Choosing Faith Over Fortune

Brother Richie Juatco: Underestimating an opponent is never a good idea, especially when the enemy we are all up against—the devil— is not merely smart, but is described in the Bible as cunning and crafty. So knowing our enemy’s tactics is crucial, because it allows us to anticipate his moves, develop effective countermeasures, exploit his weaknesses, and ultimately increase our chances of success in any attack.

This is what we will continue to study today here on The Message.

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Brother Richie: Hi. Thanks for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco.

Brother Mark Vasquez: Hi, I’m Brother Mark Vasquez. 

Knowing that the devil is our ultimate enemy, this then makes the Lord Jesus Christ our ultimate example to follow, because He defeated the devil in every attempt to deceive Him. The biblical account, when the devil tempted Jesus three times, exposes his three tactics or methods he uses to deceive and pull people away from God. So every attack on us, or attempt to ruin our faith, will fall under one of these methods. 

Brother Richie: Now in our last episode, we studied the devil’s tactic in using troubles, problems, or hardships, and we also learned what our Lord Jesus Christ used to protect and defend Himself. Now we encourage anyone that has not yet viewed that episode to go watch it after this.

Today we will study another method of the devil, which he used in his second attempt against our Lord Jesus Christ. And again, we are going to learn how Jesus succeeded. 

Brother Mark: Since the devil was unsuccessful in convincing Jesus to leave God’s teachings, by pointing out the problem he was suffering, Brother Richie, what tactic did the devil immediately switch to?

Brother Richie: Well, let’s go back to what’s recorded in Luke, chapter 4, which is where we started in our last episode. Let’s continue to read from there, but we’ll read now, verse 5 to 7. It says this,

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

[Luke 4:5-7 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Based on what we read, where did the devil take Jesus Christ after failing in his first attempt? We read, “the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain.”

Brother Mark: Brother Richie, what was the point in bringing the Lord Jesus Christ on that high mountain?

Brother Richie: Well, he brought him there because, we read, he “showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.” Now, what did the devil offer our Lord Jesus Christ after showing Him the world? We read, “the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory.’” Now there’s something that we should realize. The devil offers everything in this world.

Brother Mark: But, Brother Richie, what he cannot offer is salvation and eternal life. 

Brother Richie: That’s correct. He can offer everything, but that is the one thing he cannot offer—he can’t offer salvation. But in this world, everything he can offer, he can offer everything material, he can offer any temporal thing, that is what he has to offer. Within that, he can offer glory like fame and status. He can offer authority like power and influence.

Brother Mark: And, Brother Richie, a lot of people want those things. 

Brother Richie: That’s true. 

Brother Mark: People are willing to pay a price to have those things. 

Brother Richie: That’s true. Nowadays, that is what people are focused on, right? But we have to understand that just because one receives those things, just because one receives power, glory, or even, let’s say, worldly favor, just because one receives wealth and material gain, it is not automatic. It should not be assumed that that is a blessing from God. 

Brother Mark: Now we want to make clear that material things or wealth in life, per se, are not wrong or evil. But the question is: When do they become evil? Notice the condition that the devil has in order to receive all that the world has to offer. He said, “if You will worship before me,” that’s what the devil said, and if we worshipped him then he would offer us those things.

Brother Richie: So that’s his condition. So we should notice the devil’s condition of worshiping him would actually place him as equal or above God. That’s why, to answer your question, you said those material things, they’re not wrong. When do they become wrong? Material things become wrong, they become evil, when one gives them more importance or places them above God.

Brother Mark: A higher priority than God in their life.

Brother Richie: They start focusing on those things more than God. So now we are able to see the devil’s goal of keeping people—that’s his goal—he wants to keep people away from worshiping God, and he does this by offering them everything else in this world. 

Now, you might be telling yourself, the devil has never offered me these things, and if he did, I’d see right through him and I wouldn’t be tempted.

Brother Mark: Some people feel that way because they feel like the devil never approached them.

Brother Richie: Right. They think he’s going to approach them in the way that they expect it, right? But we see he does have tactics. We know, since the devil is cunning, he’s crafty, he can tempt us in the same way without us even realizing it. That’s why, let’s ask this question, Brother Mark, what do some people, what do they think success looks like? 

