Riches and Money

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. Proverbs 11:4

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his souls? Matthew 16:26

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Proverbs 23:4

...if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Psalm 62:10

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

What are riches? It depends on who you ask. The world view of treasure and riches is material possessions, material wealth, material possessions, gold, silver, diamonds, material things, stocks and cash money.

God's view of treasures and riches is greater than anything that is in this world. The riches and treasures of God are NOT cash money, not gold, not silver, not jewels, not any material possessions that are here on this earth.

It is wrong to covet anything, including money and lust after material possessions.

We are to be content in God, satisfied in Christ Jesus all the days of our lives, no matter what financial state we are in, whether we have earthly riches or not, we are to be content in the Lord our God.

Have you learned yet? Have you learned to be content, no matter what state you are in?

Only God is able to satisfy the human soul. No amount of money on this earth can satisfy the soul of man (Ezekiel 7:19). The more things of this earth people have the more they want, but they will never be satisfied by the things of this world, because God alone is able to satisfy mankind (Isaiah 58:11).

The richest man that ever lived, King Solomon, confirmed that all is vanity, apart from God. King Solomon obtained everything this world had to offer, status, power, money, property, buildings, gold, silver, jewels, servants, women, and in the largest quantity ever obtained ever by any man on earth, but he was still left wanting, searching for the meaning of life. After King Solomon had obtained all things imagined in the hearts of men, he concluded that the things he had obtained was meaningless, it was all vanity.

We are all born into our earthly bodies with a void, a vacancy, an emptiness, a loneliness, a hole, that only God is able to completely fill and satisfy. God alone can fill the missing piece in our hearts, God alone can make us whole, complete, and bring meaning and peace into our souls.

The riches of God are in His Kingdom

The riches of God are with Him, in His Kingdom of Heaven, and are NOT here on this planet.

Jesus left His riches in Heaven, the riches of God, to come to earth to save the world from sin and death. Jesus "became poor, that through His poverty we might be rich". Jesus was "made poor" when He came to earth to save mankind (2 Corinthians 8:9).

God has no need or want for the world's wealth, the world's money, or any earthly things of this world, it is futile, meaningless, useless, worthless, in His Kingdom.

As God does, as Christ Jesus does, we should NOT crave, need, or want the things of this earth. We are to set our eyes higher than what can be seen here on this temporary place, and set our eyes onto the things that are eternal, that will last forever in the Kingdom of God, the riches of God in Heaven, the salvation of our souls, the crown of life, the eternal life we will have with our Eternal King.

The riches of this world are NOT the riches in God's Kingdom. The riches of this world will NOT exist in the Kingdom to come.

As the children of God, we are to see through Christ's eyes, take on God's view of things, and understand that true wealth and riches are only found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth

Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God never condones pursuing worldly wealth or obtaining and storing up riches of this world. God is against worldly profit, because it is here and not in Heaven. No one's goal in this life should be obtaining more worldly wealth.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

God says that we are NOT to store up riches here on this earth, but we ARE to store up riches in Heaven.

The salvation of God is in Heaven, not on this earth. The salvation of God can never be found through worldly riches and money. Love and happiness are not obtained through worldly possessions or pursuits. God is love and only God can deliver true love and true happiness.

Lasting riches are only found with God and in God, the riches that God gives are durable, permanent and eternal (Proverbs 8:18).

Riches and money of this world cannot deliver anyone from the wrath of God, only righteousness found in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ delivers anyone from death (Proverbs 11:4). The salvation of God cannot be purchased with money.

Labor not to be worldly rich (Proverbs 23:4). Labor not for the temporary things of this world, but for the things of God which endure forever, eternal salvation (John 6:27).

Worldly riches are temporary - worldly riches will not last, will not be carried with you to eternity - but the riches of God are eternal (Proverbs 23:5; 27:24).

We are to place our complete trust in God, not money or any earthly possessions. We are to be satisfied in the Lord, not by our worldly possessions. Our prayer should never be for increase in riches, but that God's will be done in our life (Proverbs 30:8).

Our blessings come from God above, not from what is obtained on this earth (Proverbs 28:20).

Beware of prophets who profit

There is a popular false doctrine being preached today throughout the world, deceiving many, which is the preaching of how to be rich with money in the terms of this world. And not only "how to be rich", but that "God wants you to be rich", which couldn't be further from the truth of God.

God says that the mouths of these false prophets for profit must be stopped from teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake (Titus 1:11). Filthy lucre's sake, for filthy monetary gain, for filthy money, for filthy profit is sake.

How do we stop false prophets? False prophets are stopped the exact same way the apostle Paul stopped them in his day, by the true Word of God, by teaching the truth of God, by preaching the gospel of Christ Jesus, by knowing the Word of God and doing it.

No one is given permission by God to profit from His Holy Divine Word.

It doesn't matter who you are, are who you think you are, because God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). It doesn't matter if call yourself a Christian, a pastor, a bishop, a teacher, a preacher, a deacon, a priest, a prophet, a disciple, an apostle, a saint, or by any name. No one is exempt from the Word of God. No one is given permission by God to profit from His Holy Divine Word. No one is exempt from the commandments of God. There are no excuses for preaching contrary to the Holy Word of God. No one will be excused on the day of Judgment for teaching contrary to the Word of God.

No one is to preach the Holy Word of God for profit, for filthy lucre's sake, because preaching the word of God for profit, gaining the wealth of this world, pursing money, gaining material possessions, gaining money, for one's own self HAS NOTHING to do with God.

God commissions all His children to preach His gospel to the all people, FEED HIS SHEEP, willingly, because we love God, and not for profit's sake, but for Christ's sake. Because of Christ, for His gospel, for His love, for His sacrifice, because of Christ we are commissioned to preach, not for self and never to benefit ourselves, but because we love Christ, love others..

These false prophets peddle satan's lie for their own profit, while they disguise themselves and their false doctrine as it is from God Himself. These false prophets appear to be Christians (sheep's clothing), but inwardly are NOT one of Christ's (ravening wolves).

False prophets are easy to spot, because they preach another doctrine, NOT the doctrine of Christ. Only by knowing the true living Word of God can we spot false prophets.

Do NOT be deceived, beware of prophets who profit. The true prophets of God do not pursue profit, do not pursue the things of this world, do not seek monetary gain, riches and money found in this world, and do not seek their own glory. False prophets seek their own glory, they are self promoting, not Christ promoting.

True disciples of Christ, true apostles of God, true believers of God, the true teachers of the Gospel do NOT seek earthly riches and money. The true prophets of God set themselves apart from the things of this world, including the pursuit of money, fame, and gain, just as Christ did.

