Now is the Time!
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV)
Love of Money
People say that love makes the world go around, and that is true if love is defined as the love of money. Interestingly, the Bible has a lot to say about money. It says we are to use it wisely and not abuse it. We are to share it with the poor, with widows, with those who preach the Gospel. We should not hoard it.
Profit is one of the words associated with money that seems to be a prominent theme in the Bible. In Ecclesiastes 2, the preacher has tried about everything there is to try in life that is supposed to bring pleasure. But he ends up saying, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done, And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was NO PROFIT under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11 NKJV)
The Lord reminds us that a person is worth more than all the resources available in the world. He says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 NKJV)
And yet profit is the goal of most people in the world today. It causes wars. It is the means of controlling people; and, thus, profit means power.
The Gun Violence
We were told on the news last night (May 24) that there had been another mass shooting in Texas. 21 victims have died so far, 19 of them elementary students. Apparently two were teachers. This morning, I have heard people with suggestions for curbing this violence. It can’t be curbed completely, since the Bible tells us and history confirms what Paul told us nearly 2000 years ago, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, LOVERS OF MONEY, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV)
Notice in the list is lovers of money. Being brutal is also mentioned. So can nothing be done? I would like to suggest that the profits be taken out of production and marketing of the kind of guns that should only be used by those trained to use them in war. Obviously, this isn’t going to happen so is there another solution? Yes there is. People need to be given a new perspective, a changed heart, a desire to be a blessing and not a curse. They need to love their neighbor instead of loving themselves. What would accomplish this? Only regeneration through the new birth when people finally come to an end of themselves and their efforts and their works and as sinners, trust Christ for salvation. John 1:12-13 says, “But as many as received Him (the Lord Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” We are not going to see mass conversions because people are saved one by one. Religion is not going to work because religious people crucified the Lord and religion is used to control people. Religion doesn’t save. Every person who comes to the Lord and trusts Him for eternity will find that he or she is changed for time as well. That won’t solve mass shootings, but it will be a start. And if a Christian gets caught in one of these terrible tragedies, at least they are ready to meet God.
We Need to Preach a Biblical Gospel
If there ever was a time to believe that the Bible is true and that trusting in the Lord of the Bible makes a difference, NOW IS THE TIME!
The gospel that needs to be preached is the Gospel of the Bible. It will not be the prosperity Gospel that is so popular today. It will not be the Gospel that is a sign-on-the-dotted-line type of gospel where the recipient joins up and is told all will be well. It will be a convicting Gospel that involves the truth about sin and hell and the lake of fire. It will be a gospel that explains what the “wrath of God” means. It will put the love of God in its proper perspective. It will be a Biblical gospel. May those of us who were saved through a Biblical gospel start preaching it. Let’s see if we can make a difference.
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of May 22, 2022