The Apatē of Ploutous (Escaping the Trap of the Greediness) - 1
The deception of riches
You may ask, is ploutous
(riches) a deception? Well, keep reading because I’m about to unveil
uncommon truths that will transform your life. As we know, rich people “enjoy”
life. We can provide for our basic needs and wants if we have money and the
necessary resources.
What can’t money do? Money
can do “anything” and “everything.” “Everybody” needs money. We use money to
transact business. Money can solve many problems—talk of spiritual, social, psychological,
digital, emotional, and physical issues.
Money can deal with these
sectors. We can use the money to do great crusades. We can use the money to
build large auditoriums. We can use money to build better roads. The problem of
hunger will cease if we use money wisely. We can travel around the world and
discover many things with money.
Money is a great asset
because it’s the currency of the world. One reason evil prevails is because of
poverty. Evil grows because some rich people sponsor bad activities with money.
Money is a tool. How you use money determines your character. Money in the
hands of a righteous person becomes good. Money in the hands of a wicked person
becomes evil.
Like a knife, one can use
it to slice yam and cook the yam. Another person can use a knife to harm
somebody. The knife is just a tool. The person who uses the knife determines its
nature. Just like a knife is a tool, money is also a tool. Money is important
because it does many things. To buy an asset, you need money.
Power rests in the hands
of money. It is said that money can control the leadership and growth of
countries, organizations, and institutions. Money has great power. Almost
everything we do demands money.
To marry, you need money
because you have to pay the bride price and provide for the family. To build a
business, you need money as a start-up capital. You need money to settle fees
to acquire a certificate in a formal institution.
To travel around the
world, you need money for transportation. To do crusades and evangelize in far
places, you need money. To diversify your business, you need money. To keep the
Church moving, you need money. To maintain a product or service, you need
money. To look healthy, you need money.
Almost everything requires
money. However, there are some things money cannot do. Money is great. However,
it has limitations. In the book of Matthew, chapter thirteen, verse twenty-two,
Christ Jesus made a profound statement about riches (money). Let’s read.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the
word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke
the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 KJV
I want to emphasize the deceitfulness
(apatē) of riches because it’s a profound statement. Christ Jesus
stated that riches (money) can choke the word of God. The desire to get the
things of this world by any means can limit the seeds of God’s word in our
lives. Extreme desire for money can make us unfruitful in our spiritual lives.
Have you observed that
most developed countries have little or no interest in God, especially
Christianity? One reason is that they have allowed the deceitfulness of riches
(the apatē of ploutous) to choke the word of God.
Most Churches in
developed countries are closing down. Christians in developed countries decline
daily because the system has allowed the apatē of ploutous to dominate.
Christianity is gradually fading in most developed countries while strange
religious groups and false doctrines are prevailing.
The deceitfulness of riches
can block the word of God from growing in our lives. It can make way for the
devil and his minions to control an environment. Because the word of God has
died in most developed countries, evil prevails.
The love of money can
make the word of God useless. I will shed more light on this truth, so keep
reading. As stated, money can do many things. As a matter of fact, the Holy
Bible states that money answers all things.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money
answereth all things.
Ecclesiastes 10:19 KJV
These are the words of
King Solomon. The wise man states that money answers all things. However, before
we conclude this Holy Scripture, we have to study the Holy Scripture
objectively and subjectively.
Money, indeed, answers "all
things." However, if we study Ecclesiastes chapter ten, verse nineteen subjectively,
money has limitations. Objectively, money can buy food, water, shelter,
security, health, and joy.
However, if we analyze
the lives of the rich, we see that most of them have severe and several problems.
Some rich people commit suicide and engage in heinous crimes. The suicide rate
in most developed countries is alarming. You would think citizens in developed
countries have everything.
However, most of them commit
suicide. If money can solve all problems, why do some rich people commit suicide
and suffer in silence? It’s an issue we must not ignore. Christ Jesus stated
that riches can deceive. Maybe I should state that Holy Scripture.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the
word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke
the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 KJV
I hope you have studied
the words of Christ Jesus. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords said, “The
deceitfulness of riches will choke the word.” As I studied Matthew
chapter thirteen, verse twenty-two, and its coordinating Holy Scriptures, I
felt the Holy Spirit telling me to write on this topic (the deceitfulness of
riches).
