T.D. Jakes

[kenod]

So it is interesting the choice of words he uses, "existing in three manifestations". This still allows room to give Jesus less divinity than the Father in his teaching.

But does he?

If T D Jakes is indeed "oneness", then he believes in the Supreme Deity of Jesus Christ - that is, Jesus Christ is Almighty God, not just the second person of a trinity.

Is there anything about the following statement you do not like?

Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Potters House (http://www.thepottershouse.org/v2/content/view/18/32/)

Does this not mean they are Christians, and our brothers and sisters?

When you try to define the Godhead too tightly you will end up arguing over the exact meaning of words like "distinct" and "separate"; "begotten" and "proceeding" ... and even "three in one". If it is a mystery, then we need to allow some latitude in understanding.

Anyone who affirms these truths is not an apostate:
- the infallibility of the Scriptures
- the divinity of Jesus Christ
- salvation only through the blood of His cross

[Mitsy]

But does he?

If T D Jakes is indeed "oneness", then he believes in the Supreme Deity of Jesus Christ - that is, Jesus Christ is Almighty God, not just the second person of a trinity.

Is there anything about the following statement you do not like?

Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Potters House (http://www.thepottershouse.org/v2/content/view/18/32/)

Does this not mean they are Christians, and our brothers and sisters?

When you try to define the Godhead too tightly you will end up arguing over the exact meaning of words like "distinct" and "separate"; "begotten" and "proceeding" ... and even "three in one". If it is a mystery, then we need to allow some latitude in understanding.

Anyone who affirms these truths is not an apostate:
- the infallibility of the Scriptures
- the divinity of Jesus Christ
- salvation only through the blood of His cross


Kenod

First of all my post had nothing to do with who is saved & who is not. I'm not even putting forward my own belief or opinion. If you read the I start with:-

The reason why people target TD Jakes is that his roots are in Unitarianism.

And I end my post with:-
I hope this gives you some insight into why some False Teachers Websites target TD Jakes.

I have also placed a Wikepedia link that enables those who are interested in finding out what Unitarianism is about.

In the end it is everybodies choice to choose what theology they want to accept or reject. You are welcome to do your own research and make up your own mind.

Sorry if you took my comments as being offensive.

[Comfort me]

I believe the Lord used some of this man's publications to help make me whole again. He may not be perfect but T.D. loves God.

[alrdyreg]

I believe the Lord used some of this man's publications to help make me whole again. He may not be perfect but T.D. loves God.

amen!

[kenod]

Sorry if you took my comments as being offensive.

Not at all - like you, I was just expressing an opinion. I am not a member of the Potters House, nor am I Unitarian.

My understanding is that unitarians deny the divinity of Jesus Christ - I cannot see how that applies to TD Jakes.

[Christy]

Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Potters House (http://www.thepottershouse.org/v2/content/view/18/32/)

Does this not mean they are Christians, and our brothers and sisters?

The above quote from "The Potter's House" (which for some reason always makes me think of Harry Potter!) is true - I'll give TD Jakes credit there - but as with most false prophets - he mixes truth with lies - and that's what makes false prophets like him so dangerous and insiduous - especially to the undiscerning christian - the above quotation is all in order - so on that pretext one could think TD Jakes is above board and all very well - NOT! One only has to dig deeper to find out he holds to some seriously questionable doctrines.

However, the question then becomes: “Can You Be An Evangelical Christian And Deny God?” This is not designed to be an exhaustive treatise of the Word Faith Movement (WFM), but what must first be understood here is the basic belief system of the infamous aforementioned bunch – Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Paula White, Joel Osteen – all associated with the WFM
*snip"
T.D. Jakes was listed number 13 among Time’s infamous top 25 Evangelicals and billed as “The Penetecostal Media Mogul.” And while it is true that Jakes is indeed a Pentecostal all right, he is a “Oneness Pentecostal,” and part of an heretical sect which actually denies the doctrine of the Holy Trinity! Jakes himself says:

