One of the major efforts of Satan in the last days will be directed toward persuading Christians that they should seek glory, love, worship, and trust in material wealth. The true saint will flee from every attempt to involve him or her in the pursuit of money.

Related to this is the Christian involvement in politics. Except for individuals whom God may direct into public office, the Christians are not to seek to govern the peoples of the earth. Our time to govern will come with the appearing of the Lord from Heaven. Meanwhile we must keep in mind that the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus is not of this world but will come with Him from Heaven.

If a Christian should come into authority as a public official, let him govern according to his integrity, competence, and experience. He is not to employ a Christian mystique such that he is governing as a prophet of God.

It is acceptable that a public official be a Christian. It is not acceptable that he attempt to set up the Kingdom of God at this time, that he seek to substitute the mysteries of his faith in place of integrity, competence, and courage, or that he attempt to use a high office to put his Christian friends in positions of power.

It is not unusual for popular Christian leaders to be lacking in integrity. They have permitted their Christian faith to destroy their character. Such have no business being in public office. The destruction of their character is the result of their belief that accepting Jesus as our Savior relieves us of the necessity for maintaining integrity and faithfulness.

The current prophecies that Christians are to control the wealth of the world and gain political power are not of God. They are from the enemy. The true saint will shun all attempts to call him down from his cross of patient obedience to the Lord Jesus.

The Scriptures teach us, by illustration and commandment, that the saint is not to worship the God of money. We have the examples of Balaam, Gehazi, Judas, and Ananias and Sapphira, to help us understand God's attitude toward the love and worship of money.

In addition:

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition [destruction]. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (I Timothy 6:8-11)

Will we obey Paul or not?

To be continued.