And that which fell among thorns, are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choke with cares, and riches and pleasure of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:14 – 15).
Jesus Christ had no place to rest his head. A certain man said unto Jesus, LORD, I will follow thee wheresoever thou go. Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay his head (Luke 9:57 – 58).
Yet I say to all of you, who is like unto our God? Who is like Christ, the Son of God? He had no place to call home here on earth but was that the measure of the man, the Son of God, the Savior? Was that the measure of the God of hope? Was that the measure of righteousness and the prosperity of his soul? The measure of virtue is not by the size of a man’s bag or wallet. But it is by his heart. Let no one tell you otherwise. If you be in Christ and he in you, though you may be considered poor in this world, your are rich. For you are not of this kingdom but of the kingdom of Christ and God. The measure of virtue is in the qualities of our righteous God. The hand of God is upon me and I must bring forth this message. We have to take a look at both sides of the coin. The deciples of Christ went out to do his will. And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money, neither have two coats apiece (Luke 9:3). What they lacked with the riches of this world they were rich in Christ. Praise God! The Spirit of the living God was upon them. The Spirit of the living God was all around them. Is that not enough? How more richer can they be?
Think not of tomorrow ; for tomorrow has enough evil on its own. Matthew 6:25 – 34 gives us the wisdom of Christ, the wisdom of God. “Take no thought of your life what you shall eat or what you shall drink… Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet the heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they (Matthew 6:25 – 34)? These are the words of Christ our God – – are they not better than man’s? Are they not better than the errors of this world? If we are Christ’s then let us stand on his wisdom. Measure a man by his heart and not by his garments. If his heart is pure will he not also be rich? For the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:8). I say to all that are Christ’s, hear the voice of my God. Hear it today; for this is the message of my God. This is the message of the most High God, the God of wisdom and of truth. What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? My God is in the business of winning souls. He is in the business of virtue, lovingkindness, righteousness, the redemption of man, to restore them to the image of Christ. He is in the business that will bring man into his image and likeness. The hope of this God is hopeful indeed and this world ought to know that.
The Bible tells us, ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened. Do not lose sight of righteousness and the hope of this living God. This God giveth as he so pleases. And who shall know the wisdom of God who giveth in secret? Who shall know the beautiful hand of God, lest God wants you to know it? The outside of a man is not the reflection of his inside. The outside of a man is not a reflection of the riches of God. My soul desires all that this God wants for me. I cannot run from it. This bountiful love of God was given to me. I must declare his hope. Truth must stand up in Christ, with the strength of many mountains. It will not be shaken, nor will it fall to the ground. It must rise up in glory. This truth of the living God has kept me in a place of prosperity. Let us be rich in the ways of God, but poor of this world. Let us be guarded from the lust of this world and of covetousness (Luke 12:5). We must be rich towards God. We must be rich in Christ. If riches increase do not dwell on them (Psalm 62:10). We must be careful to not be consumed with achieving wealth, such that it causes us to depart from the riches of God. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supporting that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. But they that be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lust, which drown in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some converted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. BUT THOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS AND FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE, MEEKNESS. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hath profess a good perfession before many witnesses… (1 Timothy 6:5 – 19).
What is the worth of our souls without God? Our wealth will not redeem our souls. In Christ and only him we will live. The wise of this world think they are wiser than God. But fools have no way of knowing they are fools, lest God reveals it to them. Remember, we were once fools without Christ. But now we are wise in Christ. Let us depart from the foolishness of this world, lest a snare come upon us. The wisdom of God is very High: seek it. And let understanding be next to it. My beloved, let us be in the same accord, a doctrine of hope in our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us dwell in the riches of Christ where prosperity will not dwindle away, nor our hope becomes hopeless. And depart from all others, a bondage unto destruction, and eternal damnation. May God be with you, and may his truth rest upon your hearts.
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