20150820 MAMMON

MAMMON

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Mammon in the KJV).

I mentioned the word, “mammon” a couple days ago and want to repeat Matthew Henry’s definition here. Mammon is a Syriac word that signifies gain; so that whatever in this world is, or is accounted by us to be, gain, is mammon.

The NLT translates mammon as money, but not all people desire money as much as other things and any desire that competes with God for our attention is mammon. You cannot serve two masters unless they are both in full agreement. The masters of this world are not in agreement with the Master of all.

Again we must go back to repentance which is to agree with God. With that in mind, God believes He knows what is best for us, and His first commandment is that we would have no other gods but Him. So it is our duty of love to Him to agree that He does know best and put Him first above all other things. It is to make Him our only god.

Some would say, “I have no desire to be rich. I just don’t want to have to worry about having enough.” What that really means is, “I want to see that my cupboards are full. I want my refrigerator to be full. I don’t want to have to wait on God to come through tomorrow. I want to know way in advance what tomorrow holds. I don’t want to have trust God.” Ouch!

There is a story about George Mueller at one of the orphanages he started. One morning when the children gathered for breakfast there was no food and no milk in the home. George had the children bow their heads and he gave thanks for the food that God was going to provide that day. He gave thanks in faith that what he hoped for would actually happen (Hebrews 11:1).

As George said, “AMEN” there was a knock on the door. Two deliveries arrived within minutes of each other. One was a milk wagon that had broken down right outside the orphanage. The other was from a bakery that had an over-abundance of bread that morning.

Father in heaven, fill us with faith to trust You. Show us if there are any other desires in our hearts that we bow to as gods. Cleanse us of this sin and focus our eyes on You. Give us undivided hearts that worship You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

HUMILITY

HUMILITY

Matthew 5:5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

“Humility,” or “meekness” as many translations put it, is not weakness. It is the greatest of strengths. Psalms 119:165 KJV Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (or cause them to stumble). Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

The humble person, like Christ, is not easily offended, does not strike back quickly, will not speak evil of those who speak evil of him. The humble person is quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. He sees no task as beneath him, no person unworthy of his time. The humble driver yields the right of way, does not demand his way but walks in God’s way.

The humble are blessed. They are blessed because they are at peace and content with God’s plan. Take all they own now and they do not fret for they know they shall inherit the whole earth. They have the promise, they believe the promise and it gives them great joy, peace and contentment now. They know whom they have believed and are persuaded that He is able to keep that which they have committed unto Him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12 my paraphrase). So they do not need to fight and grasp for the stuff of this life. They are already living the abundant life of trust in God’s everlasting and certain promises.

Are there tasks that are beneath you? Are there people not worthy of your time? When you drive do you rush to get ahead of the next guy? Will you kneel down and tie someone else’s shoe? When insulted do you feel you must insult back?

Father in heaven, You alone know our hearts clearly. Show us our humility level. Make us know who we really are and then re-make us to be like Jesus who is meek and lowly in heart and help us to find rest unto our souls. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!