Satan, "is in a powerful position to bargain. He explains that this glorious earth is his private estate, that it all belongs to him to the ends thereof; in articular he owns the mineral rights and the media of exchange, by controlling which he enjoys the willing cooperation of the military, ecclesiastical, and political establishments, and rules with magnificent uproar. He keeps everything under tight control, though, for all the blood and horror- nobody makes any trouble in his world from the rivers to the ends thereof. Well can he ask Adam, "what is it you want?" for he claims to be the God of this World, and the Lord himself grants him the title of Prince of this World. All who are not working for him on his estate he charges with trespassing, including even heavenly messengers, whom he accuses of spying out his vast property with an eye to taking over the whole of it. But he is willing to make a deal if they have any money. To have merely sufficient for your needs, however, is not what he has in mind...this developer has a vision of unlimited sweep and power". "You can have anything in this world for money!" Work We Must but the Lunch is Free, Hugh Nibley
Surely the lust of money is not a good thing. But to what degree do we say "Lord, we are the exception to the rule, let us try having a little money, and see if we do not become lustful, prideful, and God's unto ourselves!"
Mat 19:23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, 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.
These scriptures are straightforward, and yet a great many of us try to superimpose qualifications and exceptions, when there are none to be found within the text. Nor do I think any were implied. (For those who have heard the eye of the needle represented a gate into Jerusalem, you are mistaken. If you still don't believe me, provide a reference.) I think the message is simply that it's damn hard not to be prideful when we have an abundance. And when we are prideful we've cut ourselves off from the Lord; and in essence we have apostatized to a degree.
I could go on and on with references to scripture and the almost inevitable outcome of the money/pride cycle but I think I've made my point.
Why is it that we want so badly that which cannot satisfy?
I don't know either...
Big UP!
Sione
7 comments:
from happytobehere:
"Regarding money or those who have money, I'll say; Judge not lest ye be judged by the same measure by which ye judge,(or heaven forbid with a worse judgment). Life is hard enough as it is, and to live and let live would be more appropriate don't you think. Besides, wasn't it also Christ who taught the parable of the talents. Case in point, the L.D.S. church is as wealthy as an organization can get. They aren't perfect however, the multiplication of their wealth or talents is favorable to say the least in the sight of Lord. All I hope for is to be better tomorrow than I was today. We all have have our crosses to bear and hopefully we'll all be humble enough to include the Lord in figuring it all out. "
My statement is not an indictment of the wealthy, but a commentary of scripture and a quote by Brother Hugh Nibley.
The essence of my message is a reality check on our appetites, passions, and desires, especially as it relates to money and its accumulation for that which is more than "sufficient" for our needs.
The LDS church has sufficient for its needs and thank God I'm not responsible for the discharge of those monies. It is a money consuming Church, not a money making Church.
You mention crosses-- surely the cross of wealth and ease has proven to be one of the heaviest; and when we look to the scriptures, we see it is demonstrably so.
Big UP!
Sione
I enjoyed your commentary. Don't take my comments as critical, but rather as engaging. It is enjoyable for me to have discussion, friendly or spirited. Moving on, I'm certain you will agree that to define "sufficient for our needs" we could go on forever. Therefore, it is this vagueness that makes the whole situation of money so difficult. We as citizens of the U.S.A. are all relatively wealthy and have a relative life of ease. Are we all cursed or blessed? One would only need a short trip to Africa, South America or the Middle East to recognize the whole of our wealth and most definitely ease of living. For this reason I applaud those who take something like money and make it go in a good direction. We can therefore recognize wealth as a blessing and not a curse. Ease on the other hand is generally a curse. Nobody, not even nature can grow as needed without some resistance and travail. To be wealthy without direction and to live in ease without periodic trials will only bring destruction to our soul.
I applaud those who do good with money as well. I applaud those who do the will of the Father with all that they have at their disposal, including all their time talents and abilities of which they have been blessed or with which they may be blessed.
However, the scriptures demonstrate a distinct correlation between wealth and pride and an eventual destruction. Surely, pride cometh before the fall.
And what to make of the chances/odds that the Lord gives the Rich? Eye of the needle etc.? Are we not to take the Savior of the world at his word?
And what, in your opinion, is the perfect balance and how do we get there?
Big UP
Sione
Are we not to be industrious? Inevitably, goal directed industry will lead to success. Where is the spiritual crime in that? We reap what we sew. I'm trying to focus on the idea that we do all that we can do. At that point, if we are blessed with success then the first step in finding that balance is to recognize the whole of it as a blessing, not a curse.
Acknowledging the Lord in sincere gratitude will ground us in how we deal with success. Tithing is of course next, followed by private, quiet help to those in need without ever calling attention to one's self. To save for retirement or a rainy day, allowing for an accumulation of wealth is most assuredly not an evil thing either. We are counseled to do so. Self sufficiency is preached by all of our leaders and should be a goal for all of us. It's embarrassing to see how poorly we generally do at avoiding bankruptcy, foreclosures and consumer debt. Why, because in my opinion, we pridefully create an illusion of wealth and we focus far too much on it. Love the Lord (not money) thy God with all thy heart, might mind and soul. PROVE IT! by truly loving thy neighbor by word AND deed. Not when it's convenient, but rather unconditionally.
Don't try to get something for nothing and get to work at providing for your family. At that point if you have extra, ask the Lord for his direction in how to deal with it. But don't feel cursed, unless you did get something for nothing. Good, honest hard work is a blessing and will bring you more blessings.
By the way, that pride thing, we've all got it. To deny that is foolish and lends to having it. If you can figure that one out let me know. Darn that natural man! Isn't there some kind of weed killer you can get for that at I.F.A.?
I agree that we should do all that we can do in every aspect of our life and let the Lord bless us as he will.
Surely if we have a little extra or success in whatever form, we should seek the guidance of the Spirit in the discharge of those funds.
I agree that we all have pride, but we all possess it in varying degree's along a continuum of discipleship. According to the BoM, the wealthy possess it in abundance. Now, I don't judge the wealthy around me, I can only detect patterns and "types" found within sacred writ and use them as a warning and liahona in my own life.
However, the Lord simply stated that as we become increasingly more Rich, it becomes increasingly more likely that we won't go to heaven. That point was made in no uncertain terms. And nobody ever wants to concede that point even though it came from the mouth of the Son of God.
It's not to be fretted over. I just keep going...little by little becoming the person God wants.
Big UP!!!
ps thanks for always stopping by.
No denying what the Lord said.
No denying what you've said.
I'm just wondering, how do we figure out how to do his will and still live in an imperfect world that requires money. No doubt, it's tough!
It's fun to chat with someone who can keep focus.
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