‘Last Generation’
1 Tim 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present
age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God,
who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
The great danger
for successful rich man is the silent development of pride which accumulates
slowly by continuous successes. Slowly and unconsciously, he will exclude God out
of his successes thereby stealing His glory.
Dan 3:28-29 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the
God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His
servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and
yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except
their own God! Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language
which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because
there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
After God’s
deliverance of the three Israeli youths, King Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself
before his subjects and proclaimed the faithfulness of the Almighty God.
Dan 4:11, 22, 25, 27 The tree grew and became strong; Its
height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the
earth.... it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your
greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of
the earth.... They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the
beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall
wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you
know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever
He chooses.... Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break
off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the
poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Though his mouth
praised and thanked God, his heart slowly began to glorify his own abilities.
To help him overcome pride, Prophet Daniel advised King Nebuchadnezzar to
repent of his sins and iniquities by doing righteous works and by being
merciful to the poor.
Brethren, this is
good advice for every one of us, for faith without works is dead.
Dan 4:30-31 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great
Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the
honor of my majesty?” While the word was
still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to
you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed
from you!”
The pride of
Nebuchadnezzar was revealed when he claimed his greatness by his own ability
and God reduced him to be like a cow eating grass. Today, many of our rich
brethren may be tempted to steal the glory from God. God will humble them by
sending them into bankruptcy, jail terms for corruption, theft, money
laundering, sexual crimes, loss of precious ones, removal from practice (lawyers,
doctors)
1 Tim 6:3-4 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not
consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is
obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy,
strife, reviling, evil suspicions.
It is always wrong doctrines and heresies that destroy
Christians' faith and love for God, causing them to stray and become proud, haughty,
selfish, covetous, wicked, and worldly.