Believers live in this world, but we are not of this world (John 15:19, 17:14, 16).

God tells us in His Holy Word, that in the last days (which is today), that many false teachers will be in this world, and deceive many, and deceive not only the lost, but they will deceive even the believers of Christ Jesus (1 John 4:1; Matthew 24:24).

The world is the enemy of God, if you align yourself with the things of this world, seeking the things of this world, seeking more money after more money, then you align yourself with the world, and not with God (James 4:4).

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

God says that no one will enter Heaven without faith in Him, because we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Our wholehearted faith and trust must be in God to salvation. We are NOT saved by anything that we can do ourselves. We are NOT saved by anything that is purchased with money. Salvation belongs to God alone. Salvation is gifted to us through faith in Jesus Christ by grace.

Money has never saved anyone. Money cannot give salvation. Money will never save anyone from sin and death.

We are all saved the exact same way, by the grace of God through faith in God (Ephesians 2:8). The salvation of God is only obtained through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9). We become the children of God only by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

Unbelievers of Jesus Christ will never see the Kingdom of God, because only the children of God inherit the Kingdom of God (Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

The word of God reads that it is hard for the wealthy, people with lots of money and material things, to enter Heaven because a lot of them put their faith and trust in their material things, instead of trusting in God (Matthew 19:23-24).

Faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is required for eternal life (Galatians 3:26). We must believe God is all who He says He is, in order to receive His gift of salvation (Hebrews 11:6).

God didn't say material rich people will not enter into Heaven, but God said it is hard for them to do so, because they might place their faith and trust in the things that they possess, over trusting in God for all things.

God says IF people place money as their god, they do not believe in Him as God, "thou shalt have no other gods before me".

When we covet after money, desire and lust after money and material possessions, we err from faith in God alone for our life's existence and salvation.

No amount of money or material possessions can bring true peace and happiness to anyone, because God alone gives peace as He is the God of Peace. No amount of material possessions can purchase true security, which is eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

No one can buy with money or works, the eternal salvation of God, because salvation belongs to God alone. Salvation is freely given to all people by the grace of Christ Jesus, through faith in Christ Jesus.

When we believe in Jesus to save us from our sins, when we turn from the ways of this evil world and turn to the ways of Christ, when we turn away from sin and turn to God, when we love our Lord God more than we love ourselves, when we relinquish our selfish desires and surrender ourselves to be controlled by the Son of the Most High God, we then can receive the free gift of God, eternal salvation.

By grace through faith we are saved, we become the children of God only through faith in God the Father's Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 3:26).

God never said "money is the root of all evil", God said that "the love of money is the root of all evil". Money by itself is not the root of evil, but the love of money. The love of anything placed over and above, placed higher in our lives than God is wrong.

If you have a stack of money in front of you, the money itself is not the root of all evil, but the love of that money is the root of all evil.

Anything we place before God is wrong. Nothing or no one should ever be placed before God. We should love nothing or no one more than we love our LORD God.

Our sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 2:5). Our life, our existence, is because of God, nothing else. We are because of God alone, nothing else. We are to live for God, not for anyone, or anything else.

We are to be content with God. We are not to lust after or covet "things". We must all realize that "in whatever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11).

We are to place our complete trust in God to meet all our needs. No amount of money or material possessions can meet all our needs, but God can. Wealthy people do not have everything, but God does. The children of God do have everything always having all sufficiency in all things (2 Corinthians 9:8).

We should praise God from whom all our blessings flow! Praise and thank God for sufficiently supplying all our needs!

The children of God, believers of Christ Jesus have complete sufficiency in all things - always. God fully completes us in all sufficiency in all things. If you feel that you are not sufficient in all things, this is not God's shortcoming, it is yours. God is faithful and tells us that we are complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:10).

Do NOT be deceived by the world's philosophy that you must pursue to get more and more, that you want more and more, that love and happiness is in things of this world, that you are never satisfied, that no one never has enough anything, because God says that we do have enough, that we are satisfied, and that we are complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:8-10). God knows how we think, because He created us. God knows that with money comes the temptation to sin. Wealthy people are constantly tempted to sin in ways that other people never encounter. Position, status, fame, power, are great deceivers and can led you away from God very fast. Few wealthy people have God as the center of their universe. Wealthy people often fall into temptation and sin of drugs and alcohol, reckless behavior, sexual immorality, pride, selfishness, greed, pride, arrogance, and worse.

When we covet after things that we do not have, we fall into sin, which is unrighteousness, which separates us from God. Covetousness, as with all sin, separates us from God.

God does not want us to fall away from Him; God wants us to follow after His righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness, fight the good fight of faith and lay hold onto eternal life.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

The riches of God are NOT on this earth, the riches of God are with Him in Heaven. The riches of God are His grace, His mercy, His love, His righteousness, His holiness, His strength, His wisdom, His goodness, His Kingdom, and His glory, given to whosoever accepts His salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Riches of God's grace

Through the grace of God, we are accepted into His presence, for by grace we are saved (Ephesians 2:5). According to the grace of God, we receive forgiveness of sin, redemption of our sins through His blood.

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Ephesians 1:6-9

We are all shown the exceeding riches of the grace of God, in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. By the grace of God we are saved through faith in God. We are NOT saved by our works, because salvation is the gift of God, given freely by His grace to all who ask and believe.

Riches of God's goodness

The riches of God's goodness leads us to repentance. Godly repentance is required for salvation.

From the moment we are born, from the instant that God breathes life into our bodies, God is calling us to Him. No one ever born is exempt from the calling of God, for God calls everyone to come to Him.

By the riches of God's goodness we are called to Him, called by His love, called to receive His free gift of salvation, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

We all hear God's call, but we do not all answer Him. God gives us each the choice to come to Him. It is our choice alone, to accept His salvation. God has never and will never force Himself upon anyone. To receive salvation we must accept His invitation and say "Yes" to God, accept His call to come to Him, to love Him, to receive His salvation, and follow Him all the days of our lives.

Riches of God's glory

As believers, the riches of the glory of God is Christ Jesus in us, the hope of glory, strengthening us with might by His Spirit inside of us in our inner man. The fullness of God is filled in us through the love of Christ dwelling inside of us.

And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Roman 9:23

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:27

Riches of Christ

The riches of God are unsearchable. We are given a glimpse, a fraction, a portion, of the riches of God through Christ Jesus. We will not see the complete riches of God until we are with Him in His Kingdom, until we see Jesus face to face and witness firsthand the glory and the riches of God Almighty.

Riches of the full assurance

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in God. All of God's children who continue in the faith and remain in Him, are comforted by God with full assurance of who they are, being knit together in His everlasting love.

