Heralds Digest

  “ If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. ” 1 Timothy 6 : 3 - 5 KJV For those who do not subscribe to wholesome words, it is readily easier to relate with the dynamic of their submission to wandering words. In today’s world of artificial intelligence, social media connectivity, and sophisticated music and entertainment, the lives of professing believers are easily taught otherwise, rather than by the wholesome words in different decisions regarding cultures, residence, careers, relationships, etc. Unfortunately, the higher the human exposure to wealth, opportunities and privileges, the more diffi...

  “ 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. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness .” I Timothy 6 : 10 - 11 NKJV Obviously, money is not the root of all evil; but the love of money or the control of money. The slip from the use of money to the use by money is always invisibly thin; just as the slip from godliness to greediness: “ …for which some have strayed from the faith [godliness] in their greediness”. Unfortunately, our homes, societies, institutions and assemblies are nowadays filled with “ O man of materials ”, who are more concerned by the metrics of figures, favours, and fortunes; rather than “ O man of God” , who are passionately burning for the presence of God. While greediness is the pursuit of goods, godliness is the passionate pursuit of God through righteousness, fai...

  “ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. ” I Timothy 6 : 17 NKJV While there is no controversy with the affluence that surrounds the pursuit of material gains in the world, including the pursuit of pursue , position, and power, these gains suck out life when they start breathing. Living materials and affluence are no longer servants on service, but masters on mission. And whenever the heart of man becomes haughty and intoxicated with pride, he is no longer in control of his abusive use of privileges, power, and position. Whereas, great gain is strictly the pursuit of the living God, irrespective of the status of exposure to material gains. As long as the living God continues to influence believers’ basic decisions or relationships, and inspires their devotions to the service of the Lord, material gains are completely suffocated and unable to breathe. Obvi...