While I mix with Christians from a broad range of theological perspectives, I speak only for my personal faith and convictions. I am not a theologian, and I avoid quoting even theologians who agree with me. To defend my beliefs, I go directly to the Bible.
My views on the Godhead are from 1 John 5:7-8, "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (NKJV)
I believe in one God who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe these three have distinct and separate functions—so separate that each has individual attributes, yet are one. I do not believe in three Gods (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/108/13.0.html, emphasis added).
It's little wonder why Jakes avoids quoting “even theologians who agree with” him because those of us who study Comparative Religion will immediately recognize the modalism contained in the vague explanation of his beliefs. Space doesn't allow a thorough critique of this heretical view, but it is a doctrine which the historic orthodox Christian Church labeled “Sabellianism,” and excommunicated the man named Sabellius who taught it.

However the doctrine of the Holy Trinity states that rather than God being one Person having three “distinct and separate functions” (i.e. modes), putting it as succinctly as possible, we state as such that the correct doctrine about the one true and living God of the Bible is that:

In all the universe there is but one God; Who created that universe ex nihilo, which means “out of nothing.” Within the nature of this one God there exists three distinct co-equal and co-eternal cognizant egos, or Persons: God the Father, God the Son–Who is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and God the Holy Spirit. And these three Persons are that one God (see– Keeping You Apprised Of: The Holy Trinity).
But can you be an Evangelical Christian and deny Who God is?
[/QUOTE]http://www.apprising.org/archives/2005/10/can_you_be_an_e.html

I agree with you that these people are our brothers and sisters (I wasn't aware that this brought into question), BUT they are misled brothers and sisters, however.

[CountryBumpkin]

My question is "Why does T D Jakes not speak out what he actually believes about the Trinity? If people are falsely accusing him then why does he not refute those accusations with the truth of what he believes?"
There have been many pastors that have written letters to him - he does not answer. His word usage gives one the impression that he is a oneness berliever.

This is the view held by Oneness Pentecostals: "there is but one person who is God who acted in three separate manifestations (aka modes). In the Old Testament they say he acted as Father; in the New Testament he was the Son - Jesus, and now he is acting as Holy Spirit. Not three persons, but one person acting in three different ways or roles."

This is the belief spoken by T D Jakes: "God--There is one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, abd eternally existing in three manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
In Chistianity Today he says:
"I believe in one God who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe these three have distinct and separate functions—so separate that each has individual attributes, yet are one. I do not believe in three Gods"

IMHO he is oneness pentecostal but does not want to come out and say it because he would lose money.

[Sing4Him]

T. D. Jakes: Quotes Lighthouse Trails; OKs Yoga

Source: Lighthouse Trails

T.D. Jakes article on Washington Post addresses Yoga

The famous pastor quotes Lighthouse Trails as saying "Christian leaders are embracing practices and a new spirituality that borrows from Eastern mysticism and New Age philosophy" but Jakes says yoga is OK if intent is right.

On April 16, 2007, Lighthouse Trails Research received a phone call from a student at Harvard University who was doing research on yoga being taught in the public schools. The student told us about a Washington Post article that quoted Lighthouse Trails. We later learned that the article on the Washington Post website was written by the popular pastor T. D. Jakes.

Jakes (named the "Most Influential Christian" in 2006) is pastor of the mega-church Potter's House in Dallas, Texas. The Washington Post article titled "Know What to Try and Why" addresses the growing topic of Christians practicing yoga. Jakes quotes Lighthouse Trails as saying that certain Christian leaders are: ... embracing practices and a new spirituality that borrows from Eastern mysticism and New Age philosophy.
He lists Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Richard Foster, Tony Campolo, and Eugene Peterson as some whom we say are doing this. However, it is unsure why and ironic that Jakes has quoted Lighthouse Trails because then he turns around and condones Christians utilizing eastern practices.