Brother Mark: We could read from the Scriptures what some people think success looks like, and also this is the way how the devil might even trick or deceive people. 

Brother Richie: He might present success that way. 

Brother Mark: Yes. So let’s read here in the Book of Psalms, we’ll read 73, we’ll read 3 up to 5 and also verse 8, 

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills…. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

[Psalm 73:3-5, 8 New International Version]

Brother Mark: Here we see how some people feel when witnessing unjust gain, or others who seem to succeed in life but in an unrighteous or in an evil way. What did this servant observe? He said, “I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” And what prosperity was he referring to? He illustrated, “They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.” And what is it that was noticed in these evil people? He continues to notice here in these verses, he said, “They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.” So how did he view these people? He even said, “I envied the arrogant.”  

Brother Richie: We need to understand that just wanting an unjust gain, it puts us in a compromising or vulnerable position. We have to remember that the devil is watchful. He’s observant, and he knows when we are at a weak point. 

Brother Mark: He uses our desires against us.

Brother Richie: That’s right. He’ll know if we want something that’s wrong. So if we aspire material things in the way that goes against God, right, it’s a wicked way, it’s an illegal way, it’s an immoral way, then the devil is going to make it more attractive and actually easily attainable. 

Brother Mark: The world is his to give in order to keep people from obeying and worshiping God. And unfortunately, we see so many casualties or people who fall for this tactic, especially when they’re faced with so many options and possibilities in life. 

Brother Richie: The devil’s method of using material things and unrighteous desires. They crowd in the mind of people to keep them from focusing on God’s will. This is the reason so many say that they don’t have the time to worship God. It is actually because they have placed all things in this world above God. 

Brother Mark: Now, with every option and possibility of life that was offered to the Lord Jesus Christ, how did He handle the devil’s temptation and how did He keep His focus on God? 

Brother Richie: Well, let’s go back to what our Lord Jesus Christ did, since the devil tempted Him with everything. We’ll go back to Luke, chapter 4. We’ll read verse 8 now. It says, 

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.”

[Luke 4:8 New King James Version]

Brother Richie: Notice what Christ used to guide His response. He used what is written. Christ wasn’t guided by His emotions, His intellect, or His own sense of right and wrong. Instead, when the devil tried to influence Jesus to worship him rather than God, even tried to bribe Him with power and glory, our Lord Jesus Christ simply referred to what is written. 

Brother Mark: What written word of God guided Christ to keep the proper understanding of what or who should be the top priority in life? 

Brother Richie: Well, our Lord Jesus Christ simply said, He said, “For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Therefore, the devil was unsuccessful in using the things of the world to tempt Christ to place anyone or anything above God. 

Brother Mark: Have you faced something similar? Maybe you weren’t offered all the influence and fame in the world, but sometimes it’s as simple as a little bit of success. Maybe a promotion at work, acceptance to a prestigious school, or maybe simply to be accepted or liked by some people. You know, Brother Richie, some people, especially our younger viewers, our friends, sometimes they get so tempted by having their friends like them, they’re willing to do evil things. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. 

Brother Mark: But however, this might come at the cost of missing worship service, or doing something against God, something that would make Him angry. So if we’re faced with these scenarios, let’s follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ of following the guidance of what is written.

Brother Richie: Now, we should understand, why did our Lord Jesus Christ, why did He not want all the things of the world if it meant not worshiping God? What should we understand about those who they seem to prosper, but they gain it in a wrong way? Because we know, Brother Mark, there are people that say, “by any means possible,” right? “That’s my focus. That’s my goal. I want to get it by any means possible.” What would happen if that’s the case? 

Brother Mark: Some people might even say, “Oh, that’s a small price to pay in order to get success.” What they think is successful.

Brother Richie: Right, because that’s what they think. That’s what they think is important. That’s what they need to get.

