Rich, Richer, Richest

20152015 Dr. Mike Life in Christ

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

How much do you need to be considered rich? How much would you need to be consider richer? And how much would you need to be considered the richest? Than more importantly, how much do you really need?

In the western culture, we are quickly evaluated on the value of our toys. To acquire a house, purchase a car, or simply to take a 2 week vacation in Monte Carlo takes a certain amount of wealth. Yet how come when we generally speak about being rich we associate it with material prosperity?

God loves both the rich and the poor. You can’t make God love you more by being richer or poorer. In fact, being rich or poor may prevent you from drawing closer to God. The writer of Proverbs 30:8-9 states: “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

Most of us would agree that life is easier with riches then without. Whether we are speaking about money, food, shelter, and clothing, the more or better quality, the more comfortable life becomes. On the other hand, what about love. There are those who would trade-in all their personal wealth for one person to love unselfishly.

There are those who would trade-in all their wealth for a healthy body that allows them to experience full activity of their bodily functions. My mother would continually preach to her children and friends that without good health, you are limited in what you can do on a daily basis.

As we age, most of us look back at life and realize that the most important relationship we truly wanted was never the one we wholeheartedly pursued. It generally takes many years of hard knocks, broken dreams, and hurtful relationships to arrive at the realization that to know God is the primary purpose of life.

When the Triune God becomes the center of ones being, one truly experiences more than physical wealth, health, or whatever can provide. To know Him, not theoretically or as an idea, but as a being with loving passion, righteous character, life-giving values, and meaningful purpose, makes one fall in love each and every day. When one set’s his heart and treasure for a deep, abiding relationship with the divine creator, one truly comes to know what it means to be rich, richer, and richest in the Kingdom of God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married

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Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

20152015 Dr. Mike Jesus Christ, Quotes

Quote of the Week…

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” per C.L. Lewis

Reprint from March 15, 2013…

Good Work

20152015 Dr. Mike Business & Faith Good Work

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV

What does Good Work look like for you?

If you are a father or mother, what does good work look for you in that role?
If you are a minister or an executive, what does good work look like for you?
If you are an accountant or an electrician, what does good work look like for you?

Whatever your calling, whatever your role, whatever you profession, what does good work look like for you?

Paul writes in Ephesians that we are Jesus’ creative masterpiece for the purpose of doing good work. That we are characters within his narrative of life and fill the pages of his story with good work. That the productive work we do has been pre-planned. You are simply following through on what you have been called to do.

You may still be in the preparation stage of the main theme of God’s plan. Or you may be completing the most adventurous journey in the workplace that a person could experience in this life. Either way, you are His workmanship gracefully cultivated to fulfill His purpose for your sake and for the sake of others.

The question remains what kind of work are you going to do? Are you going to give it your best and do good work? Or are we going to fight, argue, and criticize everyone because you don’t like what you are currently doing? Are you going to make your Heavenly Father pleased with your service to the heavenly Family business or disappoint yourself and the angels who are rooting for you?
When we take the gifts, talents, and abilities He placed within our DNA and wholeheartedly share that with others, we are performing good works.

The Bible gives much insight into the good works we are called to do. Everything from caring for the poor and alien, to the quality of service and products we exchange for the benefit of others. Everything we do that is within His Will is good and beneficial for humanity. God wired us to do good work. Here are some Scriptures to ponder:

“From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.” Proverbs 12:14

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matt 5:16

“They (the rich) are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,…” 1 Timothy 6:18.

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Titus 3:8

There are many others that you may enjoy studying. Just realize that you were physically born and newly created in Jesus Christ for good work. If you are having trouble discovering what work God has called you for, spend time with Him in prayer. He will lead you to the people or to the place where you will have the opportunity to glorify Him through the good work you were pre-wired to fulfill. For when you find yourself there, than you will realize how much involved he is in your life and continue to praise Him, and praise Him, and praise Him.

Rooting For You in Christ!