“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
–1TIMOTHY 6:9
One of the GREAT truths of God’s Word is that wealth is of this world and, as such, is fleeting.
Wealth, like the lives of all who chase after it, is fleeting.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
–James 4:14
This truth is ESPECIALLY valid during the end times, when some men will begin chasing wealth as a means of protection against the chaos which increasingly surrounds them.
But ALL men LOVE the ‘thrill of the chase.’
Therefore, worldly men will pursue the things of the world.
And so, many who begin their pursuit of wealth with the best of intentions end up pursuing wealth as an END, rather than a MEANS TO AN END. In other words, many who begin chasing wealth so that they may better weather a storm–financial or otherwise–end up pursuing wealth for its own sake.
But what men seek after (earthly riches), is a will-o’-the-wisp: a carrot hung just out of reach in front of the covetous to ensure that their focus is on the things of the world INSTEAD OF GOD–who created those things.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. “
–1JOHN 2:15-16
With that said, here are a few more thoughts on end times wealth–which, it is hoped, will be taken to heart by those who currently chase after the things of this world, ESPECIALLY wealth.
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
–1TIMOTHY 6:9
1- God’s Word PROMISES that God will provide for–both in this world and the next–those who put God FIRST.
“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”
–Proverbs 28:20
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
–1JOHN 2:17
2-Wealth is not always a blessing, as those whose focus on the world and the things of the world insist. Sometimes, wealth can be an AFFLICTION.
MORE: Wealth As An Affliction
A- Most readers are familiar with the stories of the elderly wealthy, who growl about their relatives who are care more about ‘my money than me.’
B- An important point lost on those who are wealthy OR who pretend to be wealthy: whoever STORES one’s money, CONTROLS that money.
As far as accumulated wealth goes, the saying “Possession is 9/10ths of the law” is really true–and ignored.
C- Those who attempt to hoard wealth as a hedge against times of chaos and uncertainty are on a fool’s errand.
NO amount of wealth will protect one from God’s wrath.
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”
–Isaiah 2:11-12,19-21
D- History is full of accounts of governments confiscating the wealth of its citizens.
A stroke of the pen often makes one’s life work and the riches accumulated through the years DISAPPEAR.
3- God’s Word ALSO provides a number of interesting thoughts on wealth and its accumulation.
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
–Ecclesiastes 5:10
“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
–Proverbs 28:22
“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
–Proverbs 11:28
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
–Luke 12:15-21
4- Wealth is WHATEVER those in authority declare it to be.
Consequently, IF the authorities declare that which was PREVIOUSLY considered to be valuable is now worthless: it is worthless.
Oh, there may be a few who cling to the old ways of wealth (think of the many stories of die-hard Confederates who placed their trust in the ULTIMATELY-WORTHLESS ‘Confederate money.’)
But these benighted souls are the exception, rather than the rule.
There are other thoughts on wealth and wealth accumulation, but these other thoughts will have to wait until another day.
God willing.
DOES the reader believe that there’s nothing wrong with the pursuit of wealth; that chasing after riches is ‘what made America great’?
It is not YET too late: there is still a little time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: November 19-21, 2021.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-21. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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