God, gold and guns.
I was recently listening to a radio talk show, and the topic of the show was the bad economy, and how many experts are predicting it to get much worse. As Christians we know, that in the end times there is going to be chaos, as the world’s political and economic systems begin to break down, to make way for a one world government. The host of the show was explaining how people should be trusting in God, but also collecting gold and guns, in the event there is a breakdown of any kind in the fabric of society. I agree that as Christians we should trust in God at all times. But what about gold and guns, does it make sense to trust in these things, as times become more and more troubling? Jesus addresses this subject to his disciples in Luke,
Luke 11, 21-22
“21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”
Notice in verse 22 the phrase, ” wherein he trusted “. No matter what any of us do outside of trusting in God for our protection, a stronger can come along and take it from us. This is the folly of thinking it is OK to protect ourselves, or our families, with guns, or for that matter trusting in the police, or government, for our protection. This is what happened to many families in Louisiana after hurricane Katrina. God wants us in hard times to give, and not hoard. He wants us to trust in him. As Christians, many times we must do the opposite of what would seem the natural thing to do. As times grow increasingly harder, we must grow increasingly more generous and giving. Jesus is concerned about our eternity, not about our bank accounts or wallets. Sometimes we think we have been blessed financially, because we have obeyed God and he in turn has blessed us. Remember what Jesus said to the rich ruler ? When he asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus began quoting the ten commandments. This is what people prior to Jesus sacrifice thought they must do, keep the ten commandments. This man in his self righteousness told Jesus he had kept them from his youth. Jesus then said,
Luke 18:22
“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”
This man was rich, and Jesus told him to sell all he had and distribute it to the poor and follow him. Jesus is not interested in the riches we have on earth, he is interested in the riches we store up for ourselves in heaven. Ezekiel wrote looking ahead to the end times,
Ezekiel 7:19
“They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.”
Trusting in gold or silver is a stumbling block, because it takes our focus away from trusting in God.
Saved By Faith In Christ 