Money is great. However,
it can deceive. Do you know the number of rich people struggling? They have the
money to buy whatever they need. However, they have no peace. Some rich people have
trust issues.
They cannot trust anyone because
they don’t know whether people come into their lives for their money or the people
who come into their lives love them. Some rich people have no time for family
and real friends because they are constantly engaged in a business deal.
They have no time to care
for their children. Because of that, strangers take care of their children.
When the children miss the emotional bonds with their rich parents, it creates
psychological, spiritual, and social problems.
Some children even become
vagabonds because of no relationship with their rich parents. The only time
these rich people get the time for their children is on weekends. Even for
that, the rich parents come home when the children are asleep.
The rich parents have
become slaves to work. Get me right. I love work. I don’t entertain laziness.
However, some rich people are overworked and spend no quality time with their
families. Because of the emotional detachment most rich people have with their
family and friends, hatred and resentment dominate.
In most cases, children
of rich people have improper parental upbringing. Because of that, the children
cannot relate appropriately with others. Most rich people face extreme hatred
and destructive criticism in their neighborhoods.
With the rise of the internet
and social media applications, scams, fraud, and false information destroy the
image of most rich people. It’s a burden most rich people carry. They must
endure destructive criticism, false accusations, character assassination, jealousy,
slander, and persecution from wicked enemies and ignorant people.
Most rich people go through
severe medical challenges because of stress, depression, and pressure. Do you know
that most rich people cannot eat certain foods? They have the money to buy any
food.
However, they cannot
enjoy their favorite meal! Doctors and dieticians determine the food most rich
people eat. What is the use of money if you cannot eat your favorite food and
drink your favorite juice?
Some rich people only
drink a cup of water and eat a tiny bowl of rice because of their health issues.
They are told to eat at specific times and days. Some even have to fast for
hours before eating.
Most rich people take
many drugs daily before sleeping. Most rich people cannot eat solid food in
their lifetime. They only eat watery food. Some rich people are forced to eat
only vegetables. They cannot eat meat, rice, beans, yam, sugary foods, banku, ampesi,
konkonte, or fufu.
They only eat babies’
food! Aside from the baby food, they cannot eat any food and drink delicious
juice. That is the deceitfulness of riches. Some rich people cannot sleep
because they are afraid criminals will break into their houses and businesses
to steal, destroy, and kill them.
Because of this mindset,
they have no peace and joy. What is the use of money if there is no peace? Some
rich people constantly think about their business and assets and which place to
invest.
It has become a burden. They
don’t know who to entrust their money and resources. Some rich people face
pressure from family members. Family members and friends demand money daily for
school fees, business, medical bills, and debts.
Some rich people fear their
security personnels and enemies will kill them and their families, so they
cannot sleep. They have big houses with many dogs and security systems.
However, they have no peace.
Loneliness is killing
most rich people because they find it difficult to identify with people. Most
rich people live in empty big houses where no one encourages them. They often don’t
even have time to live in their mansions. They are always traveling!
Most rich people employ
lawyers, accountants, and experts to settle cases. These professionals take
huge sums of money for their services. Most rich people pay huge taxes and
bribe higher authorities to maintain their business and assets.
Some, too, are forced to
maintain the status quo. Most rich people spend huge sums of their money on
medical bills. Some rich people have no time and energy to spend their money.
They are like slaves.
Sycophants surround most
rich people. They are there because of what they can get. Most rich people
cannot live an everyday life like ordinary people. They cannot walk openly in
certain streets.
They cannot have fun with
certain people. They cannot reveal their real selves because they have become “public
figures.” The society expects them to live a certain way. These rich people are
expected to wear specific dresses, drive certain cars, and maintain the social
lifestyle suggested by society and sycophants.
In other words, most rich
people live by the dictates of society and sycophants. They are like slaves to
the people. In a nutshell, these are deceitfulness of riches. Acquiring money
the right way is great.
