The powerful message behind “Sixteen Tons” is that just as the coal miners were held in lifetime bondage through debt to their the coal mining companies, we are enslaved through debt to the governmental and economic system in which we live. It controls everything we do and even our choices.
The government shutdown was a distraction
The government shutdown gave the appearance that the Democratic Party was fighting for Medicare subsidies. The truth is that the decision not to fund Medicare was already made before the government shutdown. The government down gave the illusion that a fight way made for healthcare subsidies.
Resources are being pulled out of the system
Resources are being sucked out of the economy into the hands of the wealthy.
Proverbs 22:7, the rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant zo the lender.”
Those who borrow come under the control of those who lend to them. The borrower gave up their future resources by borrowing now to pay later. The borrower pays to be part of the system.
The president stated that trillions of dollars are being generated for the government through tariffs. The truth is, tariffs are a tax on the people. Price increases are causing a cash outflow in many quarters of society, funneling money into the coffers of the government and the wealthy who control the majority of the wealth.
A Different Perspective
The Bible states that the Pharisees were attempting to find a reason to trap Jesus in his words. They ask him whether it was lawful to pay taxes. Jesus responded by asking for a coin, noting it had the image of Caesar on it. This was a complicated issue for Jesus. Either way, yes or no, Jesus was coming against powerful political forces. If he said yes, then the Pharisees would accuse him of siding with the oppressor of the Jewish people. If he said no, they would accuse him of income tax evasion.
Jesus responded, ‘Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.’ Give to God what belongs to God.
The Kingdom of God
God’s government is perfect. God’s system is perfect. In Genesis 1:31, God certified that everything that was made was very good. The created order is perfect. It produces 30, 60, or 100 times more. The problem is, we have been deceived into using debt instead of seed. We have been educated to operate in a capitalist system in place of the kingdom of God.
They are not of this world system
There is a powerful prayer in John 17, particularly verses 16 & 17, that Jesus prayed for his disciples. He said, ‘They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world; keep them from evil.’ What did he mean? Jesus lived in the world but operated independently of its systems. For example, he fed seven thousand people from two fish and five loaves of bread. He healed all those who came to him for help.
Colossians 1:12, We have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
You can not serve God and money
Jesus created the system. All things were created by him and for him, Colossians 1:15-19,
Jesus created the spiritual and natural order of things (John 1:1-4). In him is life (an infinite power source on an unimaginable scale)
The Word was made flesh (John 1:14)
He is the Word of Life (1 John 1:1-5), the message and messenger of life
Jesus taught that you cannot serve both God and money. For you, either love one and hate the other. Or you hold to one and despise the other. There are a lot of people who love God, but they are enslaved to money.
For the love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Timothy 6:10.
Jesus said,
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
The question is not about being a responsible steward over the resources entrusted to you. It is biblical to have a savings account and save toward retirement. The question is, what do you treasure? What do you worship? What do you obey? Who do you follow?
The kingdom of God
In Luke 12:31-34, Jesus said, ‘Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your is, there will your heart be also.”
It is the kingdom of God that is the treasure. It is learning how the kingdom operates. Jesus said, ‘Sell that which you have. Give and be a blessing to others. You will have treasure in heaven. Those treasures are not limited to finance. It includes healing, deliverance, mercy, right standing with God, grace and the gift of life among other benefits.
Grace & peace!
Join me for more content on Secrets from the Garden of Eden, God’s Blueprint for Eternal Life, on Wednesdays at 7pm and most Sundays at 11am, Gotomeeting.com
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