Greetings
in the precious name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who said, "Launch out
into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" (Mt.24:14).
People tell me that though they do what they are told from the Bible, they do
not get deliverance from poverty, sickness, problem and trouble. My question
is, "why not?" Do you think that the Bible is giving us false promises
of deliverance, prosperity and blessings. No, God can never lie. The Word of
God is true. If it is so, there must be a good reason behind the failure to
receive God's blessing. Let me tell you just one reason why a person is financially
down. Yes. it is only one of the reasons.
The wealth gained by improper, un-Christian
ways will not give the blessings.
As of thought about this subject, Judas came to my mind. Let me give you a short
Bible study about this man Jesus had chosen.
(1) Judas was chosen by Christ to be an apostle (Mt.l0:4); therefore we know
he was sincere in the beginning. There was something within Judas-qualities
that attracted Jesus, qualities that He knew could mean a lot to the Kingdom
of God.
(2) Judas was a man gifted in financial affairs, apparently even more than Matthew,
the wealthy tax collector, and the businessmen among the apostles, such as Peter.
James, and John. Among all these, Judas was placed in charge of the Lord's funds
and the purchasing of whatever was needed (Jn. l2:6; 13:29 and Lk. 8:2, 3).
His appointment from among so many was bound to be due to unusual spiritual
qualities as well as to unusual ability in financial management.
(3) Judas, at some unknown point, began to embezzle from the Lord's funds. John
says unmistakably that Judas was a thief (Jn 12:6). John relates this fact when
he says that Judas was greatly disturbed with Mary, the sister of Martha when
she used a jar of expensive perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus instead of selling
it to secure money for the Lord's treasury. John says the reason for Judas'
disturbance was because Judas was a thief and could have embezzled some more
of the money (Jn.l2:5.6).
(4) Judas refused to repent and he hardened his heart more and more in this
sin, Christ knew of Judas' embezzlement and gave a hint at it, giving Judas
opportunity, after opportunity to repent (Jn. 6:64,70,71). Judas was bound to
feel the pangs of guilt at such times, yet he continued to deceive himself that
Christ did not really know and had no real proof. Judas kept right on taking
what he felt he could safely embezzle, hardening his heart more and more.
(5) Judas apparently followed Christ out of a heart of greed and wordly ambition,
not out of a heart of love and faith in Him as the son of God. This seems to
be indicated by two facts: (a) Judas felt that wealth, power, and position would
be his when Christ set up his kingdom. The other apostles thought the same.
But Judas did not believe that Jesus was the son of God. Others did. (b) He
apparently was disillusioned with Christ after the triumphal entry. Christ did
not immediately set up His kingdom, and as the days passed, the fact that He
was not going to set up His kingdom became more and more apparent. Judas finally
became convinced that he was mistaken about Christ. Christ was not the real
Messiah. He was just another mistaken, self-proclaimed Messiah. He was doomed
and there was no way out. Judas saw his dreams of wealth, power, and position
with Christ being shattered. Thus what he was trying to do was to get what he
could out of the situation. He wanted to be in good standing with the winning
side and also to get what he could.
(6) Judas filled his heart with the lust for more and more instead of filling
it with Christ. He went too long without repenting and letting Christ in his
life, and the devil was able to fill his being. The devil blinded and took control
of his thoughts (Lk. 23:3). So he sold the Master for thirty pieces of silver
which was the wages of a man for 4-5 months in those days.
(7) There is a possibility that Judas betrayed Christ because he was angry,
for having been deceived as well as for having been disillusioned (Look Mt.
26:16). Judas sought opportunity to betray Him. He was willing to get what he
could, no matter how small the amount.
So, Judas got thirty pieces of silver. But what happened to Judas with the money.
He killed himself. His family would have been ashamed to mention his name. What
happened to the money? They purchased a land to bury the strangers and the land
is called, "the field of blood".
Do you see what I am trying to tell you. The stolen honey and money may taste
better for some time, but soon, very soon, it will turn bitter. It will fly
away. "Like the partidge that gathers a brood which she did not hatch and
sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches by unjust means
and not by right. He will leave them, or they will leave him, in the midst of
his days, and at his end he will be a fool."(Jer. 17:11 Amp. Bible) Even
then the curse can follow him. If he has betrayed someone, the tears of that
man will be crying from the earth. Praying, fasting, offering, giving alms will
not stop those tears.
I want all my readers who have been going through a financial crunch for a long
time, to examine their life. Is there a curse chasing you? If so, sit and repent.
Ask forgiveness of God. Go and get reconciled with that person whom you or your
dearest have wounded, hurt or deceived. Ask his forgive- ness in plain language.
Your pride may stop you. But let me ask you as what is important- false pride
or blessings of God flowing into you and your children and grand children- generation
to generation? Get deliverance from curses.
I
say this because I want EVERY ONE OF YOU TO BE BLESSED.
The
TRAIN that Came Back 