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

God gives all His children comfort, peace, eternal security and assurance of who He is and who we are in Him.

The fact that we can call ourselves the children of God, because we come to Him every day in faith, is not only amazing and a miracle, but this full assurance of understanding who we are in Him is the riches of God.

We are not left by God to guess if we are saved, because He has given us His riches of the full assurance of understanding who we are now, and who we will be when we die, and who we will be in His heavenly Kingdom.

Do you know where you will be in 100 years? in 10,000 years? If you know God personally, if you believe in God for the salvation of your soul, God will give you His riches of full assurance, now and forever.

The riches of God are in God in Heaven, the riches of God are in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, and the riches of God are in all the faithful children of God.

The riches of God are given to His children through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:18).

The riches of God are in Christ, who is in the heart of all believers who hold fast to their faith in Him (Colossians 1:27).

(Here we are talking about money) How much do you want? How much money would be enough money? Do you want $1,000, $10,000, $100,000, $1,000,000? Do you want all the money in the world?

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 16:24-28

God said, "what does is profit any man, if he gained the whole world, but lose his own soul?".

Is all the money, all the power, all the world's wealth worth the price of your eternal soul? No it isn't. God said it isn't. What is worth more than your eternal soul, your heavenly destiny? Nothing.

What does is profit any person, if they gain the whole world, but lose their soul? Absolutely nothing. Eternal life CANNOT be gained by all the money in this world. Nothing is worth more than your eternal soul.

Why? Because all the money, gold, silver, material possessions of this world are temporal. Everything on this planet will be destroyed and burnt up one day by the word of God.

If you have receive God's free gift of salvation, you possess more treasure and riches than in all the world. IF you are saved, your eternal soul will pass from death in this life, to life everlasting in the Kingdom of God, which is priceless.

No one can buy salvation, because God says that His salvation is His free gift, given to all freely from God who by the grace of God through faith in Jesus accept His salvation. Salvation is priceless.

All the money in this world cannot purchase anyone entrance into Heaven. The salvation of God cannot be earned by us. The salvation of God cannot be bought, purchased by anything we have.

Our priorities are changed when we receive salvation. Our salvation, our faith in God is our most precious treasure that we will ever have here on this earth.

Your salvation is worth more than all the gold, all the material treasures, all the money of this small planet.

By the grace of God, through faith in Christ Jesus, we become the children of God AND heirs to the Kingdom of God, nothing is greater.

Nothing can be compared to our inheritance in the Kingdom of God, nothing compares to eternity with our eternal King Jesus, our LORD God.

As believers of Christ Jesus, we have become the sons and daughters of the one true living Almighty God, the Creator of all things, we are God's children, nothing is bigger than that, nothing is worth more than that, nothing can compare to the riches of glory that we have in Christ Jesus.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:14-18

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

When we become the children of God our eternal destiny changes from death to life.

As believers of Christ Jesus, we are not of this world any longer. This world is not our home, but our home is in Heaven, in the Kingdom of God.

This earth is only a temporary place for our earthly bodies to live, this is not our home, Heaven is our eternal home. Our eternal home is the Kingdom of Heaven with God.

When we become the children of God, through faith in Jesus, we are separated from this world for eternity.

We are NOT to entangle ourselves again with the cares of this world, but we are to store up our treasures in Heaven. Our focus is on God above, not on this earth. Our future, our blessed Hope is in Heaven, not on this earth.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

We are NOT to be worried and consumed by the cares of this world. God says that we are to "take no thought for our life, what we shall eat, or what we shall drink, or what we wear".

The saved in Christ Jesus, the children of God, the just, we are to live by faith, faith in God, faith that God will take care of all our needs and wants. God is in control over all areas of our lives. God is greater than anything of this world. God is able to provide for all our needs. God is enough.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matthew 6:25

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

We must have complete faith and complete trust in God, faith that God does know and God will do what is best for us in all areas of our lives.

All good things in our lives comes from God above. God is able to give us all that we need.

We are to be content with what God gives us, He does know what is best for our lives all the time. When we put all our trust and all our faith in our Lord God to provide for us, we will have peace and comfort, more than the most wealthiest person on this planet.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

We brought nothing into this world and we will carry nothing out of this world when we die.

Why would we want to store up earthly treasures here on earth, when they will not last? Only the treasures that we store up in Heaven will last for eternity. We are to desire the things of God, we are to store up treasures for ourselves in Heaven, not here on earth.

We should be careful what we consider our treasures, because God tells us all, that where our treasure is, there will be our heart also. We love our treasures, our heart is where our treasure is, whether it be in treasure here on this earth, or treasure in Heaven.

We should be very careful what we desire, that we do not commit the sin of covetousness against God. We should be careful what treasures we store up for ourselves. Covetousness is not of God. We are not to desire things of others, but we are to be content with what we have, what God has so graciously given to us. All good things come from God above.

By the grace of God, we are able to have faith in God, and through faith in God we are able to receive salvation.

Through salvation we become the children of God. As the children of God, we have Christ Jesus dwelling in us and Jesus promises us that He will never leave us and He will never forsake us. There is nothing more that we need. We are to be content with the things that we have.

Our sufficiency is of God, not of things and not of ourselves (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The Scriptures tell us all that we are to seek God, seek His Kingdom, seek righteous, live in faith and love.

Money cannot give you love. Money cannot make us happy or give us peace. Money cannot save us or give us security. God is love, only God gives true love, only God gives joy, only God gives peace, only God saves, and only God can give anyone eternal security.

God tells us all that we are not to labor to be rich, because the riches of this world are worth nothing (Proverbs 23:4). Money can't make you somebody, for we are nothing without Christ.

You can't keep anything you acquire in this world. Anything you obtain here, money, possessions, anything you think you own here can be taken from you.

The salvation of God is eternal for all who remain in Christ, and no one or nothing can steal your salvation from you.

God wants us to be happy and true happiness is to store up, invest our time and energy in things that will last, that have eternal substance (John 6:27).

There is no lasting profit in storing up treasures on this earth, because this earth and all that is in it will vanish one day, but the treasures we store in Heaven will last for all eternity (Matthew 6:19-20).

Our home is not here, the things of this earth are not ours, but our home is in Heaven with God, the things of God and our inheritance is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:4).

By the grace and love of God, when we understand what true riches really are, we know that by God's grace, God knows exactly what we need and He will provide for ALL our needs. Note that God promises to supply all our needs, not all our wants. All our needs will be supplied according to God's will. (Philippians 4:19).

Through faith, we trust God to meet all our needs according to His will, not our will. We are to seek the will of God first in all things. God knows what is best for us in all things.

God tells us in His Holy word, to seek first the Kingdom of God, pray for the Kingdom of God to come to you first, and seek the righteousness of God first, and then all things will be added to you.

