To Serve God
Ways To Serve God
Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:18
TABLE OF CONTENT:01- To Serve God
02- Ways to Serve God
03- Man Of Distinction
04- Prosperity
05- God’s Blessing
06- How Do You Sell Your Soul To The Devil?
07- Poor And Rich
08- Rich Dad Poor Dad
09- Who Do I Want To Be?
Man of Distinction
To serve or not to serve God. What is the difference between these two options?
Malachi chapter 3 reveals the infidelity of Israel concerning money and time for God. The Israelites constantly irritated the Lord with their words and never admitted their mistakes. Israel was looking around and saw pagan nations being great in their economy, and their infrastructure. Not only people in other nations are prosperous but also some evildoers in Israel. Many wondered why the evildoers were so prosperous in their lives while those who fear the Lord did not have the same prosperity. The worst thing about this is that Israel was convinced that God was prospering and blessing those evildoers. And God was tired of listening to these complaining day by day.
Prosperity
Do you know someone who already thought the same way? Why your co-worker always gets the best in the company while you do not have the same fate. What about your neighbor who wastes money with so many foolish things and it does not make any difference in his pocket? It is true that is not easy to look around and see so many ungrateful people prospering. Why does this happen? Is God who blesses them? The eviler the richer he becomes. Is this statement true? Yes and no, it depends.
According to the website Gizmodo “Research published a while ago shows that people who have lots of money behave less ethically — and are less generous — than people who have less.” Watch the video “The PBS Newshour makes a pretty alarming case that money erodes your morals”
God’s blessing
Those who believe that God blesses evildoers may read the entire book of Malachi. The reader will see that the idea is wrong, God never gives the bread of his children for the evil one. Only those who recognize him can receive his blessing. “He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs’.” (Matthew 15:26). Jesus used this example with the Canaanite woman to illustrate and clarify to the world that he will never bless sinners or evildoers only if they have faith in his name and accept him as the savior of the world and change their lifestyles.
How do you sell your soul to the devil?
Do you believe that is possible for a man to receive a worldly fortune from the Devil? Of course, that is possible. When Jesus won the first round against the Devil and he did not have any chance to convince Jesus to do his will then he proposed to him to give fame and all the fortune of this world. Fortunately, Jesus rebuked him, and the Devil let Jesus alone and the angels came and helped him (Matthew 4:1-11). The Devil wanted Jesus to worship and adore him in exchange for anything in this world. The Bible mentions this event because it is something that anyone can face anytime.
When a man sells his soul to the Devil, he never finds peace and for this reason, there are so many unhappy billionaires in the world. The Bible teaches that happiness is found in peace. If a man lives in peace everything will be fine. His contentment is the most treasure that he can obtain in this world. Jesus is the peace that everyone must believe, trust and follow. The Lord can bless you here and your eternal life. While the Devil gives you pleasure in this world, but your eternity must be in jeopardy. In Matthew 6:24 is written “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
The difference between the one who serves the Lord and the one who does not serve Him is simple, one pleases God, and the other one does not please Him. God in his words explains through the prophet Malachi:
“ Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. ‘They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:16-18”
God promised that his people will be protected, and he will preserve their integrity and for those who do not serve him there is no promise. Be rich without God is the worst thing that may happen in someone’s life. Be poor with God is the richest thing that one can have in this world and the most blessing in eternity.
Poor and Rich
God is not against richness but the evil heart. If you are rich and your heart, please God then you serve Him but if your heart is evil being poor or rich does not make any difference regarding God’s judgment.
Rich dad poor Dad
Robert Kiyosaki wrote a book “Rich dad poor dad” and he mentioned about two dads, one biological (poor) and the other a role model (the rich). This is the story of his life. The poor one taught him to go to school and get a degree and the rich one taught him to make money. This concept of making money led him to misunderstand the rich dad. In his childhood with the help of a friend, they decided to make fake money which was rebuked by the rich dad. When you compare this rich Dad you can think about the figure of God. God does not want us to make fake money but work and invest in our lives. When you are honest in your doing your actions, please God. To make money to bless people in need is one of the most gifts that a man can obtain in this world. Mr. Kiosaki emphasizes many times the importance to use your richness to help others in need.
Who do I want to be?
Ask yourself this question. Remember if your boat is full of fish, it will not have room for Jesus to enjoy it. Make room for Jesus in everything you do and then his mercy and grace will be always upon you. And your eternity will be safe with him.
Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)