GIMME DAT!

Yup...I know...this song is TIIIGHT! Done by Ambassador (initially of Cross Movement. He is on XIST music now), produced by Cross Movement Records, enjoyed by myself and now you. Try not to kill the replay button OK?


The song did bring up a few thoughts that I have had for the past few months. To try and sum them all up in a phrase: seeking Gods hand, instead of seeking His face.


Let me expound. The prosperity doctrine, although initially extremely educative and faith inspiring (you cannot minister to the poor of you are poor yourself), seems to have devolved into the "gimme dat" syndrome. The focus thereof moved from seeking God first (as in Matthew 6:33) to “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” (Luke 12:19). Is it any wonder that God called such a man a fool (Luke 12:20), not because of his wealth, but because his sense of security and measure of accomplishment were hinged on what he had in his storehouse. 


Have I fallen prey to the same? The rich young man in Luke 18:18 - 23 confidently told the Lord that he had kept all of Moses' commandments from his youth. For all intents and purposes, judging by the law of Moses, he was righteous. Nothing could be brought against him concerning his conduct, his speech, or his actions. And yet such a simple request from Jesus totally floored him. " Sell all that you have, give the money to the poor, and follow me". Of all the things he was doing, or things he prided himself he had done, this one act he wouldn't. Or maybe he couldn't? Did he posses his wealth, or did his wealth possess him?


To put the issue in context. God does not despise riches per se. In fact, as a show of favor, He liberally bestowed incredible wealth to his servants (Abraham, David, Solomon etc etc). The issue here is, where are my priorities? Who comes first? What is my wealth meant to do? How is it meant to be used?


I found a lovely article by Liberty Baptist Church (read the entire document here) from which I will throw a few points that were most helpful to me:

The Right use of wealth
The Pharisees regarded wealth as a sure sign of God’s blessing and proof that the person was righteous and certain of entering heaven. Christ used parables to correct this wrong thinking:
a) The wise use of present opportunities: The unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13).
A righteous person will act wisely, knowing that he must give account to God of his stewardship in the future. He will not misuse his money selfishly thinking only of the present. Christ commended the unjust steward, not for his dishonesty, but for wisely using present opportunities for future gain. Christ applied this truth to our use of wealth in v.8-13. If we are not faithful in handling worldly wealth now, who will entrust us with true riches later in eternity?
b) Material possessions are temporary. The Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
Jesus teaches here that:
* Your wealth cannot save you.
* The beggar was saved because he trusted God for salvation, not because of
his poverty.
* Poverty is not necessarily a sign of God’s displeasure or punishment for sin.
* Poverty is no barrier to gaining true eternal riches.
c) The Result of selfishness and covetousness.
The Rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) parable shows that one’s use of wealth will reveal if he is righteous or unrighteous. This man, already wealthy, found his riches greatly increased by an abundant harvest. This increased wealth gave him an opportunity to show his love for God and fellow man by sharing his wealth with needy people. He refused to do this and instead stored them up for his own use. This wrong use of
wealth showed that he was unrighteous. Christ taught that we must rightly use our wealth now for other’s salvation, for earthly wealth to benefit us in the next life.