God is concerned about our salvation first and foremost. God wants all people to first seek His Kingdom, seek salvation, seek God's righteousness, know what is really important, first.

First, God wants us to get right with Him. God wants us to get our priorities in order. FIRST, you are to seek God's kingdom and seek God's righteous, AND THEN all things will be given to you. Nothing else is as important as your salvation, the Kingdom of God, your righteousness.

God knows what is best for our lives. By placing our complete trust and faith in God, all things will be added to us. We are not to worry about anything this life puts before us, this is not our eternal home, Heaven is our eternal home with our God and Saviour.

We are NOT to put anything before our LORD God in Heaven. We are NOT to place anything as a higher priority than our relationship with our Saviour and King Jesus. We are NOT to have anything placed before the Lord God Almighty. We are NOT to worry about the things of this life.

We are to seek the Kingdom of God FIRST, and THEN all things will be given to you. When we surrender all parts of our life to God, then God will take care of ALL our needs. When we place our hope and complete trust in God for all things, we are seeking God.

King Solomon was very wealthy with the riches of this world, but he didn't pray to God to get that way. King Solomon prayed for wisdom from God to have an understanding heart to judge God's people fairly. King Solomon wanted God's will to be done, not his own. This pleased God (1 Kings 3:10). Because Solomon asked for the wisdom from God to fairly judge God's people, and Solomon didn't ask for long life, or riches for himself, or to kill his enemies, God not only gave him just wisdom, but what he didn't ask for, both riches and honor (1 Kings 3:11-13).

All the money in this world will not give you comfort and peace. True comfort and true peace can only come from the Comforter, the Prince of Peace.

God is able to supply all our daily needs. In the Lord's Prayer that was given to us by Jesus, as a model of how we should pray, it states - "Give us this day our daily bread". We know through faith in God that He is sufficient to meet all of our daily needs.

God is able to supply us strength to do His will and follow after His righteousness.

Just as we love God every day, and our saving faith is continuous, so is seeking the kingdom of God is a life long pursuit, we are never to stop, we are to seek the kingdom of God today and every day, it doesn't end until the day we die, (or when the Lord returns, whichever comes first).

So, should we pray for money? I think that it is best that we pray for the things God says in His word that we are to pray for and leave everything else in His capable hands.

What if you pray for $100.00 and God wants to give you $1,000.00? What if you pray for $1,000.00 and God wants to give you $10,000.00? Do we really want to place limits on our prayers? No, we don't. Believe this, God knows what is best for you. What we need to pray is God's will be done, just as Jesus instructed us to with the Lord's Prayer - "Thy will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven".

Why? Because, if we have too much, we may think too much of ourselves; and, if we have too little we may become a thief and curse God (Proverbs 30:9).

All God's children are rich. We might NOT all be rich by the world's standards, but we are rich by God's standards, and that's all that truly matters.

True riches, the riches of God, is what Jesus taught and preached to all people, when He walked this earth. Jesus led people to the glory of God, the true riches of God, which are not of this world, which cannot be found in gaining all the material possession of this whole world.

We are rich, because as the children of God, we have received the Salvation of God, by grace through faith, we will inherit the kingdom of God, we will inherit all things according to the glory and grace of God. Nothing is richer, nothing is greater than God and His Kingdom.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:14-18

The glory of God will be revealed only to the children of God, only the children of God will inherit all things from God. Only the children of God, the saved in Christ Jesus, will inherit the Kingdom of God.

As the children of the Most High God, our treasures are NOT of this world, our riches are NOT of this world, but our treasure is Christ Jesus in Heaven.

Abundant life with God is NOT the things of this earth, not gold and not silver, and not cash money.

Abundant life is being set free from the things of this world, from the bondage of sin and death, through faith in Christ Jesus.

Our riches are in Heaven with our God, our treasure is our King Jesus, and spending eternity in the presence of Almighty God.

All the money in the world is worthless to save anyone from sin and death. Only the righteousness of Christ Jesus can save anyone from the wrath of God, received through salvation by faith in Him.

The righteousness of God, which is by faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:22), delivers us from death, the riches of this world profit no one in salvation.

God says that all people who place their trust in their riches will fall in the end. Only those who place their complete trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation will reign for eternity in Heaven with God.

Worldly wealth deceives the rich into thinking, that they are strong by themselves and they do not need God, their own conceit forms a high wall and keeps God out of their lives.

Money has a way of flying out the window. Worldly riches are not eternal, are unreliable, fleeting. You can be worldly rich one day and the next be flat broke, because riches make themselves wings and fly away. Worldly wealth is deceitful because it is never stable, never trustworthy, never reliable. We are to place our trust in the One True God who is eternal and will never lie to us or leave us.

God says worldly riches are not forever. Only the things of God, the riches of God endure for eternity.

Earthly riches are deceitful, because they can replace God in our lives. If we place our trust and faith in money, earthly riches, material possessions, anything instead of God, then our riches are deceitful. Great wealth can blind people to the truth of God.

We are to have faith in God alone. God is enough. Faith in God alone is enough. We are NOT to place our faith in anyone or anything other than the One True Living LORD God Almighty.

When people get wrapped up in the deceitfulness of riches, the endless want of more riches upon more riches, their focus is no longer on God, but their focus is on their money. People with lots of money are preoccupied as to how to keep what they have from vanishing away, and how to make more and more.

God says "labor not to be rich", that our focus, our labor is not to be for worldly riches. Yes, we are all to work to feed, clothe, and house ourselves, but not to be rich, but we are to labor so we are not a burden on others, that we labor and do our fair share of work, to support ourselves and support our families. God never condones laziness.

As with all things, our work, our labor, is to be for the glory of God, not to gain earthly riches.

Our focus is to be on God, our labor is to be focused on loving God today and every day and sharing the gospel of Christ and the love of God with other people. Earthly riches do not bring people to the saving grace of God.

God is greater than money, Christ is more worthy of our time than the pursuit of wealth and accumulation of things.

Deceitfulness of riches is when people focus on how to make more money and how to keep the money they have, instead of placing their focus on God and His Kingdom.

Riches are deceitful when we believe that riches will make us happy, or bring us love, or give us comfort, or deliver security, or solve our problems, or give us peace, or help us, or gain us wisdom, or give us knowledge, or give us truth, or save us, because only God can give us those things.

The truth is material riches cannot make someone happy, cannot buy love, cannot give anyone comfort, is not true security, cannot solve any problem, cannot give anyone peace, cannot help anyone, cannot give anyone wisdom, cannot give knowledge of the truth, cannot buy anyone entrance into Heaven, and material possessions, money cannot save anyone from damnation.

