To the poor, we’ve somehow adopted a different position on matters of earthly increase. Even though Jesus was documented as saying to sell all we have and give That wealth and success are somehow expected attributes of one who followsĬhrist. Of financial gain and hoarding of possessions. Understanding, wisdom, knowledge) of it.”ĭon’t labor and grow weary in order to gain riches – leave it alone and restįew strongholds have infected the Body of Christ so extensively as the endless pursuit Rich), cease (chadal: forbear, leave, left off, let alone,įorsake, rest) from your consideration (biynah: To gain wealth (`ashar: rich, enrich, richer, pretend to be “Do not weary (yaga`: labor, faint, toil) yourself Wealth, cease from your consideration of it.” (NASB) Of course hand-picked by Jesus Himself to be one of His disciples but turns out Well-known account of this man Judas, one of Jesus’ closest friends. It’s in this place I’d like to discuss today’s passage. Without Christ (or perhaps even more especially who we were before regeneration). It seems to be forgotten though who we are Services, defend and support their denomination, listen to Christian radio,ĭress well, live accomplished lives in the natural and do their best to be seenĪs all around excellent people. Hard to portray their innocence and how “good” they are. Today, within the American evangelical movement, people seem to be trying so Priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to deliver Jesus to you toīe judged and condemned?” And they stood with Judas and gave him thirty pieces Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief One to custody to be judged and condemned, give up ) Him to you?’ And they covenanted ( histemi: stand with, set, established ) with him and weighed “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me to betray ( paradidomi: give over, deliver up “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?’ And they covenanted with him and weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him.” So today, shake off your burdens and rest. The Christ-life is meant to be a joyful one, not a begrudgingĪnd laborious yoke. To be found pleasing to God equally as much as with our earthly ventures, We were always all tired and somehow proud of it because it gave some unhealthy sense of accomplishment.īurdens abound within our constant attempts Pastor of all I was doing, all “our” youth were doing, all our church was doing. I remember vividly the times I’d brag as a youth That being said, these should not be exhausting to the point of constant Serving the poor, caring for one’s family, interacting with the Body of ChristĪnd so forth. Yes, there is much to tend to – spiritual growth, We’ve been led to believe that our following of Christ can somehow be modeledĪfter how we labor in the natural. I kind of chuckled at this knowing that this would do absolutely nothingĪs I hear Christians often speak of all they “do” onīehalf of Christianity, I wonder how much of it all is really even necessary. On to tell me about how she had “sprayed some carpet cleaner on it” after the When I met her later in the day to do the job she went So of course the drink was in theĬarpet and needed removed. Her floorboard before she could get to it. Specifically, she had a bottled drink explode and empty a bit on Yesterday I had a customer contact me requesting some interior work on Most of you who are reading this know, I work in the automotive detailingīusiness. You know that Christ appeared and made Himself visible to mankind in order to bearĪnd carry off our sin and offenses against God. Uprightness and honor, violations of God's law ). To take away ( airo: take up, bear, cause to cease, take upon one's selfĪnd carry off ) sins ( hamartia: o ffenses, to miss or wander from the path of “ You know that appeared ( phaneroo : made manifest, made visible, exposed to