Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; “I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before Me.”
Isaiah 48:17-19
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” Proverbs 11:2-4 (KJB)
“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but He casteth away the substance of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:2-3 (KJB)
As we look at the following verses from Proverbs let us consider how we are to treat our neighbor. The one next door, and the one 12,500 miles away. The heart of the Christian is growing to become more like that of Jesus Christ, and He gave us the story of the “Good Samaritan” which is a familiar story the world over (Luke 10:30-37). If every Christian would live like this, there would be less trouble between neighbors.
“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.” Proverbs 11:1-6 (KJV)
The following are some points to ponder…
There is destruction awaiting those connected to unrighteousness.
There is deliverance for the righteous; but “transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.” (Jeremiah 2:19)
There were a few times when I was a kid, that I got to use whitewash. Some may be asking, “What is whitewash?” I do not remember what the ingredients in it are, but I remember it was used by many people to put a cheap covering over a hard looking building, fence, or barn. It only had an appearance of looking good for a rain or two; then it was a mess.
Jesus referred to “Whited sepulchres” in Matthew 23:27; which is reference for covering, putting a false appearance on a tomb making it appear to be something it was not. He likens them to being “Whited sepulchres”.
The prophet Ezekiel speaking to the captives in Babylon is used by God to confront them of their trust they had placed in false prophets; and not in the LORD.
“Because, even because they have seduced My people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.” Ezekiel 13:10-11 (KJV)
The “Untempered morter” is whitewash. The “Peace” the false preachers had proclaimed was untempered mortar and could not give strength to the wall they claimed they had for safety. It was a crumbling wall, daubed with color, but no real mortar.
The truth of this matter is that false teachings will not stand the test of truth. God is truth. One’s who claim to speak for God better be sure that God has spoken to them. Those who claim to have a word from God, and that word is not fulfilled; does not come to pass has not spoken for God.
For some reason it seems that false teachers who are always making people applaud themselves, never lift up the name of the Lord; and are always trying to increase their profit, by fleecing the sheep. It does not seem it is ever done without asking for a “Seed gift” or some other name.
Their words are like the whitewash. It cannot stand the rains of God’s judgment. The wall of false teaching will come crumbling down.
Here is the mortar that holds all of God’s truth together: Jesus Christ died for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again from the grave. He is returning again some day to receive all who believe in Him to Himself; and so shall we ever live with the Lord (John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery:’ but I say unto you, ‘That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.’ It hath been said, ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:’ but I say unto you, ‘That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.'” ~Jesus (Matthew 5:27-32)
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Things That Really Count
Numbers 11 – 30
In our world today everything is digital. What does that mean. Some how the “experts”, at least those in the know about such things have figured out how we can have cell phones digitally; with their towers digitally; televisions are digital now; the computers are digital.
A “digit” is defined in the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICITONARY as “any of the figures 1 to 9 inclusive and usually the symbol 0.”
Some how the numbers 1 and 0 are the link to it all. When you have the right equipment you can place those numbers in “cyber space”, pull them out with a CD player, DVD player, or HDTV picture, and you have music, movies in your home and over the air, sattelite TV.
We look in the Bible and we see Digital is nothing new with God. Numbers or Digits do count with God.
1. The People Count;
2. The Sacrifices Count;
3. Disobedience Counts toward Judgment (Chapters 11-16);
4. There is a Prophet who Counted for Profit (23-25);
5. The Rock in the Wilderness Counts (20:7-11; Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4);
6. The Inheritance Counts for All (26-30; Romans 8:16-17).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (KJV)
According to tax records and stats the rich of the United States of America are only about 2 percent of the population. I am not sure what income level that richness begins. Is it one half million per year, a million, or what is the beginning point of richness?
I have never had wealth, as far as the wealth of the world goes, so I do not have a clue as to the feelings of responsibility with that wealth. I know I do sometimes become angry when I hear of the profits of big corporations, the big million dollar bonuses of the CEO’s, COO’s, etc. and then the astronomical prices people must pay for their product.
When I hear of a Christian brother of sister becoming better off it is a great joy; however, it is an even greater joy to know that they are following the Lord in the management of their new found wealth.
The rich of the world; be they Christian or not need to realize where their wealth came from. Most definitely some people earn what they have made, and have worked very hard for what they have, and they should be able to enjoy their blessings; yet, they must realize that the strength they had, the health they have enjoyed comes from God, and He is the One who has truly blessed them.
All that we have is God’s. We are only stewards of what God has given us. We all need to realize that the Creator is really the giver, the provider of all good things; and He has blessed us to share with those who are less fortunate.
The one foundation the rich must have, is the same foundation that the poor must have; and that foundation is the Rock, Jesus Christ.
Just one finishing note. God is not for a redistribution of wealth, making all equal financially. You could give every man, and woman on earth a million dollars; within a month, maybe less, some would have nothing left, some would have much more; and them it would be back to the way it was before.
The greatest wealth and riches one can have is in knowing where you are going. That can only be had by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His bodily resurrection.
-T.A.
The business man; no certain one, no certain company; or even a preacher or pastor tells their people, “All is well. The business is growing”. What is not mentioned is that decay, death, despair is all around.
For a business that may mean the ruin of that company. Layoffs, closing the plant, or the whole company, bankruptcy. For a church – closing the doors because the church never saw the Light of the Lord but listened to the lying words of their “pastor”.
The words of Jeremiah the prophet speak loudly to us today.
“Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations.” Jeremiah 7:8-10 (KJV)
The life of knowing the LORD has no part in turning from Him. We grow in Him – in Christ Jesus the Son of the Living God who died for our sins, was buried and rose; and He forever lives. Because He lives we live, therefore our lives are to show forth His life.
The life of Jesus Christ is a life without sin, obedience to God the Father, glorifying our Creator in what we say and do. When the Bible teacher focuses on living your life now and telling how good human kind is [self] then that is “lying words” and the prophet says, “…that cannot profit”. It is as though mixing muddy water with clean to clean it up. All you have is muddy water; or an ungodly life which takes the glory that belongs only to God.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 