November 12, 2002 (52)
THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA. (continued).
THOU SAYEST. I am rich. Is that a good thing? To the church of Laodicea it had become a hindrance and a stumbling block, as we shall see. The first thing that must be considered is our attitude toward riches or money. If the obtaining of riches is the desire and drive of the heart then it has become sin and is in control. Here is a sure word of prophecy and a < thus sayeth the Lord > which is as potent and true as any spoken in the general assembly. This is the voice of the Lord; < They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition > 1 Tim. 6:9 A stern warning from the Word of the Lord which we cannot ignore. A love for money is the root of all evil. Money in itself is not the problem. It is a love, a strong lust and desire to obtain it, regardless of the means, which becomes the dilemma. This was a situation which was found in the early church for some had already lost their faith and were experiencing the pain and sorrows that accompany riches, especially when ill gained. 1 Tim. 6:10 One would think, that men of faith, would not need to appeal constantly for funds with which to run their organizations. Is not faith enough? Will faith not work to supply all of our needs?
I HAVE NEED OF NOTHING. There is something about a statement such as this that seems to exclude the Lord. A warning of the Lord to Israel is just as legitimate for us today. The Lord saw them in their <plenty > and warned them lest their heart be filled with self-sufficiency and they forget the Lord. Deut 8:14 Lest they come to a bragging point and say; < My power, my strength, my hands have produced this wealth for me > Deut. 8:17 and they forget that it all comes from the blessing of the Lord. Deut. 8:18-19 There is a certain judgment when the Lord is forgotten and forsaken. Watch and pray.
UNKNOWINGLY. What a pathetic condition, not being able to rightly evaluate our own spiritual condition. Interesting that the Spirit mentioned five human emotions and conditions which all would avoid if at all possible. Wretched, unhappy, distressed, dejected and forlorn. Miserable, uncomfortable, distressed and uneasy. Poor, when are the rich poor? Riches do not buy peace of heart and mind. Money does not purchase satisfaction. Blind, eyes closed to spiritual things and focused on the beggarly elements of this world. The lust of the eye is never satisfied, regardless of its possessions. Naked, exposed, others seeing what the rich cannot see because of the blindness of their eyes to spiritual things. The church has gone from the store front to palatial church structures. It is adequate evidence that we have come to the status of the Laodicean church and will know its problems and blessings, for the Lord always has a way for correction and betterment for His people