July 12, 2004
(ML #3499‚ GN 1086)
FD/MM/FM June 2004
(ML #3197:109-111, GN 803)
J. Share their material belongings with the Family in general, and with their resident Home in particular, according to Acts 2:44-45, and be good stewards of all Family materials.
109. (Peter:) Unfortunately, one serious problem that has come about since the Charter has been the drift toward more selfishness‚ with many people just looking out for themselves rather than being sharing and giving to others. In the pre-Charter days, people were expected to live and work together much more in unity, in larger Homes or combos that were tightly shepherded. Since allowing everyone to operate according to their faith, many have taken that as a cue to go the so-called easy route of being concerned solely about themselves and their own little family, Home or work, instead of truly and sacrificially being one with their brothers and sisters in the rest of the Family.
110. Some of you operate this way because you feel that in times past when you tried to unselfishly give to other brethren, you were taken advantage of. I know this has happened on occasion, and we're very sorry that some Family members have been so inconsiderate and unchristian as to act this way. But regardless of what has happened, that shouldn't stop you from doing what you know is right and what is your duty according to not only the Charter, but the basic principles of Christian living in the New Testament—and that is to be giving and sharing with your fellow disciples.
111. As a Charter Member you are expected to live Acts 2:44 and 45 and share your material belongings with other Family members according to the need. We know that a great many Family members do so willingly‚ but many don't for various reasons. Some, because they're selfish and are not following the Lord or the Word on this subject; others have been giving in the past, but due to the selfish and greedy responses of others have become more possessive of their things. If you are selfishly trying to accumulate things for yourself or your family, to the neglect of others, or if you are not helping those in need, or if you are taking rather than giving, then you are not living up to this Charter responsibility.
(ML #3245:83-99, GN 847)
83. Question: I have a close friend or supporter who helps me a lot and is a blessing. How can I fight to continue to live Acts 2:44-45 and use the material blessings and funds I receive for the good of the overall work and Family?
84. (Jesus speaking: ) Oh, little one, can you not take that step of faith and trust Me? I have kept you, provided for you, guarded you‚ filled you with talents and training, and have prepared you for this day. I have supplied your needs from My Own riches. Can you not trust Me to continue to supply? I would give you much more than these few meager provisions and supply of needs.
85. I would supply richly and abundantly for My whole Family, but it's hard to find a man or woman of faith who will receive My blessings, and trusting in Me, pass them on. It's such a temptation of Satan to cling to the things I give you, to seek to preserve and protect yourself. This is a lack of faith and a lack of trust in Me.
86. Every good and perfect gift comes down to you from the Father of Lights through Me, and I give abundantly to My children. Though some do give what I have blessed them with to others, many more do not. They are thankful for the gifts, but they do not allow Me the chance to multiply them through their sharing them with others. I'm happy to give to My children, but it saddens Me to see the gifts that I've given—when they are more than enough for you—not shared or passed along or used to further My work. It makes Me sad when what I've given for all stops at the one I first give it to; when the streams of My blessings upon all are stopped by selfishness and lack of faith.
87. Where is your faith? You must build up your faith in My most holy Word, for I would supply your every need, all your needs, through My riches in glory. Daily I knock, bringing kings before you and riches to your door, but often the blessings that I give through these ones stop with you. Too often even their gifts and blessings do not increase because you do not let them flow to others also. Gifts do not increase or grow when they do not enrich the giver, and the giver is not enriched when you take the gift to yourself and not as unto Me and My work.
88. Let the giver know that what he gives‚ he gives unto the Lord and not just to you; that he offers his sacrifice to God and to God's work, that it may accomplish a greater good. Let Me bless both the giver and the receiver of the gift—the giver for bringing his tithes and offerings unto Me, and you as a faithful servant in My household who receives these offerings as a blessing from Me for the good of all.
89. Be not as Hophni and Phinehas of old (1 Sam.2:12-17), or as those who abuse their service to Me, who take the sacrifices brought to My temple as though offered unto themselves alone. Do not be as those who seek to make themselves rich in My service, yet look not after the people nor the household of God.
90. Seek not great things for yourself, nor be as the hireling who comes only to fleece the sheep. Be good shepherds of My flock and the great herds of My Kingdom, for there is great wealth that I would bring into the house of David. But how can I bless all with great wealth if what I bring to your doors stops at you? It must not stop with you but must be passed along. Let it flow through you and not just to you.