God is the only Saviour who can save anyone from sin and death. God is love. God is peace. God is the Comforter. God is our deliverer. God is our refuge. God is our strength. God is our helper. God is truth and wisdom. God is able to help us and only God can save us from sin and death.

By the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are saved from sin and death and hell, and receive salvation, entrance into the Kingdom of God, entrance into Heaven to spend eternity with King Jesus our Lord God forever.

Very few people control their riches, but riches control many people. Worldly wealth consumes the lives of many people. Earthly riches consumes the thoughts of many people. The pursuit of money consumes the mind, the heart, the soul, the spirit, the strength - the lives of many people.

We are not to give control over our lives to anyone but God. We are not to be consumed with anyone or anything other than Christ Jesus.

TAKE HEED, BEWARE. We are to be careful what we hear, who we listen to, who we give to our thoughts and our hearts. Don't listen to this world's view of wealth, don't believe the world's view that 'more is better', 'no one can be too rich', 'you need it', 'you want it', 'you must get it now, no matter what the cost'.

Believe the truth of God. God says that we are not to labor to be rich. God says that a person's life does NOT consist of the abundance of things we have.

Material things, money, worldly riches, abundance of possessions, control the lives of many people. Money is the ruler in the lives of many people. Riches are the master of many people. Many people worship money.

Don't make money your idol. Idolatry is a sin against God, no matter what the idol is. If you wake up thinking about money, think about it all day long, go to bed thinking about money, you have a big problem. God is waiting on you to give Him your cares, your problems, to fix you.

There is only one Lord God and Master Jesus Christ, who is the only one to whom we are to surrender to and give control over our lives.

What do you desire with all your heart and soul? The word of God tells us that we are to want and desire God with all our heart and with all our soul, not things. The word of God tells us that we are to pursue Him, seek His Kingdom, not money or material possessions here on earth.

The word of God tells us that this world and all that is in this world is temporal, will not last, and that we will take nothing from here to our eternal life.

Salvation from God is the treasures of the heart. The riches and treasures of God are eternal, eternal life, salvation, love, peace, comfort, grace, faith. The riches and treasures of God have nothing to do with this world or its money.

Riches, money, material treasures of this world, cannot save anyone from sin and death. Treasures, all the money of this world will not gain anyone entrance into the Kingdom of God for eternity.

The money of wicked people gained through evil and wickedness, profit them nothing. Only the treasures of the righteous, the saved, the just who live by faith will be delivered from death.

The word of God tells us that lots of money brings trouble. God says that "better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure".

The financially poor person has less to steal their focus away from God, this is why many poor people in the word of God were seen having greater faith in God than those with lots of money.

Great wealth can blind the mind of some people to believing that they are in control of their lives, or that they control their own destiny. They rely less and less on God for their needs, because they falsely believe that their money takes care of them and holds their future. Some people fear God less when they fear losing their money more.

Others gain their wealth through lies and deceit. Gaining wealth through lies and deceit is the pathway to death, which is eternal separation from God.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Proverbs 21:6

And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. Isaiah 33:6

God tells us all in His word that we are NOT to gather for ourselves treasure here on earth, but we are to build up treasures for ourselves in Heaven.

The dictionary defines prosperity as the condition of being successful or thriving; economic well-being.

The word of God tells us that there are two types of people in the world, believers and non-believers, the saved and the lost, earthly and heavenly, and prosperity is defined differently for worldly people and heaven bound people.

Eternal life is the prosperity of believers, the saved in Christ Jesus. The prosperity of the children of God are the blessings of God.

Worldly prosperity

The dictionary defines prosperity as the condition of being successful or thriving; economic well-being.

When the world says that someone is prosperous, they generally mean that they are successful in terms of the world, that they have high position in terms of this world, that they have money and material possessions.

The tradition of men and the tradition of God are separate and opposite. The rudiments of the world, the principles of the world, are NOT after Christ. The fundamental truth of the world is opposite than the fundamental truth of Christ.

Heavenly prosperity

God has a different view on prosperity, than the world. Prosperity in the eyes of God is flourishing in the glory of God and growing in the Spirit of God, being in favor with God, pleasing God.

Great gain in the world's view is generally money, but great gain in God's view is godliness with contentment.

Great gain, riches, prosperity, wealth, and treasures are viewed differently between God and the world.

God wants us to expand, be fat, be prosperous in the knowledge of Him, NOT the things of this world. Wisdom and understanding of God come from God alone, not this world. (Ephesians 1:17)

God wants us to build up our treasures in Heaven, NOT treasures here on this earth. This earth and all that's in it will pass away one day. The money, the houses, the furniture, the airplanes, the cars, the boats, the buildings, the clothes, the shoes, the jewelry, the electronics, the computers, everything on this earth will be destroyed by the hand of God by fire one day.

Nothing here on this earth is the treasures or riches of the children of God. The Hope of Glory is Jesus Christ in us, Jesus is the riches of God (Colossians 1:27).

The glory of God is the riches of the children of God, and our treasure is our King Lord Jesus Christ. Our riches, our treasures are in Heaven, not on this earth.

Do not be deceived. Prosperity preaching is not biblical. The idea that if you are truly favored by God that you will be materially and monetarily blessed is not biblical. The idea that because you give money to some person that you will be financially compensated is not biblical.

There seems to be a lot of preaching today about prosperity. Not the prosperity of God, but worldly prosperity. The word of God tells us that there are many false prophets, false teachers, false preachers, in the world today, and that we are NOT to believe every one of them. Just because someone says that they are a preacher or teacher of God, doesn't mean that they are of God.

Teaching God favors some of His children with wealth over others, teaching things of this earth is great gain and of God, teaching that it is good to be financially wealthy, teaching God wants us all to be wealthy, teaching it is okay to covet, teaching it is okay to desire earthly things, teaching new revelation, teaching other doctrines contrary to the word of God, such teachings are false and are NOT of God.

False teaching 1: God wants us to be rich, prosperous.

There is NOT one scripture that states God wants us to be rich with money, or prosperous with earthly things. The prosperity that these false teachers are preaching is the prosperity of the world. God has a different prosperity for us than that of this world, because God is not of this world.

The prosperity of God, the riches of God are not found on this earth. The prosperity of God is not in gold or silver, or any money, is not in clothes, houses, cars, boats, planes, land, status, stocks and bonds. The riches of God are found in God. The prosperity of God is in His Son, found through salvation, by believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, we receive eternal life, abundant life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

False teachers pull selected scriptures from the word of God and pervert their meaning into their false doctrines (Galatians 1:6-8). By knowing the scriptures we can spot these false teachers a mile away. By knowing the word of God we know when it is being twisted. By keeping the word of God in our hearts, we can know the truth of God, and discern between fact and fiction. There are many false doctrines being preached all around the world today, even in your town, and will be until the end of the world.

