Post by Les Brewer on Mar 22, 2016 16:06:55 GMT
THE KINGDOM COMES FIRST
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)
What do your desires and exertion tell about you? They tell what is first by what is given the most attention. It does not matter what you say, God sees you by your heart.
Each and every person in the Kingdom of God has their place as a member depending upon the gifts and calling in their lives. Also depending upon the call on their lives the responsibility to God also has different degrees of responsibility and commitment. However, no matter the call upon one’s life, God expects us to seek his kingdom and righteousness first, then those things in our lives which are needed to sustain and maintain us will be supplied.
It is unfortunate that many turn from seeking the kingdom and righteousness for the substance and maintenance of earthly supply. When you see them they never speak of spiritual things, but only material things, they don’t seek edification in the spirit but are excited by the material things of this life which are secondary to the Kingdom of God. Jesus warned us about the heart of covetousness and its ability to bring delusion.
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. (Luke 12:15 KJV)
Many have turned from seeking the face of God to seeking financial rewards and covet the temporary blessings of this world forsaking the Kingdom and God to acquire them, all the while telling themselves they’re okay and God is okay with it. But as I said earlier their heart betrays them through their own conversation.
(44) For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
(45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
(46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
(47) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
(48) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
(49) But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:44-49 KJV
God is not impressed by your riches, he owns everything. But God is impressed by your obedience and shows us what determines a good or evil heart. He ( Yahweh ) said whoever comes to me and hears my teachings and does them is a person who is building on a solid foundation. Then when trying times come, no matter how strong the current rages against them they are found standing after the storm, stronger in their faith, because they’ve built upon the firm foundation of an intimate relationship with Jesus the Christ ( Yeshua Ha Mashiach ).
Some say there is no difference between leadership and laity but they’ve not read the bible enough, because God himself has separated his own sheep and distinguished them through their gifts and calling upon their lives. He appointed twelve men and disciplined them personally then appointed them to be apostles or if you prefer; bishops and made them leaders by training them to be servants. When he called them out to follow him they dropped everything, Matthew dropped being a tax collector, Peter and others dropped being fishermen, etc, etc. However, not everyone is called to be a leader and do not have the responsibilities of a leader, so their responsibilities are not as extensive.
One day there will be a reckoning, many false preachers will stand before God for leading people into a deceptive gospel of materialism. Many lay members will stand before God for supporting and making rich the profiteers instead of supporting those who preach the gospel as it was intended. Even money will be a witness against those whose hearts were about the things of this world instead of the things of the next.
Brethren it is in my heart to do the will of God, I do not aspire to be rich, I only want to see people get saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost and on fire for the Kingdom of God. Material acquisition is not my inspiration, I am happy to have a humble home and my needs met so that I may be free to do the will of God for my life, which is first and foremost to preach the gospel of Jesus to a lost and dying generation, I do not care to get all tied up, tangled up, and knotted up by the things of this world which will hold me back. I seek the wealth of a Kingdom not made with hands, brick or mortar. Today one only has to view the news and seek that this world is in chaos and many need Jesus.
Now let me start my conclusion with this thought concerning those who are prosperous and have abundance, God has blessed them to be a blessing. Prosperity is not a sin in and of itself, from my understanding God does not condemn those whom are prosperous whom work hard and honestly for their money, it is only when one turns from serving God’s interest to serving one’s own interest that prosperity becomes a sin in the eyes of God. I believe that God truly blesses people with abundance because he sees they have a heart to help build the Kingdom of God through their giving into the Kingdom. But when some people get wealthy they fall into the trap of greediness and abandon giving to the work of God and serving God in Spirit and Truth. The bible teaches us that those whom forsake the Kingdom for riches will find themselves lacking at the judgment.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17 KJV)
The kingdom of God is about righteousness in respect to our relationship with God and the imputation of his righteousness into us, it is about having peace within and exercising it by extending to those around us, and about having joy that is unquenchable through the indwelling Spirit which sustains us in days of sorrow and reproach.
You see brethren the context of our text is the resolution that when we seek first God, when we seek first righteousness, he promises that what is needed in this earthly realm of life and relationship will be supplied to us. For our God is well able to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus who ascended to the right hand of the Father who intercedes for us and has given us the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. So whatever station of life that we are in God will supply accordingly.