Brother Mark: And just like the Bible verse that we read earlier, some people see those that are wicked and it seems like they’re prosperous. But if we understand this biblical teaching, we’ll learn what the Bible says when it comes to that kind of thinking. Let’s read here in the Book of Psalms, 37, we’ll read 1 up to verse 2,

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

[Psalm 37:1-2 New International Version]

Brother Mark: Here we learn a biblical instruction. What is that? We learned, “Do not … be envious of those who do wrong.” Why? What will happen to them? We read, the Bible told us here, “they will soon die away.” 

Brother Richie: Okay. Just a moment, Brother Mark. If that’s the consequence, right, if you do wrong, don’t envy them because they’re going to die. Some people will think, “We’re going to die anyway.” You know, if someone thinks, “We’re all going to die eventually. Wouldn’t it be better to have plenty while we live?” 

Now, if we adopt this mindset, that life is simply about this material world and nothing more, how would we end up? What is inevitable if we choose to fall into the temptation of the devil to take the material and temporal things of this world as our actual purpose in life? Because there are those that think that, “I was born to do this, to be this, to gain this.” If that becomes a person’s purpose in life, what would eventually happen to them? 

Brother Mark: If that’s all that they think about and they’re willing to pay, in their mind it’s a small price to pay to disobey the Lord God, let’s learn what the Bible tells us is the outcome of those kinds of choices. We’ll read that here in the Book of Hebrews. We’ll read Hebrews, 10, then we’ll read verse 27,

Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God!

[Hebrews 10:27 Today’s English Version]

Brother Mark: Since God is the one that created us, He has a purpose for giving us life. But here we learned that there are those who oppose God instead. 

Brother Richie: You know, that’s actually something very important to understand, because God has a purpose for us. So if we come up with our own purpose, there’s something happening there. We’re already going the wrong way.

Brother Mark: Opposing God.

Brother Richie:  And if one opposes, right, if one opposes the purpose of God, whether it be due to ignorance, not even learning or understanding God’s purpose of creating us, or because they have learned that and they refuse to submit and follow God’s will, what is the outcome of that? We’re learning if you oppose God, if that’s what you’re doing, what will eventually happen? 

Brother Mark: The Bible told us here, “all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment.” What is God’s verdict or judgment for those that side with His enemy, they choose to oppose Him, they choose to oppose God instead? The Bible taught us here, “fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God!” 

Brother Richie: Brother Mark, what is the fire being mentioned there in the verse that you read, which is also the death that was mentioned earlier for those who do wrong? Because we did say, well, everyone is going to die. 

Brother Mark: Yeah, that’s a question that some people think. 

Brother Richie: But now we are understanding that this death that is being referred to, they’re going to be punished by this fire. What are those? What’s that fire, and what’s that death?

Brother Mark: Let’s read what that fire and which death is being referred to here. We’ll read that in the Book of Revelation, we’ll read 20, we’ll read 14 and also 10,

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

[Revelation 20:14, 10 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: Here we learned about the fire which will destroy those who oppose God, and that is “the lake of fire.” This is, the Bible told us here, “This is the second death,” and this is also the death that was mentioned for those that do wrong. 

Brother Richie: So it is the second death, because it’s not like the first death that we know and witness happening in this life. This second death is experienced, as we read, in “the lake of fire.” Brother Mark, how long is that? How long is that sentence for doing what’s wrong? 

Brother Mark: Earlier we said that some people think, “Oh, it’s a small price to pay,” in order to have what they want in this world. But notice—it’s not a small price. 

Brother Richie: Not at all.

Brother Mark: The Bible told us here, “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” 

Brother Richie: Now we understand why the Bible teaches us, do not be envious of those that do wrong.

Brother Mark: And hopefully none of our viewers are jealous or envious anymore of those who do wrong. 

Brother Richie: Hopefully not, now that they know. And now we actually understand why our Lord Jesus Christ did not want all the things of this world if attained the wrong way.

Brother Mark: Are receiving material things or worldly possessions, and prioritizing and worshiping God an either or situation? Because some people might feel like, oh, they have to choose now. But what would God do if we always consider Him as our top priority, in the same way that the Lord Jesus Christ considered God as His top priority? 

