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of Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions received by Thomas S. Gibson.
- March 18, 2006. An article written
by Thomas S. Gibson.
- The Prophetic
Word, 1125 - 6 Ave, Wainwright, Alberta T9W 1G2 Canada.
Perversion of God's Blessings
The Truth About the Hundred Fold
Return and Other Money Issues
There are those who strongly support the
hundred fold return, which according to them, refers to receiving 100 times
more of everything they give. Is this really in Scripture?
Jesus did indeed talk of the hundred fold
return. But the passage is not exactly as stated by some. Rather
than flaunt money and riches to His disciples, as many preacher's seem
to do today, He warned severely of the consequences of having
much money. This warning was so strong that His disciples wondered
who could be saved.
16
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good
thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none
good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life,
keep the commandments.
18
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do not murder,
Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
shalt not bear false witness,
19
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself.
20
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept
from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell
that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:
for he had great possessions.
23
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich
man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25
When his disciples heard it they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who
then can be saved?
26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible. Matthew
19:16-26
Before Jesus got around to mentioning the
hundred fold return, He made a strong point of the seduction and deception
of riches. He said "if you will be perfect;" and is not this what
the world, and indeed, christians seek? To be perfect? How
hard it is to be rich in this life and also to serve
Jesus!
If this young man did as Jesus stated then
he would have built up treasure in heaven. Note that
it specifically says "treasure in heaven," not treasure on earth!
Giving on this earth to the poor and to the kingdom
of God will give us much in heaven. It is not so we can be rich
in this life!
27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken
all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed
me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of
his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel.
29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or
sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my
name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall
inherit everlasting life.
30
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Matthew 19:27-30
In these verses which teach the hundred fold
return it is important to note that Jesus is answering a question of Peter
of what they will have because "we have forsaken all." This passage is
interpreted by many to be about giving money, but it is clearly about forsaking
all.
The disciples gave up all things.
They left their houses and families. They traveled on the road without
knowing where their next meal would come from. It was totally
on faith and the provisions of Jesus' miracles.
As an example of forsaking all: if you
had three houses and gave one up, it is not forsaking all, you still have
two houses. If you gave away two, you are still not forsaking all;
you still have one to live in. It is when you have given up all
that you have forsaken all. This passage is not speaking about
giving money, but about giving up everything for Jesus' sake.
The disciples all had jobs or businesses
before they left to follow Jesus. So they did not just
give some money to Jesus work, they gave up all sources of their money!
They will be blessed a hundredfold.
Look at verse 28. Jesus states that
this occurs "in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne
of his glory." So while we may receive many blessings on
this earth because of Jesus' love for us, we will not
fully receive this hundred fold until after Jesus return!
With this understanding verse 30 makes
more sense. Those that have given up many things for Christ's
sake will be last on this earth, but first in
heaven!
Now let's look at another verse dealing
with money issues:
3
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;
4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions
and strifes or words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute
of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw
thyself.
6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain
we can carry nothing out.
8
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,
and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
men in destruction and perdition.
10
For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows.
11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
I Timothy 6:3-11
Now this lays it on the line! Gain
in this world is not godliness! So much for the prosperity
"gospel," as I call it. Godliness, according to verse 6 is
contentment with what you have. Those that seek riches will drown
themselves in destruction! Gain with God is being content
with food and clothing, and your basic needs.
I wonder what those who have sought after money are going to say when they
stand before the judgment seat. They have erred from the faith!
They now have many sorrows!
Riches are a trap!
Hoarding of material things is totally of this world
and has nothing to do with God and holiness!
God's blessings cannot be reduced to the money system of man.
There are those who try and make the Word of God into some kind of money
machine. But this is not so!
We are to follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.
These things are true godliness!
copyright © 2006 by Thomas S. Gibson.
The contents of this document is absolutely copyrighted against any altering!
You are encouraged print, copy, or republish this document.
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