If God wanted us all to be financial wealthy, He would have created us all that way, because nothing is impossible with God, and God does what He pleases (Psalm 135:6). Earthly wealth means nothing to our Heavenly Father, riches of this world mean nothing to our Lord Jesus Christ. As children of the most high God, they should mean nothing to us either.

We are to seek the kingdom of God, we are to seek the righteousness of Christ Jesus, we are to follow the ways of Christ, not the ways of this evil ungodly world.

False teaching 2: God favors some of His children with financial wealth

There is NOT one scripture that states God favors some of His children over others with gold and silver, money, and material possessions.

The word of God tells us all that God does not favor anyone over anyone else, God is NO respecter of persons (Colossians 3:25).

Many of the false teachers of this day have great financial wealth, but this does NOT mean that they have special favor with God. The word of God tells us that the wicked of this world also have financial wealth, and we are not to envy them.

The word of God states that the righteous are blessed by the favor of God (Proverbs 14:9). The favor of the LORD will compass the righteous as with a shield.

The favor of God is found in us through righteousness, understanding, knowledge and the wisdom of God (Proverbs 3).

The favor of God is found by all who accept the salvation of God (Proverbs 8:35). All who diligently seek good obtain the favor of the Lord (Proverbs 11:27, 12:2, 13:15)

False teaching 3: It is good to be financial wealthy

There is NOT one scripture that earthly power, earthly possessions, great material wealth, silver, gold, money, is great gain. The word of God tells us all that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

False teaching 4: God wants us to be financial wealthy

There is NOT one scripture that states God wants us to strive after great material wealth, more and more earthly possessions, more money, more gold, more silver, more power.

The word of God tells us to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5), following righteousness and godliness is great gain is prosperity in the eyes of God.

The word of God states that blessed be the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God and God says woe to them who are rich for you have received your consolation (Luke 6:20, 24).

The word of God reads that a good name is better than great riches, and loving favor better than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1).

The word of God teaches that those with great riches have nothing (Proverbs 13:7).

God says that His instruction and His wisdom and His understanding is better than silver and gold (Proverbs 3:13-14, 8:10, 16:16).

False teaching 5: We can all be financially wealthy

There is NOT one scripture that states God will, maybe not today but someday, give us financial freedom.

We are to trust in God, not money, we are to love God NOT money. The word of God states that we are to be content with God in whatever state we are in (Philippians 4:11). True freedom is NOT found financially, it is found spiritually through salvation in Christ Jesus. Freedom from sin and death is freedom, is true victory found in only one, Jesus Christ, who by faith is the only way to salvation.

False teaching 6: If you aren't financially wealthy, it is your fault, you don't have enough faith

There is NOT one scripture that states God will make us financially wealthy if we have enough faith.

The word of God states that all good things are received from God above. The word of God states that we receive all things that God wants us to have. The word of God states that we receive good things from God as it pleases Him (Psalm 115:3).

The things that please God are not of this world. Who could think anything of this world, wealth, earthly possessions could please God? (Isaiah 55:8-9).

When people choose to believe in His Son, have faith in Jesus Christ to salvation, turn from sin to God, this pleases God (Ezekiel 18:32; 1 John 2:24)

The children of God are not of this world. The Lord's people pleases God (Psalm 149:4). The faithfulness of His children pleases God (Hebrews 10:38). The righteousness of His children, pleases God (1 John 3:10; 1 Chronicles 29:17; 3 John 1:4). The children of God seeking out others to lead to Him, pleases God (Matthew 5:16; 28:19; Mark 16:15). To give His kingdom to His children, pleases God (Luke 12:32). That the children of God have continuing, never ending, doubtless faith in His Son, pleases God (John 15:9; Acts 2:42, 14:22; Colossians 1:23; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:14) .

God is well pleased with His Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the sins of the world, so that we through His resurrection from the grave might receive salvation and eternal life. (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 2 Peter 1:17)

To do good and giving thanks to God continually pleases God (Hebrews 13:15-16; Philippians 2:13).

Praising the name of God with a song, magnifying Him with thanksgiving, this pleases God (Psalm 69:30-31).

False teaching 6: It is okay to want what I have, it is okay to desire wealth and things of others

There is NOT one scripture that states God wants us to desire the things of others.

The word of God states that desiring the things of others is coveting. Coveting in against the laws of God (Romans 7:7). God tells us in His word, that we are NOT to covet anything (Exodus 20:17; Romans 13:9; Deuteronomy 5:21). Covetousness is NOT of God (Psalm 10:3). God says ALL who covet after money err from the faith (1 Timothy 6:10). Covetousness is evil and defiles anyone (Mark 7:21-23). BEWARE! All people who practice the sin of covetousness will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

God says that our life is NOT in the abundance of material things that we possess.

False teaching 7: Some teachers have a new revelation of God's will, how to get wealthy

There is NOT one scripture that states God gives new revelation, a new teaching, a new message in addition to His word.

The fact is that God states that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The will of God remains constant, never changing and never ending.

God states that He will never contradict His own word. If someone tells you they have a new revelation from God that overrides the word of God, takes place of the word of God, that replaces the existing word, and is different than what God says, you can be assured that they are a false teacher, because God will never give prophecy, or word to anyone that contradicts His own word.

The word of God states that we are NOT to listen to any doctrine that is contrary to God's word. (Proverbs 19:27; Romans 16:17). The word of God is complete, nothing will ever be added to or subtracted from God's divine Word (Revelation 22:18-19).

False prosperity preaching is not new, teaching that being financial secure is incurring the favor of God was taught by false teachers throughout the ages.

Prosperity preaching is nothing new, back in the day when Jesus walked the earth in the likeness of man, the Pharisees falsely taught that financial wealth was confirmation of God's favor. This was a stumblingblock to many, since Jesus was poor, then how could He be the Messiah. Many were waiting for a King, a Christ with great financial wealth and prestige.

False teaching 8: It is okay to want earthly things

There is NOT one scripture that states God wants us to desire things of this earth, want earthly possessions, want anything of this world.

The word of God states that we are NOT to mind earthly things, but that we are to seek those things which are above, desire the things of God in Heaven, NOT things in this world (Colossians 3:1-2). The word of God states that we are not to love this world or the things in it, and that all that is in the world is not of God the Father, but is of the world (1 John 2:16). Christ is NOT of this world, and the children of God are NOT of this world, we want the things of Christ, not of this world (John 17:6, 16).

