Temptation and distractions are issues common to all who pursue a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Barbara Shoeneberger, a director of Amazing Grays Ministry, presents a series about sin on her blog, Suffering with Joy.  Following this brief excerpt is a link to the full post. It is exceeding well written and shares a message relevant to every Christian.

In ascetical theology the world does not refer to grass, trees, mountains, hills, etc. as I thought in my childlike simplicity long ago. The world is the realm of Satan in time, a realm with standards radically opposed to God’s way of seeing.  It presents itself as an end in itself, whereas it can only ever be an obstacle to the eternal end God has intended for us.

Money, power, and pleasure constitute the realm of the world.  None of these things are evil in themselves, but when sought only for themselves they distract us from battle. The enticements suck us deeper and deeper into obsession until we become so entangled in their pursuit we can’t recognize the needs of our neighbor nor the presence of God in our lives, calling us to Himself.

Use this link to read the full article, Source of Temptation: The World

About Barb -

Barb and Roger

Since the late 1980s Barb has written, edited, and published monthly newsletters for select groups. She also authored two business related books. In addition to writing, Barb’s interests lie in the traditional sacred liturgy and practices of the Catholic Church and in creating beautiful art from photographs she and her husband have taken.

To read more about Barb, visit our Directors Page.

Question: A great book to read is “Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way” by Dr. C. T. Anderson. Has anyone read it yet?

One member replied,

“Its what God actually promised in His word: remember God for its He that gives you power to obtain wealth. Deut 8:18, although I’ve not yet read the book.”

The next reply was from a professional Christian who supported the book’s concept. I have not read the book nor do I intend to. This post has nothing to do, one way or another, with Dr. Anderson’s book. Recognizing that I might receive a bunch of negative replies, I decided to enter the conversation anyway.

Here’s my contribution to the discussion:

The promise of wealth to everyone faithful is false-teaching. The body of Christ is composed of many members, some glorious and some not. Each of us has some parts of our body that are beautiful and some parts that are not. Some will have wealth, some health, and some not.

The pursuit of wealth itself is mentioned in the New Testament in purely negative terms. How did such pursuit ever morph into a Christian topic in the first place? Christianity is about relationship not net worth.

The message of Deuteronomy 8:18 follows, and applies to, the one sentence that precedes it in verses 11-17. The message is not that God promises wealth. The message is cautionary lest one think he or she has any abilities other than those given by God.

This verse is closer to being a warning against natural human conceit than any promise of wealth. And we see that warning ignored in the behavior and doctrinal error of many today, both Christian and not.

God alone gives power and whatever else He see fit to give

¹¹ “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, ¹² lest— ¹⁷ you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

¹⁸ “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

The message from Deuteronomy is one of power – God’s power not our own. God promised Abraham and his descendants land, progeny, and means. Obviously there were funds necessary to build the Temple and maintain the Israelites. When resources were low God provided manna as noted in verse 16. Certainly God made provision to fulfill His covenant. And what God gives He can also take away.

God does provide. But what is wealth to one is rubble to another. For most people, wealth cannot be measured by dollars and cents. All you can take with you is the fruit of relationship with Jesus Christ.

Is wealth a blessing or a temptation?

The first response given in the forum rightly said that God gives power to obtain wealth. The pursuit of money and the pursuit of sexual pleasure are the two greatest temptations that have plagued both men and women since the gate to Eden slammed behind Adam and Eve. A better blessing might be the God-given power to resist the temptation to amass wealth for the sake of wealth alone.