Chapters: 1. Why Don't Men Obey God?
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25 WARNING FROM A WATCHMAN
"So thou, oh son of man, I have set thee a watch man unto
the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at
my mouth, and warn them from me...if thou dost not speak
to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die
in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."
--Ezekiel 33:7-8
I feel constrained to cry out concerning one of the issues
of the time. In the last few years a style has gained increasing
popularity which encourages girls and women to expose their
bodies. I believe that girls and women who expose their bodies
from a little below their knee upward subject every normal man to
severe, difficult temptation, the aftermath of which may result
in serious penalty at Judgment. The Judgment, of course, is in
the hands of God: but being one of His servants, I feel that it
is wise to mention it gently and rightly, with caution and
carefulness.
In all the writings of leading ministers today--though they
are very fine men--I have never read one warning about this
matter. Yet, every man of God to whom I have shared my concern
has affirmed that what I believe is true. I am certain that our
precious women would want to know the seriousness of the clothing
styles which they select, for any man who is truly going with
Jesus today is undergoing more severe temptation in this world
than any woman could possibly comprehend. I know that every
handmaid of Jesus would desire to only help men of God rather
than place a stumbling block in their way.
285 Jesus has revealed to me another serious concern of this
age, indicated by Paul's words to Timothy: "Charge
them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded,
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 ...laying up
in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to
come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (First Timothy
6:17-19)
The Lord has laid it on my heart that I am to lift up my
voice in love to all those of any wealth, for Jesus very plainly
indicates that it will not be an easy assignment for the rich to
enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. He compared the rich man's
assignment to persevere to Heaven like that of a rope (as I
understand from certain Bible scholars) going through the eye of
a needle. It is possible to work a rope through the eye of a needle
by separating it first into strands, then dividing these strands
into even finer fibers, but it takes much labor and determination.
However, Jesus gives encouragement to those who can be classified
as wealthy when He added, "...But with God all things are possible."
We in the United States can easily conclude that Jesus was
talking about millionaires and those with family fortunes when He
said, "How hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into
the Kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24) But when we consider the great
poverty which grips numerous small nations and many of the islands
of the sea, it is simple to see that if we have a roof over our head,
carpet on the floor, and a car to drive, we are actually very wealthy
individuals.
I know that it is not popular to mention finances, but as
God's servant I must lovingly warn all who have any amount of
wealth or I will be responsible for their blood in Judgment.
Jesus said that the rich have had their consolation. This has stirred
my heart that I would not fail to warn every precious person that we
must be certain to pray about where God wants us to place our finance,
so that we won't be found wanting when we get to the Judgment.
286 The Lord has shown me that many people of considerable
means--dear ones who have savings, stocks, bonds, or investments
of one thousand dollars or more--tend to give to God's work in
the proportion of the average wage-earner. Many have rested on
the assumption that a tenth is all that God expects us to give of
our means. But when I inquire of the Lord, He reveals some very
serious facts about those having several thousand dollars in
their control.
I must urge every dear person to seek the guidance of the
Holy Spirit about how his finance is to be invested in God's
Kingdom. The more that I have, the greater proportion of my
income God will want me to reinvest in the Kingdom. As I
joyfully give it back to Him, He could increase the returns even
more. Earnestly seeking God's will in the matter of giving is
much more serious that I can tell you.
I wish to make perfectly clear that I deeply respect and
appreciate each person who has managed his earthly possessions
well and has accumulated some wealth. Such individuals are
greatly needed. In fact, it is possible that the abilities which
permitted success in the area of finance are gifts from God to be
used primarily in the vital areas of financing His Kingdom work.
If we are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we'll not press
on to discover what God wants us to do with our wealth. If we
love God more than we love our possessions, we will be anxious to
learn God's will and give gladly what He reveals. But if we love
our possessions more than we love God, it will place a great bind
on our soul to persevere to God's perfect will and share what He
requires.
I do not know how much Jesus will ask of each of you. But
God has clearly witnessed that I must warn those who are rich
that they not come up to Judgment and discover that they have
kept too much for themselves and shared too little for God's
work. (And when I tell you this, God says, "I lead thee by the
Holy Ghost.") I want to be true and faithful to all people
everywhere.
287 A PRAYERFUL REQUEST
If I might make a humble request, I would like to encourage
each of you who read this pilgrimage, if you are suffering from a
particular sickness or affliction, to simply have faith for God
to heal you. I am not a healer. There is no power in me.
However, my faith is that if God wills, you can be healed even as
you read these pages. I believe some will be healed as they read
these experiences which God has done, at His direction, for
others. Please give Jesus all the praise always. If He delays
your healing, simply trust and be thankful. If it isn't His will
to heal you, be faithful and true just the same, maintaining a
right spirit in Jesus by God's grace and help.
The promise of James 5:14-15 is also fully available to every
follower of Jesus: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the
elders of the church; let them pray over him, anointing him with
oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save
the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed
sins, they shall be forgiven him." Each of you may request elders
in your local area to anoint you and pray for your healing.
I share this with you because I recognize that many may wish
to call me in order that I might pray for their healing. But
unless the Holy Spirit leads me, I am unable to pray for anyone.
It may be God's will that your pastor pray for you, or the elders
near you, or that one of your brothers or sisters in Christ
petition Heaven on your behalf.
On the other hand, the Holy Spirit may lead someone to ask
me to pray for them, and I would not want to miss a single divine
appointment. But, if you are certain that God is leading you to
contact me, I would ask that you please grant me the liberty of
seeking God's guidance concerning your need.
It is such a high privilege to pray for God's people, and
when the Holy Spirit leads I am lifted and strengthened in my
soul. If God is not leading, on the other hand, it demands much
more strength to pray, for I am not able to get through to the
Throne without the Holy Spirit leading and helping me.
I trust that each of you will accept this small request in
the spirit of love in which it is given. I need your prayers
more that any of you can realize, unless the Lord Jesus reveals
it to you by His love and purity.
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