The Christians of America are to come out of the worldly society in which they live and become a holy remnant before the Lord. Our eternal government is a Kingdom governed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Our constitution is the Scriptures. Our economic system is that of seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. All other governments, constitutions, and economic systems are at enmity with our most important values.

When we attempt to mix Christianity with democracy, or trust in God with free-enterprise capitalism, we enter deception and confusion. God's anointing never will remain on people who become entangled with worldly governments or financial systems.

Money takes the place of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God is the Power of Christ's rule. Money is the power of the rule of Antichrist. The love and worship of money will be prominent in the worldwide Antichrist government that is on the horizon, according to our present understanding.

It is difficult for citizens of the wealthy nations of today to imagine a way of life apart from an emphasis on the acquisition of money as the objective of life on earth. However, the rule of Christ does not emphasize money at all. The emphasis is on seeking God's Kingdom and God's righteousness, with the understanding that all of our material needs will be supplied.

It has not always been true that lending money for the sake of obtaining interest has occupied such a prominent place in society. In fact, the Scripture speaks against the practice of loaning money with the intent of gaining interest. God prefers we share with one another. The practice of lending money on interest does not appear to be in the best interest of society.

Although we distinguish between interest and usury today, it does not appear that this is the case in the admonitions of Scripture. From the beginning, God spoke against lending wealth with the intent of obtaining increase.

Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. (Leviticus 25:36)

He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, (Ezekiel 18:8)

God regards the man who shares his wealth as being righteous.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (Psalms 37:26)

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; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (I Timothy 6:17,18)

In our day it has come to be accepted, in the major nations in particular, that the gaining of more money by the investment of money (as distinguished from producing wealth by working, by manufacturing, by creating) is a basis of economic life. Much stress is placed on the accumulation of money.

To accumulate money is to build a reserve of power. Accumulating money is a substitute for trusting God's wisdom, power, and care.

"No man can serve God and mammon," Jesus declared. "He will love one and hate the other." Every person must choose between trusting God and trusting money. One cannot serve both God and money. Each is a God and demands our worship.

To be continued.