Friday, October 19, 2007

The Pursuit Of An Illusion

I happened to turn on one of the national christian networks the other day, and they were well into another marathon of empty promises, also known as a telethon. The same botox infused faces stared back at me, spouting the same tired stories, urging me to break the back of poverty in my life, with a mere pittance of an offering, namely one thousand dollars.
I was about to turn it off, since I'd heard the same uninspired story more times than I could count already, when a new wrinkle was added to it. The man looked into the camera, and unflinchingly said, 'if you don't think money makes you happy, then you've never had enough of it.'
Rather than hearing crickets through the silence that should have ensued at such an absurd comment, the auditorium burst into enthusiastic applause.
For some unexplained reason, the words money and happiness have become not only synonymous, but seemingly interchangeable within the house of God. If you've got money, then you're happy, and if you're happy than you must have money.
Now I know we can quote the Bible here, and say 'the love of money is the root of all manner of evil', but who pays any mind to what the Bible says anymore anyway? If by some miracle or divine intervention, the magnitude of the parting of the Red Sea, it registers that you've quoted scripture, they're quick to come back with the old standby, 'we're not preaching the love of money, we're just preaching gettin' money.'
We've replaced worshiping Jesus, with worshiping Benjamin Franklin, Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Jackson and Alexander Hamilton. I could mention Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, but you can't do much with a five spot, or a one dollar bill nowadays.
I know there are at least fifty books, DVDs and teaching series out there, trying to teach the children of God how to get rich, acquire wealth, have everything they've ever wanted, and have fun doing it. Before you go and spend your hard earned money on one of these tutorials and instructional materials, ask yourselves the following question: Does money really bring happiness, or are you about to embark upon the pursuit of an illusion?
If your reason for pursuing money is to acquire happiness, you may want to take a second and gaze upon the human disasters walking about, with millions of dollars in the bank, yet with no sense of self worth, no dignity or self control.
Every time I'm standing in line at the supermarket there is another face staring back at me from the magazine racks, a face attached to a prominent name, attached to a bank account, attached to the deed of a palatial estate, who's just gotten out of rehab, or went into rehab, has developed an eating disorder, has admitted to being an alcoholic, a drug abuser, or has attempted suicide.
If money made you happy, and one's happiness was directly proportionate to the amount of money in your bank account, these people should be dancing down the street, skipping up the sidewalk, and smiling at every passerby.
Some years back there was a young musician, who having upwards of thirty million dollars in the bank, found this life to be so bleak, so pointless, so painful, so empty that he saw fit to take a shotgun blast to the face rather than live one more day. But hey, maybe thirty million wasn't enough to make him happy.
Remember now, if you don't think money makes you happy, you've never had enough of it!
I'm passed shock at this point, and am simply disgusted. I often catch myself thinking how long can this go on, then have to shake the thought out of my head, and replace it with the idea that one more day, may mean one more soul.
Since I'm feeling charitable today, I will give you the keys to true happiness, and it won't cost you a dime. You don't have to order a DVD, you don't have to buy my book, just read the following lines.
How to be happy: Keep your heart from hate, your mind from worry, live simply, expect little from this life, give much, sing often, pray always, be selfless, be loving, be gentle, be godly. All these are made possible, by serving Christ, and Christ alone.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

9 comments:

Marcel said...

The Christian entertainer's are giving the saints what they want to hear,otherwise they would have long ago vanished.
God's people always claim the blessings promised to Israel for themselves and always ignore the other promises God made and fulfilled to Israel.
Only half of the truth is no better rhan a lie because it decieves and leads you astray.

It has to be pride which tells our hearts that we are 'better' or 'wiser' than Gods' people were then.
The more I read the more I see we are the same.
The Lord is sending 'sword, famine and pestilence' our way starting at the apostate Church and with the Christian hucksters ,the star entertainers ,the false prophets of our day.
Thats what God's word says but you won't hear it from the shepherds because the saints just DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.
The fantasy god they serve is not the God I know.

Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. 5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
"Yet I will leave a remnant,
...
'Thus says the Lord God: "Pound your fists and stamp your feet, and say, 'Alas, for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! For they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. He who is far off shall die by the pestilence, he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who remains and is besieged shall die by the famine. Thus will I spend My fury upon them.
Ezekiel 6

A Seed Sower said...

And He shall say to such as these, "Depart from me you that work iniquity, I NEVER KNEW YOU."

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord! Brother
Keep on writing, the more I read the more I see books of substance coming out of you, more like volumes :) Keep blessing God's people and don't forget to spend time with the wife. There are always going to be questions and questions and more questions, it would be a shame if you're bombarded with questions from people that have Pastors. What is being taught at bible studies, and are the people of God attending? Anyway I guess I kinda got bothered reading an apology from you to people waiting on answers from your blog. God Bless and keep on writing.

Shepherd

Elm Street Chapel said...

Brother Michael,
You give them benefit of doubt and are offended for God's, our, and your sake. If you veiw them as liars, thieves/wolves in sheeps clothing tickling the ears of those carried away by their own lusts you can sleep better. Plus you aren't ashamed of them as shirt tail relations, they don't look like you anyway, and cetainly bear no resemblance to Our Father.
Dave

Anonymous said...

Yes Michael the church promises happiness that never comes.The Bible speaks of another Jesus. Some people believe this is some Jesus pretender. It is not. It is the Jesus that Chrisendom has made up to suit their purpose. They worship prosperity Jesus. Drop a C note in the plate, and I'll give you a grand. This is not the Jesus who said "sell all that you have and give the money to the poor". They worship kill them all and let God sort them out Jesus. I'm cool with it as long as you don't kill any Christians, or Jews. This is not the Jesus who said "as much as it is possible, be at peace with all men". They worship once saved always saved Jesus. Hey you confessed me. Don't worry you're in the club.This is not the Jesus who said "pray always that you will be found worthy to escape the things coming on the earth, and to stand before the son of man". No man, I repeat NO MAN will find true happiness without the true Jesus. You will not find him in todays church. You will find him in the Holy Bible, and in your heart if you invite him in.Turn away from the false teachers, and their false Jesus. Embrace the true Jesus , and his true gospel, before it's too late. Brother Michael, your love of the true Jesus, and this Blog, are a true blessing. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

If the prosperity gospel worked as wonderful as they always proclaim they would be sowing a seed to everyone else so they in turn could reap those huge returns from their gift!
Thanks for all the encouraging, challenging words as well as your time in keeping this blog going on top of everything else you do. You are truly a blessing to many and a refreshing voice of truth.
Blessings upon blessings to you, your family and this ministry.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I feel a certain queaziness, way down deep everytime that the Christian networks have their money telethons.

Giving to God is a good thing, and God does reward those whose hearts are pure toward him.

But, please,my uneasiness has forced me away from hearing all the blustering lies. How many times can God can tell one man $77 and another $1000 and still another $300.

God is NOT double or even triple minded. If he can talk to one man and tell him about giving, it should be the same thing her told another.

I have prayed for the TRUTH and receive it everyday. Thank GOD. I listen to him and not MAN. I pray the rest of humanity would do the same.

Anonymous said...

True and wise words, Bro Michael!

Anonymous said...

You know the other day I just realized how much the bible has to say about wealth and possessions: how to earn it, use it and give it. In all these things we should glorify Him as being the owner of all wealth and we as mere custodians or stewards. I've seen the contrary preached on these popular "Christian" programs where they encourage you to borrow or get into debt in order to "give to God" ...I'm yet to come across a verse in the bible that says God instructed someone to give what they did not have! God is averse to debt ...owe no man nothing but love. Like someone put it, you keep sowing a seed in someone else's field and you never get to harvest. We should ask God for discernment in giving so that we are not emptying the wealth God has given us into a bottomless pit of greed. Can you imagine the impact these fund mobilizers would have if they sold their multi-million dollar homes and private jets and stopped building new church buildings that they don't need and gave the money to the poor or really focused it on reaching people with the gospel...and oh not just that token poor person we are shown on TV to motivate us to give - but to really pursue the unreached with the gospel...

In his grace,
J