The world's slogan is "it is okay to look", "it is okay to want", "it is okay to lust", "it is okay to covet", this is NOT what God says that He wants for His own children.

God says that those who love wealth will never be satisfied with wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

God tells us all that wealth cannot deliver a man's soul from the wrath of God and death, and wealth is a stumblingblock of their iniquity (Ezekiel 7:19).

Our desire should be to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that we might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:9-17

How do we know someone's preaching is the truth from God?

Who can we listen to, today, who preaches the truth? Know that there is only one truth, the truth of God.

How do we distinguish which doctrine is false and which doctrine is true? By the doctrine of God found in His word.

God gives us all the ability to distinguish false doctrine from His true doctrine, by His word. The word of God was given to all of us for instruction, reproof, to prove what He says, and to prove if people are preaching God's doctrine or their own doctrine. (Proverbs 8:10-11)

The word of God states that we are to receive His instruction, not silver, and receive His knowledge rather than choice gold, because God's wisdom is better than rubies, and nothing can be compared to it.

No amount of money, all the money in this world can compare to the instruction, the knowledge and the wisdom of God.

The children of God's riches are in Heaven, NOT here on earth.

God tells us all in His word, that we are NOT to desire earthly things, but that our conversation is in Heaven, our life is not here or found in things of this earth. Our future is in the Kingdom of God, not here on this earth, so why should we worry about getting things here, why should we desire things here, when this is not our final home.

Why should we labor and give all we have to this world, to the things of this world, when one day it will ALL be destroyed? What good is a huge bank account, a big house, lots of earthly possessions, at the end of our life, when we die we have nothing. We brought nothing into this world and we take nothing out.

We should labor for the things that will be with us throughout eternity, we should labor for heavenly things, eternal treasures, not temporary things (John 6:27).

Let's say you are moving in the future, you are going to leave everything where you currently live and go to a different country. In this new country your money is worthless, it has no value. You cannot take your house or your furniture or your car or your clothes or your electronics or anything that you currently own. Would you invest your time in buying and obtaining more meaningless stuff?

This different country that you are moving to has different rules, material possessions don't mean anything, are worthless. Any status or power you may have had here mean nothing. Any college degrees you possess are meaningless. Nothing you own or possess is transferable into this different country.

This is like our eternal destiny, our eternal home in Heaven, we will have nothing of this world with us.

God tells us that all the possession that we own, the material things that we have will NOT go with us to our Heavenly home, when we die.

What follows us into eternity?

Is there anything that goes with us into eternity when we die? Do we take anything with us when we die?

We know through scripture that our soul and our spirit separate from our bodies and go into eternity. Our earthly bodies do not follow us into eternity, because they are flesh, blood, and bones, and God said that no earthly body can enter His Kingdom. Our earthly bodies will be changed one day into a heavenly body and connect again with our spirit.

God says in His word that our works follow us into eternity. (Revelation 14:13)

As the children of God we are created to maintain good works, the good works of God, the good works of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10; 4:24; Matthew 5:16; 2 Timothy 3:17).

What are the good works of God? Faith in Jesus Christ is the word of God. The good works of God is believing in His Son, Jesus Christ to salvation, faith.

The good works of God are the children of God living in righteousness and godliness (1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:12).

The good works of God are the children of God living in faith and living by faith (Romans 1:17; .

The good works of God are the children of God letting the light of Christ show through our lives as to bring others to God.

The good works of God are the children of God remaining pure in God, spotless, sober, obedient to the word of God until the return of Christ.

The good works of God are the children of God loving one another and provoking one another into love and to do good works of God (Hebrews 10:24).

The good works of God are the children of God doing good works, that when others see them they glorify God (1 Peter 2:12).

The good works of God are the children of God willingly and freely giving, distributing, communicating the love of God to salvation (1 Timothy 6:18).

Our focus should be Heavenly, not earthly. There is nothing here on this planet that can save our souls, nothing in this world can give us eternal life.

Then, should preachers preach prosperity? They should preach the prosperity of God, but not prosperity of this world.

God tells us all that even our conversation is to be without covetousness. We are all to be content with what we have, we are not to covet the things others possess.

God promises His faithful children to never leave them, nor forsake them. Material things, money, houses, planes, cars, land, gold, silver, stocks and bonds, are not eternal.

The favor of God is NOT measured with how much money we have or by our material possessions, as some false teachers would like you to believe.

There is serious heresy in churches today, where teachers and preaches tell their congregations that they must be doing something wrong if they aren't rich. The blessings of God have nothing to do with this world, especially money. The favor of God is not financial, the favor of God is spiritual.

Preaching that the blessing of God and the favor of God is money and material possession is a lie, is a fable. Some false teachers would like us to believe that God is some financial banker in Heaven, pouring money down on a select few of "blessed" followers.

God says in His word to all of us, that gain is not godliness, having great financial successful is NOT godliness. God says, godliness with contentment is great gain, being content with God with His godliness is great gain. Godliness with contentment is prosperity.

The word of God reads that anyone, any teacher, any preacher, any person who causes ONE person to err will be punished. By leading others into covetousness, wanting money, desiring material possessions, over desiring the righteousness of God, is leading people away from the truth of God. By leading God's children astray these false teaches encore the wrath of God.

False teachers of worldly prosperity, may prosper here on this earth for a season, with their money and material possessions, their great worldly prosperity, but they have lost their reward in Heaven (Colossians 3:25).

There will be many teachers and preachers who will not be granted entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

What is sad, is these false teachers, these professing men and women of God (Titus 1:16), know the truth, they are learned by the same Bible that we are, but they choose to teach the lies of satan (Romans 1:32).

Some people find it impossible to believe that their preacher, their teacher, their leader, their spouses, their church or organization, could teach anything but what God wants them to. Some people blindly follow false teachers, because they cannot believe they could tell anything but the truth of God.

God says that we are not to put our faith in any person here on this earth, we are to put our complete faith and trust in Him alone. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Throughout His word, God warned us about false teachers that are here, today in this world, spreading the lies of satan, perverting, twisting His Holy word for their own glory.

God warns us about false teachers in His Holy word, who appear to be like the saved in Christ, who profess to be Christians, but who are not of God, but are sheep in wolves clothing, seeking to lead even the very elect away from God.

Yes, God says that these false teachers, these antichrists, will lead away even the saved from the faith, the very elect of God. This is why we should always be prepared and cautious of who we listen to, we should always have on the full armor of God for our protection against satan and his followers.

We are not to worship the creature over the Creator. We are not to place our faith and hope in a preacher or teacher or any person , over God. God is the only one worthy of our worship, worthy of our trust, worthy of our faith and hope.