Jakes quoted an article we wrote titled "Evangelical Leaders Promote New Age and Eastern Spiritual Practices" Interestingly, in his own article, Jakes rightly acknowledges Rick Warren's promotion of eastern mysticism:
In Warren's Purpose-Driven Life, he does encourage people to practice "breath prayers" by repeating words and phrases over and over in a mantra-style prayer, a practice that is similar to that found in Hindu yoga and Zen Buddhism." But Jakes seems to advocate Rick Warren's position by stating:
In many cases yoga can be viewed as a quiet place where we individually meditate on God's word and who that God is.
Jakes justifies doing this by saying:

I believe at the core of the debate is what your intentions are when one practices the exercises of yoga or when you meditate.Former New Age medium, Brian Flynn, talks about this intention of the heart in relation to mystical meditation:
How could one know that the God met in the stratosphere [meditative state] is the God of the Bible? Contemplatives have an answer for that -

Intent! As long as the intent of the heart is to find Jesus through this meditation technique or contemplative prayer, then that is what will be found. No questions asked! However, what if the intent is to find Buddha, will this method work, or is it only reserved for Christians?

Tilden Edwards, another contemplative and the founder of the pantheistic Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC, states, "What makes a particular practice Christian is not its source, but its intent." By this standard, I could use a Ouija board to communicate with Jesus. How would I know that the Jesus I am speaking to is the real Jesus? I don't. The experience is subjective. I had an experience. It was real. It was good. Therefore, it must be God. That was the same reasoning I developed when I performed psychic readings. (1)
Ray Yungen elaborates on intent:
Practitioners of this method [meditation]believe that if the sacred words are Christian, you will get Christ-it is simply a matter of intent even though the method is identical to occult and Eastern practices.

So the question we as Christians must ask ourselves is, "Why not? Why shouldn't we incorporate this mystical prayer practice into our lives?" The answer to this is actually found in Scripture. While certain instances in the Bible describe mystical experiences, I see no evidence anywhere of God sanctioning man-initiated mysticism. Legitimate mystical experiences were always initiated by God to certain individuals for certain revelations and were never based on a method for the altering of consciousness.

In Acts 11:5, Peter fell into a trance while in prayer. But it was God, not Peter, who initiated the trance and facilitated it. By definition, a mystic, on the other hand, is someone who uses rote methods in an attempt to tap into their inner divinity. Those who use these methods put themselves into a trance state outside of God's sanction or protection and thus engage in an extremely dangerous approach.

Besides, nowhere in the Bible are such mystical practices prescribed. For instance, the Lord, for the purpose of teaching people a respect for His holiness and His plans, instated certain ceremonies for His people (especially in the Old Testament). Nonetheless, Scripture contains no reference in which God promoted mystical practices. The gifts of the Spirit spoken of in the New Testament were supernatural in nature but did not fall within the confines of mysticism. God bestowed spiritual gifts without the Christian practicing a method beforehand to get God's response. (2)
T. D. Jakes is wrong when he says that as long as the intent is right, the practice doesn't matter. Unfortunately, as perhaps the most popular pastor today, Jakes will mislead countless people in the wrong direction and will further help bring a mystical, interspiritual religion to the world at large.

Frankly, we are not sure why Jakes even mentioned Lighthouse Trails. But since he did, we wanted to take this opportunity to repeat the words of our article, from which T. D. Jakes quoted:
In what appears to be a sweeping phenomenon, Christian leaders are embracing practices and a new spirituality that borrows from Eastern mysticism and New Age philosophy. The changes are taking place worldwide and involve many of the most popular evangelical leaders including Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Richard Foster, Tony Campolo, and Eugene Peterson ... oh and add to that list ... T. D. Jakes.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving [seducing] spirits and doctrines of demons. (I Timothy 4:1)

See our Research on Yoga

Also check out our Articles and News Stories on Yoga


This article or excerpt was posted on April 20, 2007@ 4:19 pm .

