Luke 16:13 KJV, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, June 25, 1894, par. 1, “Why is it that there is so much suffering in our world? One reason is that the rich do not fulfill their God-given responsibilities, and, as good stewards of the grace of God, make distribution for the wants of the poor. Men have perverted their God-given powers, and think only of how they may accumulate wealth. There are thousands of rich people who have every luxury, and do not know what to do with their possessions. They make their bodies idols, and heap treasure upon themselves.”
Ibid., par. 2, “Idleness is sin. To every man and woman God has given his or her work, and all are to employ their time in doing good to others. Through luxury and haughtiness, hard-heartedness and inconsiderate thoughtlessness are developed in the character, and these are found in a large degree among those who hold high positions in the world. Those who have an abundance have little sympathy for the hungry, the naked, and the homeless.”
Ibid., Par. 9, “But not only in the world is the love of riches prevalent, but even in the church gold and silver have been made an idol of. There are many who profess the Saviour’s name who have not helped the poor, nor strengthened the needy, nor regarded him who was ready to perish. The people of God are commissioned to be laborers together with God. Have the offerings of the church been made in proportion to the fields that cry for help? Has the love of Christ constrained those who profess his name to give to advance the gospel message in home and foreign mission fields? To every soul the reward will be, not according to profession, but according to what has been done. Actions will measure the love you have for Christ and for perishing souls. Christ will say to you, whatever has been your course, “Inasmuch as ye have done it [or did it not] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
I thought about the Scripture and the 3 paragraphs above from the writings of EG White. And I think she is right. Few men had so much while many has so little in this world. And the sufferings of many are neglected by the few.
I may not worship a physical idol (man-made) nor a philosophical idol (mind-made) but I can unwittingly worship my personal idol (mine-made). And that is my desire to accumulate wealth for myself and not give to those in need.
As I preach and I teach I pray I will not be covetous nor greedy, nor luxurious but must follow Christ, the Son of the Living God, in alleviating the sufferings of others by sharing my goods and services.
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.
Mark is an under-shepherd serving under the Master shepherd our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mark has a weekly Zoom Sabbath service and Wednesday prayer meeting as well as a daily devotional blog. Please consider supporting Mark’s ministry with your tithes and offerings. You can donate electronically by PayPal using this link: https://plangga.com/donation/ or you can write a check to Mark Lastimoso Ministry and mail to: Mark Lastimoso Ministry PO Box 1334 Reedley, CA 93654 For donations by check, a tax-deductible receipt will be mailed to you at year end. For PayPal or other electronic donations, you will receive a confirmation receipt at time of donation. All donations will be used to support Mark’s ministry only. Follow this link https://plangga.com/work/ to learn more about Mark.