9 JUNE 2018 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunged them into ruin and destruc- tion. For the LOVE of MONEY is THE root of all kinds of evil. And some people, CRAVING for money, have WANDERED from the faith/truth and have pierced themselves with many sorrows" (1Tim 6:3-15). Could it be that there are those who are truly watering down and compromising the purity of the true gospel because of the MONEY? No question! There are the mega church pastors who give God all the glory for the Sunday morning turn out and for the abundance of wealth. Then, there are those who have a mid sized church, a comfortable, steady salary and a secure income.They are very carefull in all that they say, staying away from preaching anything con- trovercial, thus "compromising and contradicting" the truth for the sake of unity and prosperity (1 Thess 2: 3-6, Jude 3-4).Their gospel is based on worldly wealth instead of heavenly riches (James 4:4-17). Their minds are on earthly things (Phil 3:12-21). These modern day pastors may be caring and loving, preaching love, hope, prosparity and forgiveness, but they have abandoned the true gospel, selling out to the big buck. Believe it or not, they are selling out our Lord and His Word for the sake of filthy lucre. The apostle Paul teaches that true believers should withdraw them- selves and flee all of that while they eagerly wait for their Savior to come. (1Tim 6:3-15, Titus 1:5-16). What does the apostle Peter have to say about these last days money grubbers? "But there were also false prophets among the people just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying (contradicting the true message) the soverign Lord, who bought them, bringing swift destruction on them- selves. MANY will follow their shame- ful ways and will bring the way of TRUTH into disrepute (error, com- promise and contradiction). In their GREED these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruc- tion has not been sleeping (2 Pet2:1-3 NIV, Isa 9:16). Is it possible, that there are those who claim to be God's anointed mes- sangers, yet are ADDICTED to the money? Could this be a link as to why there has been so much worldly compromise within the main stream Christian church? "What ever we do, we should not talk about the signs of the times, asteroids, volcanoes, earth- quakes, and the coming of our Lord, its bad for business." In closing, Jesus teaches that the last days church of Laodicea had an addiction to the love of money, caus- ing them to be lukewarm. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold, I'm about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing (the Lords help and blessings). But you do not REALIZE, (deceived and blinded by the love of money and the world) that you are wretched, pitiful poor blind and naked"(Rev 3:1-17). The apostle Paul was not in it for the money, that's for sure. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1Tim 6:6-7). Today, many have drifted away from God's will and from the heart of true giving, and they have turned God's house into a GAMBLING CASINO. They think they are giving to the Lord but their giving is self cen- tered and not God centered. Jesus, along with Paul and Peter rebuked these money preachers because they were/are WILFULLY influencing their followers into commiting the same DELIBERATE acts of sin instead of preaching repentance (1Tim 4:1-5, Heb 10:26-27). Their gospel is based on worldly wealth instead of heavenly riches. No wonder they were/are put- ting the end time message of the soon coming of our Lord back in the stor- age closet. "When you ask, you do not receive, because you are asking with WRONG MOTIVES"(James 4:3). "For two whole years Paul stayed in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without HINDRANCE he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ"(Acts 28:31). If Paul wanted to, he could have been sailing from city to city in a million dollar cruiser to inspire the church's to give. Instead, he got his head taken off while preaching and DEFENDING the true faith. He for sure wasn't addicted to the money nor was he preaching just to take up an offering! "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the earlier days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of GIVING and RECEIVING, except you only, for even when I was in Thessaloniaca, you sent me aid again and again when I was in NEED. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account "(Phil 4:14-17, 3:14- 21). "For wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:34). Are you giving from your heart into a ministry that is taking a stand for truth? Is your pastor preaching more about worldly prosparity instead of the signs of the times and the Soon Coming of our Lord? If so, you need to find another church, unless, you are addicted to the money as well. Until next time. Jesus is coming soon! Are you going to be ready?! RICH ... from page 8