Deliverance From the Deceitfulness of Riches

Deliver Us From This Present Evil World

Next Part Deliverance To the True Riches

There is a very sober warning concerning the ownership of wealth found in the Book of Matthew. "He also that received Seed among the thorns is he that heareth the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22). Praise the LORD for His Wisdom in also providing a Promise that can handle the riches of this world. "But he that received Seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Mt 13:23). The danger of wealth isn't the wealth itself-- it's the love of it. "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" (1Timothy 6:10). To love anything, or anyone, more than God, is idolatry. "Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Scripture clearly teaches us what proper emphasis is given to heavenly versus earthly things. "But seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). The Heavenly Father is the Example for earthly fathers, even if the fathers on Earth don't give Him the credit for it. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13). For the Father in Heaven loves to "give good things to them that ask Him" (Matthew 7:11). And He does this ever so wisely, because He knows "that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt 19:23).

When professed Christians love riches and "the things that are in the world" (1John 2:15), it is because they have taken their eyes off Jesus. "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith" (Hebrews 12:2). He cannot finish the work of Faith in us, if we don't trust and obey Him. "That our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the Good Pleasure of His Goodness, and the Work of Faith with Power" (2Thessalonians 1:11). That is why we are commanded to "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the Love of the Father is not in him" (I Jn 2:15). The "cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in"(Mark 4:19) can easily sway us into forgetting God. "9 They that will be rich [or, are determined to be rich, no matter what] fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money [not the money itself] is the root of ALL evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the Faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1Timothy 6:9-10). But having wealth doesn't have to work against Faith. "17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the Living God, Who giveth us richly ALL things to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 laying up in store for themselves a Good Foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on Eternal Life" (I Tim 6:17-19).
"17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the Will of God abideth for ever"
(1John 2:15-17).
Jesus delivers us from the deceitfulness of riches when we actively trust Him for it. "Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil" (Luke 11:4). Only God can do this! "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul" (Psalm 121:7).

(Matthew 26:41) "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(1Corinthians 10:13) "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is Faithful, Who will not suffer {or, allow} you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(2Thessalonians 3:3) "But the LORD is Faithful, Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."

Therefore, the trust we place in Him, He is Worthy to receive. "Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the Will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4). There is much good that can be done in this world, if a man handles wealth wisely. A good steward is a one who understands God. "42 And the LORD said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his LORD shall make ruler over His Household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his LORD when He cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a Truth I say unto you, that He will make him ruler over all that He hath" (Luke 12:42-44).
"Because thou hast kept the Word of My Patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour of Temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth"
(Revelation 3:10).