From: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com

[Sing4Him]

T.D. Jakes Is A Spiritual Coward


By Ken Silva

Apprising Ministries


Dr. T.D. Jakes is unquestionably Oneness Pentecostal and in the Time Magazine article “Spirit Raiser” author David Van Biema quotes Jakes unmistakably using the language of classic Oneness Pentecostalism in his description of God:



“And God said, ‘Let us. Let usssssss...’” says Jakes, and then digresses: “...One God, but manifest in...three different ways, Father in creation, Son in redemption, Holy Spirit in regeneration.” [1]



Now here’s a Time Magazine piece from February 1, 2000 entitled “My Views on the Godhead.” Note also that this article is from one year before the above where Jakes is expressing his Oneness Pentecostal view of God. And please prepare yourself here for some Graduate School level fence-straddling as Jakes omits the word Oneness while telling us below that he became “Pentecostal”:



I was raised Baptist and became Pentecostal 26 years ago... Both chapters of my early spiritual journey contributed volumes to my faith and walk with God, helping to hone my character. I was shaped by and appreciate both denominations, but am controlled by neither. [2]



Jakes Is A Modalist And A Pretender



Dr. T.D. Jakes says, “I was shaped by and appreciate both denominations, but I am controlled by neither.” Yes and my guess is he didn’t want to risk losing money from...oops, I mean offending either group so he doesn’t clearly say what he believes regarding the Holy Trinity. However, both Baptists and Pentecostals profess belief in the Holy Trinity. But Oneness Pentecostals do not. So if Jakes wasn’t Oneness Pentecostal he could give his assent to this cardinal doctrine of the historic orthodox Christian Church without offending either group.



But Dr. T.D. Jakes is Oneness Pentecostal and therefore does not believe in the one true and living Triune LORD God Almighty–God the Father; God the Son, Christ Jesus of Nazareth, and God the Holy Spirit. And if a man will not stand boldly for and clearly state what he actually believes about the God he claims to serve then he should be dismissed as a teacher of a counterfeit Christianity and as a coward pretending to serve Jesus Christ.



Jakes And Men Who Boldly Testified For God


Now let’s take T.D. Jakes back to stand next to Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate. The Governor says to them – “Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” [3] Pilate asks T.D. Jakes, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jakes replies, “I was raised a Jew and learned much from Roman culture. I was shaped by and appreciate both peoples, but I am controlled by neither.” Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. [4] The Lord that Jakes claims he serves was Someone who made His stand and the Master was crucified for it.



What about placing T.D. Jakes alongside the Apostles Peter and John in Acts 5 where they are healing many and driving out demons. Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [5] God sent an angel to release them, they defied the Jewish leaders and went right back out into the Temple courts teaching in the name of Jesus Christ again.



The captain came with his Temple guards to bring the Apostles and make them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this Name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.” [6] But T.D Jakes said, “I was grew up with Jewish laws and kept all the customs. Later I lived among Christ’s disciples and did as He taught. I was shaped by and appreciate both fine systems, but I am controlled by neither.”



But Peter and the other Apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” [7] You see Peter and the other Apostles clearly stated what they believed–even religious leaders who imprisoned and beat them – “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.” [8] For his stand Peter would himself be crucified and all the rest murdered for their own stands except John who was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.



T.D. Jakes Appears Afraid To Make A Stand For God



Or how about Dr. Martin Luther the key figure in the Protestant Reformation that T.D. Jakes might just have enough intestinal fortitude to admit to believing in. Jakes and Martin Luther are brought before Emperor Charles V and the great Roman Catholic theologian Johann Maier von Eck who demand they recant their teachings.



Luther asks for time to think it over. But T.D. Jakes mumbles:


“I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and became a bit disenchanted and so I worked some with Luther... Both of these chapters of my early spiritual journey contributed volumes to my faith and walk with God, helping to hone my character. I was shaped by and appreciate both the Roman Catholic Church and the spirit of the Reformation, but I am controlled by neither.”


But when Luther, a real man led by the one true and living Triune LORD God Almighty as clearly revealed in the Bible, is brought before the men who could condemn him to death he says:



“Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise God help me. Amen.”