Let me ask again; What do your desires and exertion tell about you? Selah!
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)
What do your desires and exertion tell about you? They tell what is first by what is given the most attention. It does not matter what you say, God sees you by your heart.
Each and every person in the Kingdom of God has their place as a member depending upon the gifts and calling in their lives. Also depending upon the call on their lives the responsibility to God also has different degrees of responsibility and commitment. However, no matter the call upon one’s life, God expects us to seek his kingdom and righteousness first, then those things in our lives which are needed to sustain and maintain us will be supplied.
It is unfortunate that many turn from seeking the kingdom and righteousness for the substance and maintenance of earthly supply. When you see them they never speak of spiritual things, but only material things, they don’t seek edification in the spirit but are excited by the material things of this life which are secondary to the Kingdom of God. Jesus warned us about the heart of covetousness and its ability to bring delusion.
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. (Luke 12:15 KJV)
Many have turned from seeking the face of God to seeking financial rewards and covet the temporary blessings of this world forsaking the Kingdom and God to acquire them, all the while telling themselves they’re okay and God is okay with it. But as I said earlier their heart betrays them through their own conversation.
(44) For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
(45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
(46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
(47) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
(48) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
(49) But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:44-49 KJV
God is not impressed by your riches, he owns everything. But God is impressed by your obedience and shows us what determines a good or evil heart. He ( Yahweh ) said whoever comes to me and hears my teachings and does them is a person who is building on a solid foundation. Then when trying times come, no matter how strong the current rages against them they are found standing after the storm, stronger in their faith, because they’ve built upon the firm foundation of an intimate relationship with Jesus the Christ ( Yeshua Ha Mashiach ).
Some say there is no difference between leadership and laity but they’ve not read the bible enough, because God himself has separated his own sheep and distinguished them through their gifts and calling upon their lives. He appointed twelve men and disciplined them personally then appointed them to be apostles or if you prefer; bishops and made them leaders by training them to be servants. When he called them out to follow him they dropped everything, Matthew dropped being a tax collector, Peter and others dropped being fishermen, etc, etc. However, not everyone is called to be a leader and do not have the responsibilities of a leader, so their responsibilities are not as extensive.
One day there will be a reckoning, many false preachers will stand before God for leading people into a deceptive gospel of materialism. Many lay members will stand before God for supporting and making rich the profiteers instead of supporting those who preach the gospel as it was intended. Even money will be a witness against those whose hearts were about the things of this world instead of the things of the next.
Brethren it is in my heart to do the will of God, I do not aspire to be rich, I only want to see people get saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost and on fire for the Kingdom of God. Material acquisition is not my inspiration, I am happy to have a humble home and my needs met so that I may be free to do the will of God for my life, which is first and foremost to preach the gospel of Jesus to a lost and dying generation, I do not care to get all tied up, tangled up, and knotted up by the things of this world which will hold me back. I seek the wealth of a Kingdom not made with hands, brick or mortar. Today one only has to view the news and seek that this world is in chaos and many need Jesus.
Now let me start my conclusion with this thought concerning those who are prosperous and have abundance, God has blessed them to be a blessing. Prosperity is not a sin in and of itself, from my understanding God does not condemn those whom are prosperous whom work hard and honestly for their money, it is only when one turns from serving God’s interest to serving one’s own interest that prosperity becomes a sin in the eyes of God. I believe that God truly blesses people with abundance because he sees they have a heart to help build the Kingdom of God through their giving into the Kingdom. But when some people get wealthy they fall into the trap of greediness and abandon giving to the work of God and serving God in Spirit and Truth. The bible teaches us that those whom forsake the Kingdom for riches will find themselves lacking at the judgment.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17 KJV)
The kingdom of God is about righteousness in respect to our relationship with God and the imputation of his righteousness into us, it is about having peace within and exercising it by extending to those around us, and about having joy that is unquenchable through the indwelling Spirit which sustains us in days of sorrow and reproach.
You see brethren the context of our text is the resolution that when we seek first God, when we seek first righteousness, he promises that what is needed in this earthly realm of life and relationship will be supplied to us. For our God is well able to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus who ascended to the right hand of the Father who intercedes for us and has given us the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. So whatever station of life that we are in God will supply accordingly.
Let me ask again; What do your desires and exertion tell about you? Selah!
