By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Revelation 3:16-18 "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked… " - NIV
The church in Laodecia was lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Jesus detested that and was to spit them out, wishing they were either hot or cold. They were double dealing, neither fully in God nor fully in the world. They told themselves that they were rich and needed nothing anymore. They mistook material wealth for spiritual wealth as well. Blinded by that, they completely lost track of how God saw them, as wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked!
They thought they had arrived on the basis of wealth. As they prospered materially, they became poor in relation to God. The prosperity gospel risks reducing riches towards God to materialism. Eventually, people edge God out or ‘use’ Him as a cover to attain what they want and yet out of touch with Him. That’s a dangerous state which the enemy rides on to keep people in a form of religion and yet without God. It gives false hope and assurance.
A lukewarm state of relationship with God leads to this. Let it again be clear that true riches is in good relationship with God. Material wealth is good and has its place, but should never be used as a measure of spiritual health too. The Laodiceans thought they were rich, but God saw that they were in very bad shape. What would He say of your state before Him? Beware of the deception of wealth and danger of arrival in it!
Psalm 62:10 "Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them."
Luke 12:15 "Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Shalom children of God.