No, after reading Dr. T.D. Jakes repeatedly refusing to state clearly what he actually believes about the nature of God, and all the while contrasting it with our Lord Christ Jesus and real men of God led by God the Holy Spirit–blessed third Person of the Holy Trinity–it becomes obvious to me that Jakes is no one whom the genuine Christian should even pay any attention to whatsoever when it comes to matters of the Church. Rather as I see it, T.D. Jakes is in reality but a spiritual coward.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1000836,00.html, 01/23/07.

[2] http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2000/februaryweb-only/13.0b.html, 01/23/07.

[3] See–John19:10.

[4] Matthew 27:11.

[5] Acts 5:17-18.

[6] vv. 27-28.

[7] v. 29.

[8] v. 30.



Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com

[Sing4Him]

The Problem with the Prosperity Gospel


We hear a lot of preaching these days about the Prosperity Gospel. It seems that almost everyone is jumping on that bandwagon. You may have heard your own pastor say something that led you or others to believe that just because you are going to church on Sunday mornings, or even Wednesday nights, God is going to prosper you monetarily. Or maybe you just need to pray a little harder. But we really need to take a close look at that message.



There always lies within any message having to do with worldly things a danger that people can get distracted by the worldly things and take their eyes and their minds off the Word. Joshua 1:8 tells us to meditate on the Word day and night “so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” If you are consumed by thoughts of something worldly, you probably aren’t going to be able to meditate on the Word. God told us we will be prosperous IF we meditate on the Word.



Paul warned us, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3) Doesn’t that sound like what has been happening the last few years? It appears that some of the most popular pastors are only preaching things that will not cause any of their parishioners to feel guilty, nothing which would convict them of their sins. And the Prosperity Gospel fits right in there because the Pastors are telling everyone that God wants to make them rich and happy.



Recently Bishop T.D. Jakes commented that now all the prayer requests his church is receiving are for new Cadillacs. He lamented the fact that they are not receiving requests with concern about loved ones. That is indicative of the reaction that one might expect when the focus of religious teaching is taken off of what God expects from us, or what we should be doing for others, and put on what God can do for us.

To me, much of what is said could be coming from Tony Robbins just as easily as from someone of the cloth. One thing I heard recently was that if you have not been “blessed” it’s because you are simply not in the location God wants you to be. That could be the case, the operative word being “could.” But what if you are in the place God wants you to be? What if God doesn’t want you to be “rich” because He knows that you will not use the blessings to His glory but your own? What if God knows you are more of a blessing in your current state?



One thing the cheerleading approach I’ve seen can do is equate riches to joy or happiness. Just like in a motivational seminar, you will hear preachers working their parishioners up into a frenzy as they combine the messages of riches and happiness. The problem is that some might start equating riches to happiness. Some could easily combine these messages to mean that God wants you to be happily rich, so if you aren’t rich, you aren’t happy, or you have not been blessed. But riches do not equal happiness.



Where in the Bible does it tell us that God wants us all to be monetarily wealthy? Have that many of us forgotten that Jesus told us it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven? (Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25) Jesus did not say that rich people can’t go to heaven, but that it is much more difficult. The problem is that monetary riches can cause you to replace God with money as your god. My personal belief is that once you obtain riches, your focus can shift to retaining those riches.



This isn’t a full condemnation of the Prosperity Gospel because I believe that God truly does want to prosper us. (Jeremiah 29:11) But prosperity does not mean monetary wealth, and God commanded us to keep His decrees and obey the law in order to receive prosperity. (Deuteronomy 5:32-33) Of course Deuteronomy isn’t nearly as popular as Jeremiah, but they are both in the Old Testament. Even if you are a Dispensationalist (as I am to one degree or another) you have to admit that Jeremiah’s generation probably had no more understanding of things than Moses’ generation did. The message in Jeremiah is actually a reiteration of that in Deuteronomy.



The book of Job tells us about all the riches Job owned, but first it tells us that Job was blameless and upright, and that he feared God and shunned evil. Then it tells us that Job was “the greatest man among all the people of the east.” I’m certain that is a reflection of Job’s character, not his wealth. And don’t forget that Job complained about evil people being “blessed” in his day. In chapter 10 Job said he would ask why God oppressed him while He smiled on the schemes of the wicked.