However, using a
deceptive way to get rich increases the apatē of ploutous. Money is not
evil. How you get and use the money determines whether it is good or evil. Let’s
dive into the Holy Scriptures for more wisdom keys.
The emptiness of money
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain
we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1
Timothy 6:7-11 KJV
Apostle Paul wrote to
Timothy that we came into this world with nothing and shall leave it with
nothing. Paul was talking about physical things. We did not come into this
world with trillions of money.
Neither did we come from
our mother’s womb with houses, cars, jet planes, and money. We came empty-handed-handed,
and we shall leave empty-handed. Apostle Paul further states that those who
want to be rich fall into temptation and snares.
He further stated that
some fall into foolish and lustful traps, which draw them into destruction and perdition.
Acquiring money in the right and legal way is not evil. A few rich people enjoy
their money. Some rich people even use their money to support the Church, poor
people, and gifted people who are financially weak.
I firmly believe there
will be no hunger if the rich people distribute money and resources into the
right hands and organizations. Just analyze the billions and trillions of funds
some nations and organizations spend on war and security.
They use these funds to produce
guns, bombs, military cars, jets, strange weapons, and unnecessary security
systems. This money could be used to feed people experiencing poverty. We can
use those funds to create a permanent structure and system to eradicate poverty
and hunger.
However, greediness and the
desire for power have made some people use money badly. Do you know that some people
have become criminals because of the lust and lack of money? The money that should
have been used to build ultra-modern hospitals, cathedrals, roads, schools,
libraries, businesses, and strong systems has been mismanaged by wicked and
greedy people.
Some people have become
prostitutes and womanizers because of the love of money. I mean, people have become
sex workers because of greediness. Apostle Paul states that people have fallen
into the enemy's den because of the love of money (see 1 Timothy 6:7-11).
Some people have become
gay, lesbians, and ritual killers because of money. When we allow money to
dominate our minds, we open the door for the enemy to control us. Some people don’t
care about killing their family and friends for money. That is greediness. As
Paul states, the love of money is the root of evil.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV
Some people have
backslidden because of greediness. Some people have given up on Christianity because
of money. Some people have attracted deadly and incurable diseases of money.
Some people have become
insane because of the love of money. Some people are in prison because of the
love of money. Some people have received curses because of greediness (the love
of money).
Some people have died
prematurely because of money. As stated, money is great. I am not writing this
article to devalue money. As a matter of fact, I need money. I believe you also
need money.
In fact, “everybody”
needs money. However, we must not allow the love of money to destroy us. Families
are breaking apart because of the love of money. The husband has no time for
the wife and children because of money.
Some wives, too, have no
time for their husbands and children because they love money. Some people come home
late in the night to meet their family asleep. If you ask the husband or the one
providing for the family, they will defend themselves by saying that they are working
for money and using that money to support the family.
What a tragedy and a rat race! Some people even work in developed countries as second-class
citizens because of money. They work like slaves in developed countries because
of the love of money.
Some people can do
anything and everything for money. They don’t care about eating feces, sleeping
with mad people, and resting in the casket and cemetery for several days to get
money. All they want is money, and nothing can stop them!
Some people perform
strange rituals in shrines and cemeteries to get money. Some people kill their
children, parents, and loved ones in the spirit to get money. Some people even
sell human parts to get money.
Some people destroy the reputation
of innocent people because of money. Some people sell their citizens and trusted
allies because of money. Some people sell the future of unborn children because
of money. As Paul states, you will fall into the enemy's trap if you love money
(see 1 Timothy 6:7-11).
Greediness is one of the
key reasons why many countries and communities swim in poverty. The leaders who
are supposed to use the money to create profitable facilities for the citizens
use the funds for their gain.
Because of this wicked
mindset and hardened heart, most greedy leaders have no peace. They may pretend
to have peace. However, they suffer in their chambers. The innocent blood cries
unto God for vengeance.
Many people are single
because of the love of money. Most single women want rich men to marry them. They
don’t want to start life with a man who isn’t financially stable. Because of
that, most ladies sleep around with married men and evil rich people.
Some even sleep with
animals to get money! Be content if you have the money to buy food, water, and
a safe place to rest. However, if the Holy Spirit tells you to work hard to
support others, do it correctly.
