Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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From a sermon on “Money Matters” by Pastor John in a prayer meeting on January 2, 1991
The Word of God is powerful. It is so powerful that it can divide the soul from the spirit (Heb. 4:12). In the beginning, God spoke, and His Word created this universe and everything that is in it.
But isn’t it remarkable that within us, that powerful Word of God can be choked and become unfruitful when “desire for other things”, and “the deceitfulness of riches”, and the “cares and riches and pleasures of this life” enter our hearts (Mt. 13:22; Mk. 4:19; Lk. 8:14)? It is difficult to imagine anything so powerful as to “choke the Word of God”, but Jesus said that the pursuit of earthly wealth and pleasure can do it.
Avoid those things that choke the Word. Live a simple life. The whole world is after pleasure for the body and entertainment for the mind, not after peace and security for the soul. God’s children who begin to pursue possessions and earthly status are compelled to strive continually for more money, but they never will have enough. On the other hand, those who are satisfied with godliness will be saved in the end because the Word of God that dwells in their hearts is not choked and made fruitless by worry over debts.