Brother Richie: That’s a really good question, Brother Mark. You know, some listening now, they might think, “Well, are those my choices,” you know “getting material gain, getting what I need in this world, or focusing on God?”

Brother Mark: Yes. They feel like they can’t have both. 

Brother Richie: They can’t have both, right? They think, “Well, it’s one or the other.” But let’s find out if that’s true. We’ll read what is written in the Book of Psalms, chapter 145:18 to 20. And it says this,

The Lord is ready to help all those who call out to him. He helps those who really mean it when they call out to him. He satisfies the needs of those who have respect for him. He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all those who love him…

[Psalm 145:18-20 New International Reader’s Version]

Brother Richie: Here we can see that receiving material things that we need in life, it’s not a loss if we love and respect God first. So to answer your question, Brother Mark, it’s not an either or thing. 

Brother Mark: We don’t have to choose between the two.

Brother Richie: No, not at all. Because what is the biblical truth we just learned? We read, “The Lord watches over all those who love him.” I was going to ask you, Brother Mark, because if He’s going to watch over those who love Him, who are those that love Him?

Brother Mark: The ones that love Him, according to I John 5:3, are those that obey His commandments. 

Brother Richie: Thank you, Brother Mark. So those that love God, they obey His commands. So how is it that God protects them? How is it that God watches over those that love Him and obey Him, those that they really focus on God, not on material things? We read that, “He hears their cry and saves them.” Now how above the things that they need in life, because that’s what we were talking about, those material things? We read, the Bible taught us, “He satisfies the needs of those who have respect for him.” 

Therefore, it is not an either or thing, Brother Mark. It’s not choose one or the other. If one really does focus on God, they focus on worshiping and serving Him, not on the material things of this world, the outcome is not a loss of wealth and blessings, but rather receiving those things—but from God. 

Brother Mark: So our viewers have a decision to make, the decision of whether or not they’ll receive wealth and prosperity from the devil by doing what’s wrong,…

Brother Richie: Right. They might try to just do it their own way, follow the temptation or take the offer of the devil. 

Brother Mark: …that’s one way. Or they can make the decision to get that wealth and that prosperity from God—by obeying His commandments. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. 

Brother Mark: So we’ll ask this question, Brother Richie, what’s the major difference? What’s the major difference in obtaining blessings and prosperity from God as opposed to gathering wealth on our own, or even worse, obtaining it from our enemy, the devil?

Brother Richie: That’s another good question, Brother Mark, because some might think, “If the end result really is just getting what we need, is just getting material things, well, what does it matter where it comes from? What’s the major difference?” We’ll read from what’s written here in Proverbs, chapter 10, and the verse is 22,

“The Lord’s blessing brings wealth, and no sorrow [trouble] comes with it.”

[Proverbs 10:22 Expanded Bible]

Brother Richie: This is why receiving blessings and wealth from God is better than any other way. The Bible teaches that “no sorrow [trouble] comes with it”, comes with God’s blessings. And we see that, Brother Mark. There are so many people in this world, they’re wealthy. They have more wealth than they know what to do with—and they’re full of problems.

Brother Mark: Some people get so sick that all of their wealth has to be spent on their health. 

Brother Richie: Imagine that? They have acquired all this wealth, but it comes with sorrow and problems. But we should also understand that God actually wants to bless us materially. In fact, not only that, God wants to bless us in every way.

Brother Mark: So why doesn’t God do this for everyone then? 

Brother Richie: Oh, you’re right. If God has that ability to bless everyone, that is a good question. Why doesn’t He do it? There are many people who, we have to understand, they can’t handle it. They’re not able to properly handle abundant wealth that comes from God. 

Brother Mark: Some people might say, well, “Is this true? Is there proof that I can’t handle any kind of material wealth?”

Brother Richie: Let’s read. Let’s find out what is recorded in Deuteronomy, we’ll read chapter 8, verse[s]12 to 14, and then we’ll even read verse 11. It says, 

When you have all you want to eat and have built good houses to live in and when your cattle and sheep, your silver and gold, and all your other possessions have increased, be sure that you do not become proud and forget the LORD your God… “Make certain that you do not forget the LORD your God; do not fail to obey any of his laws that I am giving you today.

[Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 11 Good News Translation]

Brother Richie: Based on what we read, there were those that received many blessings from God. But what was the problem? They had the tendency, as we read, to “become proud.”

Brother Mark: That’s why they became proud. But some of our viewers might be wondering, “What does that mean that they became proud? How is it that they became proud?”

Brother Richie: Well, just like what we read, it said that they “[forgot] the LORD [their] God.” 

Brother Mark: Forgot Him.

Brother Richie: They forgot Him. So this is the reason why God gives a warning to those who have been blessed. What is the warning? We read, “When you have all you want to eat and have built good houses to live in … your silver and gold, and all your other possessions have increased,” what is the warning or instruction? It says, “be sure that you do not become proud and forget the LORD your God.” How can we be certain to do this, to not forget God? We read, “do not forget … to obey any of his laws.”

Brother Mark: The risk or danger of forgetting God, when we receive wealth and everything we need, that’s what our enemy will try to exploit. 

Brother Richie: Exactly. So instead of forgetting God and failing to obey His laws, when we receive His blessings, we should all the more remember God by thanking Him, devotedly worshiping Him, and obeying His laws. And if we obey God’s law, if that is what we focus on despite all the distractions of the world around us, what blessing would we receive, which is actually greater, Brother Mark, greater than anything that this world can offer? If we focus on the right thing, what blessing would God give us? 

Brother Mark: The Lord God could give us something that the devil will never be able to offer us. Let’s read that here in the Book of I Timothy, we’ll read 6:18 up to 19,

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

[I Timothy 6:18-19 New King James Version]

Brother Mark: What does true success look like? Here we are taught where to focus and strive and be rich in? Where is that? We read, “be rich in good works.” Good works are doing God’s laws and commands, according to Romans 7:12. And what is the blessing we would be working for that is greater than anything the devil can offer? The Bible teaches that those “rich in good works” would be “storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Brother Richie: So material and temporal things, those cannot compare to the blessings of eternal life. Attaining eternal life is the reward for properly living in this temporary life we have now. This is what we hope and pray for for all those watching. Remember, only God—through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ—can offer salvation or eternal life. This is what the devil cannot offer, and he will try to keep ruining our relationship with God by offering us alternatives to the blessings that come from obeying God’s teachings.

May we all follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and hold on tight to God’s words written in the Bible.

Brother Mark: All around the world, many are walking the same path as you, learning the true faith taught in the Church Of Christ. To inspire you further on your spiritual journey, let’s hear from Felipe as he shares his experience on Stories of Faith. 

Take a moment to watch this short clip:

[Video source: https://incmedia.org/spiritual-stability/] 

Brother Mark: We hope this video inspires and encourages you to keep learning more of God’s written words taught here inside the Church Of Christ. Come visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible. 

Brother Richie: Now, if you’re going through those lessons or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, we hope that the message that you heard today has brought you closer to God and deepened your understanding of His truth taught to you here inside the Church Of Christ.

On behalf of all of us here at The Message, we’re very grateful for you joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Mark: Our Father in heaven, thank You very much, we were able to receive Your holy words. Now we are all the more ready to face our enemy, because You are the One who continues to prepare us. 

We pray, Father, that all of us who have received Your words, please help us to stand our ground in obedience. May we always remember Your words that are written in the Holy Scriptures, for us to be able to win our fight against the enemy. 

Our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, thank You that You left us a wonderful example. Help us, Lord Jesus, to be able to stand our ground like You. And in the moments of our weakness, please be the One to give us strength. May we defeat the devil the same way that You did, and may You keep us safe inside of Your holy Church. 

Father in heaven, if there are any concerns or cares that we have in this life, may You be the One to bless Your people. May You be the One to give us everything that we need, and we promise we will always remember Your holy teachings. We will not become proud. We will not forget You, Lord God. We will always submit to Your holy will in heaven. 

Please always bless those who lead and guide us, especially our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo. Please bless with him Brother Angelo Eraño Manalo, for the sake of our salvation.

Thank You, Father, for listening to our prayer. We pray these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen. 

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