‘Last Generation’
Rom 12:7-8 or ministry, let us
use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in
exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he
who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
1Tim 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. Let them
do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may
lay hold on eternal life.
The rich brethren must:
1. Not be haughty – as long
as he realizes that he is just a steward and his riches are from God to give to
His poor, needy but faithful servants.
2. Not to trust uncertain
riches but in the living God – if he is wise he will sell all and give alms
and follow (or trusting) Him.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking
at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell
whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven;
and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
3. Rich in good works so
that all those around him will see Jesus in him, and become Christians or
disciples of our Lord.
Mat 5:16 “Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in
heaven.”
4. Ready to give to the
poor, needy, missions, charitable homes liberally.
1 John 3:17 But whoever has
this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from
him, how does the love of God abide in him?
5. Willing to share his
wealth, blessings, joy and comfort with poor fellow brethren.
Mat 24:45-46 “Who then is a
faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to
give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he
comes, will find so doing.
6. Storing up for themselves a
good foundation for the time to come.
Luke 18:22 So when Jesus heard
these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have
and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come,
follow Me.”
Only by his obedience to the word of God will the rich brethren be able
to store up for himself treasures in heaven, and a strong foundation with the
baptism of the Spirit of truth that will help him to overcome the sins,
deceptions and temptations of this world.
Heb 11:24-26 By faith Moses,
when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
A merciful brethren looks for
opportunities to give to the poor but the wicked looks for excuses to be
merciless.
Beware of hoarding in the last
days
James 5:1-4 Come now, [you]
rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your
garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion
will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have
heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed, the wages of the laborers who
mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the
reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.
