BEWARE OF THE VAIN PURSUIT OF RICHES!

“And He(Jesus Christ) said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses'” (Luke 12 vs 15).

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Who does not want to be rich in this world? Who would not like to own and ride the most expensive and latest luxury car? Who would not like to own estates and live in mansions furnished with the finest state of the art facilities? Which parent would not like to be able to afford the most expensive first rate school to educate his/her children? Who would not like to be listed among the most influential and richest, the Créme de la créme of society?
Your guess will be as good as mine, it is the desire of everyone, except in rare instances, to be rich, wealthy and well to do. The quest for wealth and riches starts off very early in life as parents get formal education for their children. The child soon grows up to pursue a career or profession, and may operate some business ventures to move beyond the reach of poverty into riches and wealth. Sooner than later he/she becomes a parent who must kickstart his child on the riches quest. While it is a good and modest order to be engaged in a productive venture in order to make profit and generate wealth, it is instructive to beware of the pitfall of an immoderate desire for riches and wealth. If the essence of our existence becomes all about how much earthly possessions we can get, and we become obsessed with the pursuit of riches, then we err and are on a dangerous path of becoming losers at the end, and having to bitterly conclude like King Solomon did very many years ago when he said, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanities” (Ecclesiastes 12 vs 8).

The greatest pitfall occasioned by the quest for wealth and riches is when money and material possessions become our object of worship and devotion. When money becomes our god and contests the sovereignty and supremacy of God, our maker and sustainer, when we have no time to worship nor serve God just because we are working at a job or doing business, then we are really undone by it.
Too many people idolize money, material possessions, fame and honours and they can do anything in their worship of riches. Too many people reason that money and possessions give life its essence and the more of them we amass for ourselves, the more meaningful life becomes. They reason that money can buy everything and anything they need, even life, but sooner than later, they come face to face with what money cannot do, and are disappointed. Indeed riches profits nothing in the day of disaster and death (Proverbs 11 vs 4). Our Lord Jesus Christ warns us today to beware of the vain pursuit of riches, to beware of equating the essence of life to the abundance of riches and material possessions.

Riches and wealth are not all there is to life afterall. The Scripture clearly warns us against worshipping the biggest idol of our generation, Money. Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 6 vs 24 that we cannot serve God and Mammon (the idol of Money). It is certainly so, and we need to find out the ways people are worshipping Mammon today.

When you can mortgage your soul and sell it out to the devil in order to get wealth, you are the greatest loser, because your eternal soul is far too precious and valuable than any wealth you can get in this temporal world. No amount of money is enough to buy your soul. What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? (Matthew 16 vs 26). The wealth of the whole world is far too small to buy your soul. This was the ploy of Satan when he showed Jesus Christ the kingdoms of the world with their glories and wealth and offered to give him all of it if He bows to him in worship. Jesus Christ dismissed Satan’s proposal saying “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Matthew 4 vs 8-10). Today, there are many men and women who have sold their souls to the devil through the occult. They have sworn an oath of allegiance to the devil, and that their souls belong to him. Some have signed to live for a few years just so they can get money from Satan. Some have to sacrifice their beloved ones; their wives or husbands, children, fathers, mothers, and dear associates, just to activate or renew their money making ritual. They are completely blind to the fact that they shall die and leave all the money here in the world, and cannot take a penny or cent to the other world.
They have consciously and voluntarily booked their place in Hell fire where they shall suffer and be tormented forever. What then is the good of all the money, houses, lands, cars, companies, etc, when a man or woman leaves them all here just to end up in eternal sorrow and torment in Hell? (Luke 16 vs 19-31). Jesus Christ says to you my friend; “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses” (Luke 12 vs 15).

Do not sell your soul to the devil, he will only cheat you and rob you of all God has to give you now, and the eternal rest He has prepared for your soul in heaven. Are you in the occult, illuminati, or any such evil association, where you have sworn an oath of allegiance to the devil? You must quickly renounce such agreement today and run to God for mercy, He will forgive and restore your soul. Save yourself from the horrible end that awaits you. You have no time to delay, do it now!

There are so many other people who rob and steal the money and properties of others so that they can get rich. Some of these rob at gun point and do not mind snuffing out the lives of their victims in order to get his or her money or property.
Some burgle the houses and offices of others, carting away properties and goods. Some are pickpockets, shoplifters, car jackers, etc. There are some who kidnap others for ransom. Recently a notorious kidnapper was arrested in Lagos and it was discovered he collected ransom from his victims in millions of dollars. There are assassins and ritual killers who are hired to kill targets(victims) for a fee. There are the White-collar thiefs who engage in all kinds of clerical theft, fraudulent transactions, advance fee fraud, embezzlement of public funds by politicians and public office holders, and many others. There are some involved in scamming schemes, fake money investment schemes, cyber thieves, etc. All these activities are engaged in by people who worship money. Covetousness drives people into all these dubious schemes and evil money making practices.

All who are into these forms of evil money making practices in the pursuit of riches, have chosen to serve money and obey the devil rather than obey the commandment of God that says “You Shall not Steal” (Exodus 20 vs 15, Leviticus 19 vs 11, Deuteronomy 5 vs 19). There are all sorts of cheats today in the business circles. Some distort the scales and manipulate the units of measurements to rip off unsuspecting customers. Some others adulterate products, some counterfeit products and sell these to unsuspecting customers, all in a bid to make more money and get rich. Some are into all forms of illegal businesses, selling hard drugs, smuggling contraband goods, human trafficking and so many other unrighteous businesses. Some make a business of selling their bodies for sex; prostitutes and harlots. They do all these in secret thinking nobody sees them but forgetting they cannot hide from God and He will punish them for all their wickedness (Psalm 9 vs 16-17, 2 Thessalonians 1 vs 9). Some produce and sell alcoholic drinks; Beers, wines and gins, and cigarettes that many get addicted to and have to suffer liver damages, cancers and so many diseases as a result of consuming these goods.

Are you into any of these practices, repent right now, quit doing these evils and run to God for mercy. Listen to Jesus Christ’s words, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses” ( Luke 12 vs 15). Come out from any of these evil ways of making money, surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and be born again. God shall teach you by Himself how to make an enduring wealth (Isaiah 48 vs 17, Deuteronomy 8 vs 18), and be filled with His joy and peace.

There is so much blessedness in believing God and letting Him give us all we need in life (Matthew 6 vs 33). When you let God direct your activities in this world, when you submit to His authority, when you live by His instructions and commandments, honoring Him in all you do at your job and business, you will get to experience true prosperity. When we trust in God’s help and hold unto our integrity, God will certainly bless us and give us an enduring wealth, that which will not develop wings and fly away (Proverbs 23 vs 5). God will give you the spirit of contentment and you shall no more be covetous (1 Timothy 6 vs 6).

Are you ready to take that step of committing your life to God and to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ from today, please pray to God now and confess your sins; that of pursuing riches instead of following Him, ask for His forgiveness and invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Saviour from this moment, make a commitment to serve Him all your life, and you shall have His salvation in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Please beware of Covetousness! Beware of the vain pursuit of riches!

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