ECCLESIASTES 10:19; "A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things."
Does this really mean what it looks like it says? Does money really answer ALL things? In the Western hemisphere of the world we tend to believe that everything in the world revolves around our western thinking and language. However, the Bible is an eastern book written from an eastern mindset which is why just understanding the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek languages of which the Bible was written in isn't enough to give us a clear understanding. I laugh to myself in disappointment at those who take Hebrew names and learn how to quote the words and think that makes them more godly or spiritual, and many of them cuss like a drunk and slander others relentlessly but don't see that as being ungodly. You must understand the thought process and ideals behind what is written to truly understand the text and not take it out of context.
In Ecclesiastes 10:19, the author is King Solomon who is writing his final treatise at the end of his life concerning the many things he has learned, and he is making a reference to "bribery". It has nothing to do with giving an offering and can't actually be applied to that situation though it is most often used that way. Let's examine it again in proper context.
"A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry..." Having a party is meant to be an occasion of celebration and serving alcohol often increases folks good feelings at such an occasion. The wine lowers one's inhibitions and discernment so they can be more easily persuaded.
"...but money answereth all things." The feast mentioned above goes hand in hand with the request of a special favor which was often further secured by a financial gift. They invite you to a party (feast), get you all liquored up (wine), and then give you the bribe (money) to help secure their request (answer).
This practice was widely known in eastern culture, and it was a bribe not a blessing. Are we being taught to try and bribe God into blessing us now with our monetary "seed"? This is what the prosperity pimps and those who believe their error to be truth are teaching in congregations all over the world. Money is the answer to the wicked and ungodly because their entire world consist of the things money can buy. If money was the answer to all things then every evil rich person such as drug kingpins, crime bosses, crooked politicians, and others would have all the answers because they have most of the money. Christ made it very plain concerning the difficulties that the financially rich would face in terms of their ability to receive the salvation of YAH (GOD).
MARK 10:25; "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Why is it so hard for the rich? It is hard for most of them because the comfort and security that one's financial status brings can often compromise their ability to walk by faith without regard for material things. Rich people have a tendency to put their trust in what they have over the LORD, and judge their spirituality based on their possessions. In the economy of the Kingdom of God financial prosperity is the lowest form of prosperity there is because it is solely based on temporary material gain which is something that the world has in abundance, and is not an indication of a blessing or favor from God. People get rich by many evil and ungodly means that has nothing to do with the LORD. Money itself is not "the root of all evil", but loving money is.
MARK 10:25; "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
Why is it so hard for the rich? It is hard for most of them because the comfort and security that one's financial status brings can often compromise their ability to walk by faith without regard for material things. Rich people have a tendency to put their trust in what they have over the LORD, and judge their spirituality based on their possessions. In the economy of the Kingdom of God financial prosperity is the lowest form of prosperity there is because it is solely based on temporary material gain which is something that the world has in abundance, and is not an indication of a blessing or favor from God. People get rich by many evil and ungodly means that has nothing to do with the LORD. Money itself is not "the root of all evil", but loving money is.
1st TIMOTHY 6:9-10; "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."
The scriptures make it very clear that being financially rich doesn't equate to true happiness nor the joy of salvation. In fact it warns of foolish and hurtful lusts that can destroy us and bring many sorrows by way of misplaced priorities and wrong affection in the pursuit of material riches. In our current day we have produced a group of people in our churches by way of the "prosperity doctrine" also known as "word of faith teaching", who give for the sole purpose of getting materially and not for the joy of giving according to the scriptures.
2nd CORINTHIANS 9:7; "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Material prosperity is not a sin but it is not to be the focus of our salvation. It is a sin when preachers mislead people into believing it is somehow connected to salvation by showing off or boasting about their vain possessions, and using God as an excuse to do it. The Holy Scriptures say in MATTHEW 6:33; "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." If you read verses 28-32 before that you will see that Yeshua is talking about your daily needs not material riches. It's okay to testify, not to signify. Riches may come but they depart at death and can't buy your soul. If your hope is in this life then you'll never experience the joy of eternal life. Focus on Christ and don't be deceived. Life in the Spirit of Christ does not consist of money or material things.