Do not use a bad way to
acquire money, or you will weep in your chambers (meditate on 1 Timothy 6:7- 11).
You may use a deceptive way to get money. However, you cannot spend it wisely.
You will use that money for medical bills. Strangers will spend that money if
you acquire it evilly.
The heart and the seed of riches
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches
increase, set not your heart upon them.
Psalms 62:10 KJV
As the Psalmist states, don’t
attach your heart to money. You can get a heart attack if you put all your
trust in money. Some rich people have nothing to show except their money. They
worship money like God Almighty.
These rich people see you
as nobody if you don’t have money. They have no respect for financially weak
people. If you put your trust in your money, it can betray you. Money is good.
However, don’t put all your trust in it.
Money can make you proud,
disobedient, arrogant, evil, and strange. If you allow money to control you, you
will become a tyrant. Money has a way of controlling people. You have to
dominate money. Don’t allow money to control you. If you allow money to control
you, you will become abnormal.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall
flourish as a branch.
Proverbs 11:28 KJV
Don't put your faith in money if you don’t want to fall. The cars, mansions,
jet planes, and assets can perish. You can fall if these temporal things get
destroyed because your heart is in those things.
Do you know that some rich people get heart attacks and die because
they lost their money (assets)? You can have money and not be wealthy. Riches
are in levels. Wealth, riches, and worth are different. You can be wealthy.
However, you may not have the tangible resources. Money can be tangible
and intangible. Some people have material assets and money. However, they are
not wealthy. Some people, too, are worthy.
However, they are not rich. Being rich means you have tangible or
physical money. It’s another level of riches. Being wealthy means you don’t have
physical resources. However, you have intangible resources that can be
converted to physical cash. I will write more on wealth, worth, and riches soon.
Let’s stay on the topic (the deceitfulness of riches).
The vapor of riches
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches
certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5 KJV
The Holy Bible states that we should not labor to be rich. This does
not mean we shouldn’t work. There is a difference between labor and work. Some
people spend the whole day and night working on a particular job.
That’s labor. Labor means sacrificing your time, energy, and resources
on a particular task. You are like a slave to that task. As stated, some rich people
spend their entire lives laboring. They don’t have time for family and friends.
Some even don’t have time for their wellbeing. Some people have about
ten jobs a day. They work two hours on Job A, then two hours on Job B, then
three hours on Job C, then one hour on Job D, then two hours on Job E.
The list goes on. Such people have no resting time. I can state that such
people are laboring to be rich. Labor has no time for God, family, and friends.
You are like a slave to the employer. The employer uses you as he wants.
To labor means you have no freedom. Some people have no freedom because
they want to be rich. Any activity that takes your time, resources, and energy
that should have been channeled to do God’s work is labor.
The Holy Bible states that riches can fly away because they have wings.
Like money, thieves can break in to steal it. Like mansions and cars, a fire or
a natural disaster can destroy them within a minute. You must understand that
riches on this earth are not eternal. They have an expiry date. We shall leave
them behind when we die.
The tragedy of riches
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he
hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour;
neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do
I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is
a sore travail.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 KJV
Some people labor all their lives. They don’t sit down to analyze their
work. Who will inherit my assets and business? Who will manage the business I
have established? Who am I working for? Why am I working on this business? What
impact is the business making?
The saddest part of the issue is that they don’t even have children and
true friends to take over what they are doing. However, they keep working! That’s
the deceitfulness of riches. There used to be a big company that made huge profits.
The company had numerous employees, assets, and resources. However,
when the owner of the company died, the company started to diminish. Within a
few months, the company closed down. The employees in the company became jobless.
That is how the company died with the owner. The owner of the company
did not think about the future. He did not ask himself who will take over when
I die. He never asked who I was working for.
Sadly, many people are in the same lane. They work day and night. These
rich people have never thought about their death. They don’t understand the
systems of the world and the spiritual realm.
They have no thought about the company's continuity when they are no longer
there. This is vain (the deceitfulness of riches). Money is good. However, life
is greater than money. Money is a mystery. It works with laws, principles, and
systems. I will continue in the next article. Kindly share the link to this article to save a life.
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