WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT IF TWO AGREE ABOUT ANYTHING, IT WILL BE DONE FOR THEM?

  

 

Matthew 18:19 NIV says, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”

 

If you interpret this verse literally as two Christians agreeing about anything, it does not prove true. I believe that the entire Bible is perfect. If this verse could be taken as any two Christians agreeing about something that the outcome would be guaranteed and it worked, then we would all be rich. If you think otherwise you have forgotten our basic nature.

 

Picture two people agreeing that each should be driving an expensive car. We want the best for our brothers, don’t we? I could do without the car but my brother loves me and he wants me to have it! I think you can see that it wouldn’t be too hard to twist the meaning of the verse to our worldly advantage.

 

It wouldn’t be any stretch of imagination to picture two individuals realizing that on this earth it takes money to spread the word: because it does. When you factor in human nature it would only be logical that if they prayed for money and Matthew 18:19 was correct then God would pour out that money.

 

I believe that this logic is so close to correct it confuses many. There are preachers that preach this very idea. The problem is that it leaves out the Spirit of God. The Bible states, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty”. (Money is power) Instead of asking God for money to spread the Word I think it would be better to ask that He give us what ever it takes and leave it up to Him to supply it. It will take money sometimes, but other times it might take something other than money. The Church might need a more enthusiastic leader, or a gift of land, or something that is not apparent at all.

 

I wonder if anyone else has realized that because the Spirit of God lives in us we are always two! If you are in the wilderness, or in a crowd, you are never alone. Now if you can convince the Spirit of God that you need an expensive car then you will have it.

 

There might be some situations where such a car would be necessary, or for some other reason that God would give one to a person, so don’t judge it wrong if you see your brother driving one. I am only using a car as an example; it could be any item of luxury. Don’t take me wrong. If God grants you wealth then enjoy it. When I consider 1 Sam 2:7 I think it would be an insult to God not to.

 

I would write some more on the subject, but I need the time to convince my Spirit that I really need a new Ferrari. Will somebody agree with me? (I’d settle for a Vet)

 

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS CLOTHING?

When I go to church now it seems as if no one thinks that they should wear dress clothing. I have heard it said that God knows what any individual looks like and therefore dress clothes are not important and I use to ascribe to the same beliefs.

In one of his sermons a wise teacher once said that if the President of the United States were to visit and you were invited to the meeting wouldn’t you wear your best clothing out of respect to the man and the office? And of course I would. Then he said that the King of Kings is here, in the Sanctuary, and this meeting is to honor Him! Who deserves more respect, the King of Kings or the President of the United States?

I have not attended Church after that message without a suit and tie.

I don’t wear a suit for any other reason than to show God and others that I respect Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.

When I attended Church I use to rejoice as I saw those who were not wearing their best clothing, because I knew that they were new to the faith and did not yet understand, but anymore I do not. The leaders of the Church do not understand the symbolism of clothing and because of that they do not teach the importance of it.

I have heard a pretty good preacher say that God saw him in the shower when he was getting ready for Church so clothing was not important. Well, God knows everything so yes God knows what we look like in the nude, but our sins are covered and this covering keeps God from seeing our sin. Even in the shower we are clothed and our sins are covered.

The first thing that God did for Adam and Eve after they sinned was to make clothing for them. We are clothed with Christ and therefore clothing is very important, but who will know and understand, if it is not taught? Even the teachers of the Church do not understand. Maybe because they have not been taught as I have, but then they have not studied it either. Who can teach that clothing is important after teaching that it is not?

If you are one that believes God knows what you look like and therefore clothing is not important ask yourself, “Would I go to Church dressed the same as when I step out of the shower” and of course the answer would be “No”. Why? Because there are other people there. The truth is we dress for others. I wear a suit and tie so that others can see that I respect my Heavenly Father.

I understand that the Church has bought into the idea that if we do not teach what anyone wears to Worship that the unbeliever will be more comfortable: just as it no longer teaches about Hell. At some point Church becomes no more than a social club, where people come to hear a message that makes them feel good. Church should make one feel good, but not before they realize that they are sinners headed for Hell and are saved from that fate by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

In my opinion the Church that does not teach sin and Hell is the Church of Laodicea. How could anyone realize that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked if they are not taught it? And they are not taught it in many Churches today.

Well, I kind of got off the subject, didn’t I?

What do you think? Is clothing important or not?

IS MONEY BASICALLY EVIL?

First let me say that it is impossible to live on this earth at this time without handling money. You must pay your taxes and it takes money to pay them. I can think of no way to live honestly in this world without generating taxes in some form. If there was a way the government would quickly put an end to it.

The Bible says that if you would be perfect then sell all that you own and give the money to the poor (Mat 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:33 & 18:22). To me this raises the question “Can anyone be perfect?” I believe the Bible says only one man was ever perfect and that man is not me. Then I have to ask myself “Can I sell all that I own?” I own the clothes on my back and if I sell them I will be thrown in jail for indecent exposure. One question leads to another and the next question is, “Who will buy the clothes off my back?” But then perhaps I am going too far with the idea of “all” that I own.

I hope that you are laughing along with me.

Well, having said all of that, it doesn’t answer the original question ‘Is money evil?’

Jesus was as far from money as He was from the fish in the sea. When He was asked about paying the Temple tax He sent someone else to get the money and pay the tax. He didn’t even touch the money. When He was asked if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar or not He asked that a coin be brought as an example. I have not read anywhere in the Bible that Jesus handled money.

Judas, who was the only Apostle that was a traitor, was the one who handled the money for them and he stole from their treasury (John 12:6).

Then I have to ask myself, “How much sin is committed because the wealth that is a result can be converted to money?”

I have thought about money in the past and perhaps all of the copper thefts that are occurring now are what caused me to think about money again. Who would destroy another’s property to steal copper tubing if it could not be converted into money? The obvious answer is no one and the same can be said of most thefts.

I know that some will say that much good is financed with money and I would not disagree with the statement, but I might add that it is necessary to offset the evil that is done with and because of money. In other words the poor are poor because someone is stealing, or did steal from them and most of this would not happen if there was no way to convert it into other forms of wealth.

If Satan has a tool that effects everyone that lives, has lived, or will live, it is money.

Could money be that which is symbolized in chapter 18 of Revelation? At first it seems that a country is being spoken of, but it can not be a country because it is said that “all” of the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. When I read chapter 18 and consider that the thing spoken of is money it all seems to make sense. One has to keep in mind that what ever Babylon the Great is, it is symbolic of something other than one nation or country.

In closing I have to say that money is the god of this country. Money is not like gods of wood or stone, it actually can do many things, though not by itself, but as men use it. The citizens of all countries rely on money to give pleasure and to solve “all” of their problems. Isn’t it ironic that the god that this country trusts has it written right on the god that it trust?!!!

What do you think? Is money basically evil, or not?