2nd CORINTHIANS 9:7; "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Material prosperity is not a sin but it is not to be the focus of our salvation. It is a sin when preachers mislead people into believing it is somehow connected to salvation by showing off or boasting about their vain possessions, and using God as an excuse to do it. The Holy Scriptures say in MATTHEW 6:33; "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." If you read verses 28-32 before that you will see that Yeshua is talking about your daily needs not material riches. It's okay to testify, not to signify. Riches may come but they depart at death and can't buy your soul. If your hope is in this life then you'll never experience the joy of eternal life. Focus on Christ and don't be deceived. Life in the Spirit of Christ does not consist of money or material things.
ROMANS 14:17; "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
The apostles made it clear as to the dangers of trusting in uncertain riches or looking to them for one's salvation. 1st TIMOTHY 6:17-19; "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." If we can't handle material riches with the right spirit then God will not trust us with His "true riches".
LUKE 16:11; "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
When we brag on ourselves, our stuff, or who we know to show our importance then we cannot expect the LORD to give us real power just so we can brag even more on ourselves, and not glorify Him. "Faithfulness" is measured by much more than how you do business, but how you glorify the GOD who blesses your business. Again, material riches are the lowest form of prosperity there is in the Kingdom of God because the world has more than you can ever acquire and it doesn't stand out from anything they already have. If Yeshua can only trust you with money and material things it doesn't mean that he trust you as much as you may believe, because you can't buy the things of the Spirit by "sowing seeds" of money.
LUKE 16:11; "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
When we brag on ourselves, our stuff, or who we know to show our importance then we cannot expect the LORD to give us real power just so we can brag even more on ourselves, and not glorify Him. "Faithfulness" is measured by much more than how you do business, but how you glorify the GOD who blesses your business. Again, material riches are the lowest form of prosperity there is in the Kingdom of God because the world has more than you can ever acquire and it doesn't stand out from anything they already have. If Yeshua can only trust you with money and material things it doesn't mean that he trust you as much as you may believe, because you can't buy the things of the Spirit by "sowing seeds" of money.
ACTS 8:20; "But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."
Without question money does meet many of our material needs. We need financial prosperity to do business in the natural realm, and it helps us build the Kingdom of God on the earth in terms of securing the necessary material things ministry requires. The purpose of financial prosperity is to establish the covenant of God in the earth first and foremost by being a blessing to all through the gospel of Yeshua the Messiah, and not solely for one's personal pleasure.
DEUTERONOMY 8:18; "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." The Lord grants us the power to get wealth but he doesn't just rain wealth on us. We benefit from it but are not to put our trust in it over the Word of God. Money will buy you food but it won't make the animals or the produce that become our food. Money will buy medical care and medicine but it can't heal your body. Money can pay for a wedding and a nice honeymoon but it can't buy love and faithfulness. Money can be given in a church but it can't buy your way into heaven. It is of greater concern to Yeshua the Messiah that we prosper spiritually in our souls before we prosper materially in our finances and possessions.
3rd JOHN 1:2; "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." If the Lord blesses you financially, be a blessing and first help build the Kingdom of God. In doing so you will be making an investment for someone else and laying up eternal treasures for yourself in heaven. Money does not answer all things; only the Lord GOD does that. ~ I.J. West
DEUTERONOMY 8:18; "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." The Lord grants us the power to get wealth but he doesn't just rain wealth on us. We benefit from it but are not to put our trust in it over the Word of God. Money will buy you food but it won't make the animals or the produce that become our food. Money will buy medical care and medicine but it can't heal your body. Money can pay for a wedding and a nice honeymoon but it can't buy love and faithfulness. Money can be given in a church but it can't buy your way into heaven. It is of greater concern to Yeshua the Messiah that we prosper spiritually in our souls before we prosper materially in our finances and possessions.
3rd JOHN 1:2; "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." If the Lord blesses you financially, be a blessing and first help build the Kingdom of God. In doing so you will be making an investment for someone else and laying up eternal treasures for yourself in heaven. Money does not answer all things; only the Lord GOD does that. ~ I.J. West
MATTHEW 6:19-21; "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
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