The Church of Christ with the Elijah Message Blog

3^rd Nephi 6:14-16

And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites which were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immoveable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had not enjoyed peace but a few years.

What happened to the Lamanites also has happened to mankind today. We have gotten so worried about ourselves and the stuff in our lives that we have walked away from God. Don’t be like that, keep God in the front and don’t worry about earthly problems.

Helaman 4:12-13

And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, raising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites— And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.

As go through our lives we must remember to take care of those who need our help. We cannot think that possessions and money is what defines us. It is what we do with that stuff that defines us. What do you do with your blessing, keep them or share them?

2^nd Nephi 28:13-16

They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because of their pride they are puffed up. They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, which are humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men. O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all they that preach false doctrines, and all they that commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell! Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

Christianity of the world today is not what Christ left with he established his church. He did not teach that we need big fancy buildings, that we should only help out the poor at Christmas, or that if we give him a little of our money that we should be able to keep the excess. The people who follow this idea that God wants us to be rich are going to have a eye awaking experience in the future. We must remember that God wants us to be loved and to love others. Not collect earthly possessions.

Mark 1:16-18

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

Working for God does not pay well in eyes of the world, but the benefits and deferred payment of everlasting life in heaven is worth it. No amount of money, praise, or positions will help you serve God. We need to look at ourselves and ask are we doing all that we can, are we fisher of men?

Mark 10:17-23

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is,  God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples,  How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Things of this world will not make us happy or save us. When we all die we cannot take our possessions with us. If we can’t take them with us, then why do we collect them at all? I am not saying that we should own nothing, and beg for you food, but we should not set our life mission to making money and buying things.

Luke 12:15

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

We cannot take possessions with us to heaven. It does us no good to have lots of stuff. That stuff can do nothing for us. It cannot give us happiness, it cannot make us healthy. We must not worry about stuff, but worry about actions.

Mark 12:13-17

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Let us not worry about the things of this world. If we follow God’s commandments we will always have enough. I am saying that we should all quite our jobs and only do the Lords work, but we should not make riches are priority.  We need to follow the rules of the land, but not let them become our focus.