the true God brings life, joy, and peace (Romans 14: 17) and (Romans 15: 13). [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]So the choice of allegiance is ours. Make the right choice. [/FONT]

 

[pa360]

That is such a powerful post and a great reminder too. Indeed, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). A friend of mine once said that the wallet is often the last thing to receive salvation!

I believe that God does want to make his people prosperous - the bible is clear about that (Luke 6:38 'give and it shall be given unto you'; 2 Corinthians 8:9 'though he was rich He was made poor, so that through His poverty you might be rich'. Philippians 4:9 'God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory'). The key to obtaining divine prosperity is to be found in Matthew 6:33 'seek you first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all other things will be added to you'. Isaiah 1:19 also states that 'if you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land'. If we follow God and are obedient to his leading, wealth, riches and prosperity will follow us - we will not have to search for it.

By itself money is not at the root of all kinds of evil. It is the love of money that is at the root of all kinds of evil.

 

[tourist]

A destructive god.
​

First of all, notice in the title the word god as a lower case word? meaning, not the Almighty God?

There are two essential spiritual truths that we ignore at our peril. The first is that a variety of ‘gods’ seek our allegiance. The second is that we take on the qualities of the ‘gods’ we worship.

Jesus described money as one of these alternatives gods, and secular world is now telling us how worshiping this god affects us. There is a book titled “The selfish Capitalist” Written by a psychologist Oliver James. He outlines the effects of materialism on those who practice it. With their emphasis on money, possessions and personal appearance, materialists suffer increased levels of depression, anxiety, aggression, narcissism, and substance abuse and relationship breakdowns.

As our devotion to this god grows, we become less loyal, forgiving, helpful and joyful, and tend to be more cynical, fearful, insecure and manipulative; denial will play a big part. Oliver James adds that most modern psychiatric disorders are virtually unknown outside of westernised societies. A materialistic culture leads to sickness of the deepest kind.

Jesus knew this long ago. He described wealth as something that vies for our worship (Matthew 6: 24). He knew that our hearts are shaped by what we “treasure” (Matthew 6: 21). He warned that obsessing over material things would bring anxiety (Matthew 6: 25-32) and a darkness of our soul that robs us of life and purpose (Matthew 6: 22-23).

How can we liberate from such pervasive illness? Jesus’ remedy is as relevant today as it I was in the first century. We’re to renounce the god of money and serve the God of love (Matthew 6: 24). We’re to be assured of his concern for us (Matthew 6: 26) and trust him to provide the material things we need (Matthew 6: 30) we’re to orient our lives around his agenda (Matthew 6: 33) and find our life’s purpose in working for the things that last (Matthew 6: 20).

Worshiping money destroys us, no matter how we try to cover up that truth. Worshiping the true God brings life, joy, and peace (Romans 14: 17) and (Romans 15: 13).

So the choice of allegiance is ours. Make the right choice.

OK. I am pondering switching to de-caf, or maybe tea. Spoonful of honey and twist of lemon - hot or cold.

 

[Richie_2uk]

OK. I am pondering switching to de-caf, or maybe tea. Spoonful of honey and twist of lemon - hot or cold.

LOL Sorry for the long read, But I thought to help you relax a little and add some biblical food for you to ponder LOL

 

[crossnote]

Most will say outright, ''I don't worship money'', but upon closer examination, we begin to fret when our savings dwindle to 'barely paying the bills', or panic sets in when we receive a $15,000 medical bill. It truly reveals we have been trusting in the 'security' money brings rather than God, even in unsecure circumstances.

 

[Richie_2uk]

Most will say outright, ''I don't worship money'', but upon closer examination, we begin to fret when our savings dwindle to 'barely paying the bills', or panic sets in when we receive a $15,000 medical bill. It truly reveals we have been trusting in the 'security' money brings rather than God, even in unsecure circumstances.

Exactly, you hit the nail on the head. Hence like I said, Denial will play a huge part. People wont see that they are actually worshiping money without realising it. because money has a huge impact in there lives. It becomes a dependant factor in there lives. But In Jesus Times. This problem was widely known and even then Jesus knew what money can do to effect a person. But that then, we in our time, need to look at ourself, and start thinking, whether we do trust I jesus or not.

Somthing I forgot to mention when i Posted, about trust. trust will play a huge part too. But God was really wise when he quoted the scripture, "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" in which that verse has been twisted, manipulated, and taken wrong. To cover the guilt, and the knowing how wrong some people are to worship money or the love of money, rather than Worshipping the true God of love, who provides our every needs.