Thought of the Day - A Pot of Deadly Stew

Why Are We Bothered With Troubles? (3)
A Pot of Deadly Stew
2 Timothy 3:1 – 7

As I watched some of the news today it became even more apparent that we, as a nation, are falling fast into the pot. The pot I’m referring to is found in 2 Kings 4:40, where Elisha came into Gigal where there was a famine in the land. He told them to boil up a pot of herbs, wild vine, and wild gourds. As these sons of prophets were eating it they cried out, “O thou man of God, there is death in the pot.” Many might say, ‘well that pot brought forth death.’ So are the sins, which are mentioned in this passage of 2 Timothy. James said, “and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:15. Paul very carefully shows us that the perilous times are a stew of many things, which equal to a huge pot of SIN. The word ‘for’ can be translated as ‘because’ in verse two. There should have possibly been a semicolon or comma after the word ‘come’ in verse 1. The pot that these people were eating out of in 2 Kings was causing a serious perilous time. However, Elisha had the answer, just as Christ has the answer for this pot we are building up in America and the whole world.
We’ve covered the men who shall be lovers of their own selves. Verse 2 says, “For (because) men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and then the list continues. There is an old song about keeping up with Jones’. In the lyrics it reads, “we have a four car garage, and we’re still adding on”. Now, I know most of who will read this knows the song. But, this particular sentence describes most Americans today. We want to keep up with the Jones’. I know one set of Jones’ who will probably read this and think, ‘well it won’t take much to keep up with us.’ The point is if the Smiths build a 250,000 dollar home, we want it. However, we want to out do them, and build a 260,000 dollar home, and add a pool. The definition of coveting is, wanting something so bad that you will make every effort to get it. The actual word in the Greek for the word ‘covetous’ is philarguros, means fond of money. Uh oh, you mean that this particular verse means that men will become fond of money too? Look at what has happened in America alone! Remember what happened to Wall Street? How executives come out with millions of dollars and retired people who had money saved lost most, if not all, their savings? Does the word, ‘recession’ mean anything?
So, let’s read this scripture how it means to this point; “Because men will be lovers of their own selves, and be in love with money.” I know that is not KJV, but that is what it means. This particular part reminds me of a young man coming to Jesus and asking Him a very important question. The accounting is shown in Matthew 19:16 – 24; Mark 10:17 – 23: Luke 18:18 – 25. He asked Jesus, “What good thing can I do, that I may have eternal life?” This man was rich! He had all he needed and could usually buy anything he wanted. Guess what?!?! He could not buy eternal life! Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He told Jesus that he had kept the commandments from his youth. He said, “Now that I’ve done this, what do I lack?” Jesus said, (Layman terms) “Okay, well if you want to be perfect sell all you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come follow me.” Now, let’s look at the contrast here. Jesus told the disciples, “Follow Me,” and they dropped their lively hoods and followed Jesus. Today, there is not anyone, in America, who would truly give up everything to follow Jesus. This rich young ruler would not give up his money, because it was more than he thought he had to do. He actually thought he could buy his way to heaven. His riches were so important to him, that if he lost them he would have been like many people who lost the money in Wall Street in the great depression. He would have killed himself. He was used to a lavish lifestyle that he didn’t want to give up for anyone.
Jesus went on to tell the disciples, “It is easier for the camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” (vs.24). Most people today are not this rich, but there are a whole bunch of us that are not willing to give up anything for Christ. The pot of sin, as I call it, has started with money. I guess that is why Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10, “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.” It doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil. It’s says the love of money is the root of all evil. Everything in this old world revolves around money! Nothing is free! Salvation was not free either. Jesus paid for it with HIS life.
This description of perilous times that Paul is talking about has been happening for a while. We are lovers of our own selves; we do love money. The reason we love money is because it empowers us to do what we want. It’s all about self. Some even do what they can to make more and more and more of it. A rich person is never satisfied, if they have not allowed God to lead them with their money. They are always looking for ways to make their money grow. It becomes a god or idol in their lives. That’s why Jesus said, in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve to masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon actually means money.
The perilous times show that man has lost focus upon the Lord. Our priorities are in the wrong place and, in our minds God is only there when we think we need Him. Truth is HE is always there. We just choose to ignore Him, and since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, there are usually only perilous times in our lives. To have peace in our lives and nation, we must first allow Jesus to be the Prince of Peace in our lives. Many saved people have lost that focus and need to return to Him. Lost people will never have peace in their lives without Him.