If it is possible to be both rich and upright, what is the problem with teaching about receiving wealth as a blessing from God? Nothing, unless we are creating stumbling blocks. Anything that takes or keeps your focus off God’s ways is a stumbling block to you. The Prosperity Gospel can cause you to take your eyes off God if you start to focus on money instead.



Here’s something you may not have considered. Anything you are chasing instead of God is a stumbling block to Jesus. “What!?” you say? That’s right, it’s a stumbling block to Jesus. He told us He came to divide the world, (Luke 12:51) but the division Jesus was speaking about wasn’t between the rich and the poor, it was between believers and nonbelievers, just as He said we would be divided to the right and left on the day of accounting. (Matthew 25:31-46) Jesus came to save the world (John 3:17), and we know that it’s God’s desire that all be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), so it would be Jesus’ will that all come to Him for salvation.



If you are chasing wealth, however, you are not chasing Jesus. You’re running in a different direction. If you are running away from Jesus, and Jesus is chasing after you (Matthew 18:12-14) then whatever you are chasing is a stumbling block in front of Jesus which is keeping Him from getting to you. And if you are saying to yourself right now that I’ve lost what few marbles I had left, mull over the following verse:



Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23)



Jesus told us that God will provide for all our needs, but it must be recognized that He told us to seek first the kingdom of God, THEN God would provide all our needs. (Matthew 6:33) So if you are seeking God with all your heart, your needs will be met. That means if it is God’s will that you have riches because you need them to do God’s work, He will provide you with riches. That leaves us with only our wants.



The wants are the things that can cause us to stray because when we pursue our wants (sans wanting to lead others to Jesus, of course) we quit pursuing the Lord. We need to please God, but we want to please men. We need to achieve humility, but we want to achieve success and glory. We need to pursue righteousness, but we want to pursue power or riches. If the world says something is what you need, or want, or deserve, it is probably the exact opposite of what God would want for you.



Here’s something you can try. Think of having your needs being met as a blessing from God, because we certainly don’t deserve blessings – Jesus got what we deserve at Calvary. Think of everything else as gravy. Be joyful in Christ, and thankful for having your needs met, then you’ll be thrilled with all the other blessings sent your way.



As you read the following passage, remember that Jesus told us this in reference to His second coming, meaning that these things will be happening in our current day.



“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.



“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’



“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:35-40)



Jesus told us that the poor would be with us always. (Mark 14:7) So if you believe that Jesus did not lie, you have to believe that God has no intention of making all of us rich. Think of it this way; If there was nobody in need, who would we have to serve? If there was nobody in need, to whom could we give food or clothing as an act of mercy and a display of our faith and love in Jesus? If there was no need, would anyone truly feel blessed by receiving a gift? We are blessed by God so we can be a blessing to others. If there was no need, we could not be that blessing. Why would Jesus teach us to take care of the poor if there would be no poor? He wouldn’t. Instead, He told us there would always be people in need until His second coming, and we are to work to fulfill their needs.



Remember that God will provide for our needs if we are seeking Him, and that sometimes you are the vessel through which God provides. But that also means that sometimes others will be the vessel for your blessings. There has to be someone in need in order for others to fulfill that need. How could anyone be a blessing to you if you had no need? They couldn’t. No, we will never all be monetarily rich, but that does not mean that God has forsaken us. It could mean that God chose us to be in need so that others could be a blessing to us.



If you are blessed to be a blessing to others, it also means someone in need is part of your blessings because you would not be blessed unless someone had a need. Ultimately, that means if you are in need, you are a blessing to others BECAUSE of your need. The greatest blessing we all have received is salvation. We have all been blessed beyond what we deserve. So don’t worry about what you will eat, or what you will wear, or what you will drive for that matter. Concentrate on your Christian walk, and allow God to prosper you in the best way, the way that only He knows.



Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what your have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)



Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.co