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Those who desire to be rich – Part 1

By Israel Kristilere
22 December 2019   |   3:56 am
About 21 years ago, a senior colleague in the ministry who loved me, informed me of a money spinning adventure in which he had invested and wanted me to benefit from it as well.

Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
Introduction

About 21 years ago, a senior colleague in the ministry who loved me, informed me of a money spinning adventure in which he had invested and wanted me to benefit from it as well. I promised to visit him to have proper understanding of how it runs before I could put my little money into it. I did and we spent about two hours discussing the process and the produce of the investment. With a senior minister like him fully involved, I felt I was on the right course of becoming rich quickly.

As I was returning to my pastorium in Ilupeju, 1 Timothy Chapter 6 verse 9, “those who want to be rich shall fall into diverse temptations…..”) where the topic of this message was taken began to resonate in my ears and heart like never before. I, then concluded that God was speaking to me and I must obey. I decided I would not put my money into that venture. Few weeks after, he wanted to know my decision and when I said I am not led to go into it, he advised me to talk with other friends of mine who had joined after our discussion and hear how they have started making money. To me, God has spoken and I must obey. Six months later, the investment scheme crashed and they all lost their money while those who borrowed to invest went into debt.

Today, I see so many adverts on social media inviting people to invest into schemes that can only be described magical and mysterious. I believe most of you reading this are familiar with products like MMM, Rich Connect Investment Platform/Social Insurance Investment Platform and host of others claiming to be able to double your investments in a day of even in minutes. It is N25, 000 to get N50,000, N30,000 to get N60,000, N100,000 to get N200,000; N200,000 to get N400,000, N300, 000 to get N600, 000, etc. Some of them will even claim that they are registered with government and declare they are, ‘No cheat, No scam, No excuses and your money is safe.’ They come in various designs depending on how they plan to capture the desire/cravings of people. Sometimes, it is even a phone call that the winner of this line had won $1,000 and you should claim it by offering some information concerning yourself.

Unfortunately, many people including Christians and even respected pastors have fallen into this snare. I have no doubt, some of you reading this have also been involved one way or the other. May God save you. Amen.

• Biblical Response To The Crave For Money- 1 Tim. 6:9-10.
Let us notice in the first place that the emphasis of this text (verse 9) is not on “they that will be rich” (KJV) because riches are ordained of God and when rightly held and rightly used can be an instrument of most beneficent power to the gospel and decent living. The word “will” in the phrase “will be rich,” (KJV) is not the sign of the future tense, but implies an actual “purpose” or “design” to become rich. The reference is to those in whom this becomes the object of earnest desire, and who lay their plans for it, crave for it and desire it at all cost. (NKJV/NIV). Whoever such a man or woman is, be it a Muslim or a Christian, an ordinary Church member or a Deacon or even a Bishop, the Bible says shall fall into many temptations.

Rev. (Dr.) Israel Kristilere, Shepherdhill Baptist Church, (Sanctuary of Grace & Glory), Baptist Academy Compound, Obanikoro, Lagos. 08033052590.
Whatsapp:2348033052590.
Email:revkristilere@yahoo.com
 


 

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