The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Friday, September 25, 2020

THE BAITS OF MONEY 2

The fool rich man builds larger barns in place of the existing ones and starts planning an early retirement. Unknown to him, that was his last night on planet earth. Jesus then closes the story by saying, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.  Ananias and Sapphira are another classic example of people who were driven by greed and the deceitfulness of riches. In Acts 5, we see their story and one will wonder, why were they driven by mammon. Were Ananias and Sapphira saved? We believe they probably were. Their story is told in the context of the actions of “all the believers” (Acts 4:32). They knew of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3), and Ananias’s lie could have been an earlier promise that he would give the whole amount of the sale to the Lord. But the best evidence that they were children of God may be that they received discipline: Ananias and his wife had conspired to garner the accolades of the church; but their conspiracy led to the sin unto death. The case of Ananias and Sapphira illustrates the fact that even believers can be led into bold, flagrant sin. It was Satan that had filled their hearts to lie in this way (Acts 5:3) and “to test the Spirit of the Lord” (verse 9). Covetousness, hypocrisy, and a desire for the praise of men all played a part in their demise.

God desires to bless us, however, he expects us to have an attitude of gratitude and contentment. Jesus came to take away your poverty so you might have prosperity, he came so you might become a King and Priest with God, but you have to let go of greed and the covetousness in order to walk in His perfect will. Seek God first and watch how he will beautify your life (Matthew 6:33).

Confession; I am a Child of God, therefore I have authority over greed and covetousness. I am blessed beyond measure.

Prayer: May I not by any means press the self-destruct button

Further Reading; 2 Corinthians 9:6: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Read Through the Bible: 2 Samuel 22 and Galatians 2