What does God say that we should do about false teachers and preachers, that twist and pervert the word of God for their own gain? What does God say that we should do about those who spread lies, invent fables that the blessings and favor of God is evident by how much money and material possessions a person has?

God tells us in His word that we should BEWARE of false teachers, false prophets, false preachers, false witnesses, who appear to be preaching the truth of God, but are in disguise (Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13).

Can true believers, the saved in Christ, be deceived by false teachers? God says that many false teachers will rise up and deceive many, even the elect, the saved in Christ. (Matthew 24:11,24; Mark 13:22)

God says that we are to avoid them (Romans 16:17) and withdraw ourselves from them (1 Timothy 6:5). Our interaction with false teaches should be brief and for the purpose of guiding them to the truth of God. False teachers lead many away from the truth of God, and could possible lead you away. We should always be on our guard with false teachers, we should put on the full armor of God when we are in the presence of the enemy.

What are we to do with false teaching? God says that we are to "touch not, taste not, handle not" (Colossians 2:20-23). Believers are separated from the evil of this world by the blood of Jesus, as separate we are not to have anything to do with ingesting, viewing, hearing, touching, anything that is contrary to the doctrine of the one true living God. (2 John 1:9-11)

Those who preach another doctrine other than the doctrine of God, are the enemies of God. False teachers are enemies of God. The enemies of God are believer's enemies. God instructs us all to love our enemies and pray for everyone.

The word of God gives us many examples, how to spot false teachers. We must not be deceived by the works of the devil.

Not by appearance

God says that we can't tell by outward appearance, that even satan can transform himself into an angel of light. Since the devil himself can transform himself into an angel of light, it is no great thing that the devil's ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

A prominent church, a large congregation, a nice suit, a television show, a wealthy person, does not make someone a teacher of the truth. Material things are not a prerequisite of a true teacher of God.

Not by their words

As the devil knows all the scriptures of God, so do false teachers. False teachers know the words of God, they can quote them verbatim, scripture and verse. Knowing, memorizing the word of God does not make anyone righteous, salvation is by faith, not words.

Many false prophets, false preachers, false teachers, may know the word of God, the scriptures better than you, but that doesn't mean they are handling the word of God properly.

False teachers use the word of God to corrupt and deceive, just like satan does.

By their works

By doctrine

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:8-9

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:18-19

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Who they bring glory to

God says that we will know false teachers because they glory in themselves, are self promoting.

All the glory belongs to God (1 Corinthians 1:31), those who speak of themselves seek their own glory.

By the indwelling of the Holy Ghost

God says that we will know false teachers by the Holy Spirit that lives inside of us, God will convict our hearts as to who is false and who is preaching the truth of God.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:17

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:6

By the word of God

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Who owns everything? That's right, God owns everything. Everything we see was created by the word of our God Almighty, the Creator of all things.

What do we really own? We own nothing. Everything good that we have is given to us by God. We are nothing without God. Only through God can we have all things.

We have nothing. We brought nothing into this world when we were born, AND we will take nothing out of this world when we leave.

The word of God tells us that Jesus came from the riches of Heaven from God to earth to save the world.

Jesus left His Kingdom to come to earth in order to destroy sin and death for us. Jesus left the riches of Heaven to come to earth, , he became poor, manifested in the flesh, like man, to save man from sin and death. Jesus became poor that through His poverty we might receive the riches of God.

Jesus stepped down from the riches of Heaven, to manifest Himself in the flesh, put on the likeness of man, to fulfill the Word of God, to submit to death on a cross, to sacrifice His own life for us, shed His own blood for our sins, so that we might be reconciled to God, so that we could choose eternal life, be forgiven of all sin, be freed from sin and death, receive the inheritance of God, eternal life in His Kingdom for all eternity.

Jesus came to earth for us, to forgive us our sins through His death on the cross, and give us eternal life through His resurrection and life.

Jesus became poor on this earth, in order to give us the riches of God, found in God through Christ Jesus in the everlasting Kingdom of Heaven.

By the grace of God, though Jesus Christ was rich, for our sakes Jesus became poor, that through the poverty of Christ Jesus we might be rich.

God did NOT give His Son to the world so that we could have money and material things, NO, God gave His only begotten Son to the world, so that whosoever believed in Him would NOT perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus was sent to save us from sin and death, not to expand our bank account. Financial wealth was not the motivation of God to send His only begotten Son into this world. Financial wealth was never the motive of Jesus while He was on this earth as the Son of man. Financial wealth will never be the motive of true followers of Christ Jesus.

The path to Heaven is not paved with silver and gold. Jesus never preached that we were to be financial secure. Jesus preached that we were to be spiritual secure. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of money.

Jesus sent His own disciples out to preach with no money, one coat not two, nothing extra. Jesus wanted them to trust in God for all their needs, spiritual, physical, mental, and financial. The Lord will provide was their motto.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. Luke 9:1-3

But that was way back then, times were different in Jesus' day on earth. Yes, they were, they were much harder.

Who are the disciples of Jesus? Today we are, anyone who has been born again, are the disciples of Christ Jesus. We are to have the same faith and trust in our LORD God as the twelve.

When we choose God, when we answer God's call to salvation, when we place our faith in God, we become a member of the family of God, we become the disciples of Jesus.

Just like the chosen twelve disciples of Christ Jesus, we are sustained by the grace of God through faith. Our sufficiency is of God, not in material possessions.

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:3-6

Jesus has always existed. Jesus is the Word and in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, the Word was God. From the beginning Jesus was, Jesus has always existed. Through Jesus all things were created. All things belong to God. Jesus Christ was rich and is still rich, Jesus cannot change, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus became poor for our sakes, for us, for all the people of all the world, so that through His poverty we may be rich, through salvation and inherit all things, become co-heirs with Jesus Christ and inherit the Kingdom of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:17

Salvation cannot be purchased with money. The salvation of God belongs to God. No one but God can give His salvation. The salvation of God cannot be purchased with money.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8:14-23

We see in the word of God, that the gift of God, salvation, cannot be purchased with money.

Our heavenly Father God knows that humans would try and cheapen His Holy gift by putting a price tag on it, so He let everyone know through His Holy scripture that His gift may NOT be purchased with money.

What would be a fair price for everlasting life? Ten thousand dollars, one million dollars, I think not. The price would be too high for any of us to ever afford it. And what about the poor, who have no money, how would they afford to purchase salvation. God said salvation, His free gift, may NOT be purchased with money.

A gift is not purchased anyway, and salvation is the gift of God, given freely to all people who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Not money, not position, not works, not deeds, nothing we have or can do can purchase salvation, because salvation, eternal life is the gift of God.

Eternal life is given of God to all who have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ to salvation.

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:11-13