1 Timothy 6:17
King James Version
17 Charge them that are rich in this world,
that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
How to live light in this world?
How to be really happy?
And content?
And at peace?
Follow JESUS.
To live light, FOLLOW the LIGHT.
He will shine a light upon our darkness.
He will cast His light upon all shadows that hound us.
He will keep us on track.
Never again will you stray.
Never again will you be lost.
Never again will you fall into the world's many traps.
JESUS showed us how to live light.
His life was living example.
Especially if we are to minister to others.
That's what a born again is expected to do.
These from the four gospels:
Matthew 16:24-26
King James Version
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
and whosoever will lose his life for my sake
shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give
in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 19:21
King James Version
21 Jesus said unto him,
If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come and follow me.
Mark 12:29-31
King James Version
29 And Jesus answered him,
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel;
The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind,
and with all thy strength:
this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
There is none other commandment
greater than these.
Luke 9:3
King James Version
3 And he said unto them,
Take nothing for your journey,
neither staves, nor scrip,
neither bread, neither money;
neither have two coats apiece.
Luke 10:4-8
King James Version
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes:
and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say,
Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there,
your peace shall rest upon it:
if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in the same house remain,
eating and drinking such things as they give:
for the labourer is worthy of his hire.
Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter,
and they receive you,
eat such things as are set before you:
John 3:5-7
King James Version
5 Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,
Ye must be born again.
That's a big difference from what the world programs you to do.
Wherein you will own nothing.
It serves their dubious and shady plans.
Being born again means you serve JESUS.
You follow His commands, as given by GOD.
And when you do, naturally you share the gospel.
The things of this world hold no attraction for you.
You won't want to accumulate stuff anyway.
But it serves GOD's plan.
1 John 2:15-17
King James Version
15 Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever.
Just so you know, only the WORD of GOD will remain.
Matthew 24:35
King James Version
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away.
Serving the LORD means:
Your mind is not caught up with possessions.
Your heart is not possessed by acquisitions.
Your spirit is not beholden to the world.
Beware -- covetousness is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5-7
King James Version
5 Mortify therefore your members
which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness,
inordinate affection, evil concupiscence,
and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God
cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time,
when ye lived in them.
Let go of stuff you don't need.
What to get rid of in your house?
This link tells us.
The rest you don't need?
Give away or sell.
Whatever you sell it for, set aside for the LORD.
Pray He tells you how and where to use it.
But it will surely be for His GLORY.
This verse brings everything into perspective:
1 Timothy 6:7-8
King James Version
7 For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.
The times are critical.
The Rapture can happen any moment.
Why drown in stuff?
Why be unaware of the things that truly matter?
Why be caught up in the ways of the world?
Aim to get right with GOD now.
Aim to know His commands.
Aim to follow JESUS.
FOCUS on the LORD alone.
Colossians 3:1-2
King James Version
3 If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.
That we may be ready when the time comes.
Acts 3:19
King James Version
19 Repent ye therefore,
and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out,
when the times of refreshing shall come
from the presence of the Lord.
Related materials:
JESUS as LIGHT
FOCUS on THINGS above
It's all PREPARATION now
We Shall ALL Be CHANGED
BORN AGAIN classics
BORN AGAIN articles
Idolatry
On idolatry
Other FORMS of idolatry
The devil's DEVICES
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