91. You must teach men to give as unto Me and not as unto men as man pleasers‚ that you as the receiver may be free from bondage to them or dependency. I must be lifted up in these matters. For if men give to you as unto men, they will seek something in return from you—your favor‚ your friendship, or your flesh. Receiving such gifts to yourselves will become a snare to you, and I want you free to serve Me.
92. You are not your own or another's, but Mine; I have bought you with a great price. Be My priests, faithful with My blessings‚ for these provisions that I bring to My house are to grow and prosper My work. They belong to Me, and you as My servant should be faithful with the things of My house, for it is the house of God and you are as servants in the household of God.
93. Do I not feed you? Do I not clothe you? Do I not care for you? So do not be overly covetous when I send or give extra provisions and extra blessings to you. Rather, share them cheerfully and happily with others, knowing that you are pleasing Me and are being faithful in that which is least and little. And know that through your giving and your sacrifice I will be able to bring many more blessings into My house.
94. Be faithful and not covetous, not selfish, not seeking to save yourself‚ but lay your life upon the altar of sacrifice in service to Me. This is pleasing in My sight. For if you seek to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life in My service and the service of others, you will save it. Freely you have received, so freely give. He that withholds tends to poverty, but he that gives will increase his riches.
95. Prove Me herewith, and see if I will not pour out such a blessing that your house will not hold it. As you pour out‚ I will pour in, and you cannot outpour Me. As you give it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down and shaken together shall it be given unto you. He that is faithful in that which is least shall be made steward over much.
96. Prove Me by trusting Me and giving, and see if I will not bless you with more than you can hold. As fast as you give, I will supply. Simply believe. He that gives to his own hurt performs a great act of faith in My sight, for it shows that he has not spared his own life, but has poured it out as a living sacrifice before Me. This is pleasing and brings on My Spirit and My blessing.
97. So why will you be in poverty? Why will you be fearful for the provisions of the day, when I would have you rich and giving, flowing and pouring forth to others? I would have you free from fear of lacking‚ free from being bound, free from seeking to save your own life. I would have My servants rich in giving.
98. Yes, I was tempted as you are by Satan. I was tempted with all the riches of the world. They were laid at My feet and I was tempted to take them and use them for My Own self and to forsake saving you. But I yielded to My Father and gave up My life and all that I had for you; then all was given unto Me. So give, and it shall be given unto you. Seek not to save yourself, but to save others. Receive not gifts as unto yourself, but as unto Me, that you and they might be greatly blessed. Then take what you receive into the house of the Lord and covet it not, but offer it as a sacrifice, and you will be greatly blessed. (End of message from Jesus)
99. (Mama:) Aren't those beautiful promises? The Lord says He will greatly bless those who give that which they have been given. If you have a close friend or supporter who gives to you personally, whether it's finances or material goods or needs, the Lord doesn't want those material blessings to stop with you. He wants you to turn around and share them with your brothers and sisters—that's truly living Acts 2:44,45! It's also a good sample and opportunity to teach your sheep and friends about godly giving. (See also "Acts 1-10," ML #1383:71-87, GN Book 3; "Dream About Finances," ML #2937:1-3, Lifelines 21.)
(ML #3363:110-125, GN 959)
(Comments from COs and VSs:)
110. A tendency I'm noticing more and more is people getting jobs in order to buy cars, computers, or other gadgets they feel are important to have. In order to buy these things‚ they work out an agreement with the Home, but many times the fruits in their personal lives aren't so positive—such as becoming more independent or selfish‚ or working on the periphery of the Family‚ or losing the vision to live by faith, and continuing to work even after they have acquired what they wanted, etc. It also foments a spirit of comparison and creates distinctions between the haves and have-nots, those who have their own cars, etc., and those who are simple missionaries‚ content with such things as they have.
111. In the Charter member contract, point O says: "I hereby agree to commit my resources, time, energy, knowledge, gifts and talents towards reaching the agreed-upon goals of the Home in which I reside and the goals of the Family at large." If the majority of the members of a Home are committing most of their time and energy to System jobs, with some witnessing on the side‚ it seems this fits in more with an FM level of commitment and not a CM one.
*
112. The fundraising methods vary in the amount of time they take and in the possibility of also using them for preaching the Gospel. I think the ballooning, face-painting, clowning, birthday party entertaining‚ etc., could all be fruitful forms of fundraising as far as being able to use them as part of a Home's witness and ministry for the Lord. But often they are not used as such, but solely as a form of raising funds‚ and there is no real message or witness included.
113. Also, I think that quite a bit of the fundraising, especially with our young people, is for their own goals—such as for their own vehicle or their own travel-and-visit-their-friends plans, or the different material things that they want.
114. The Homes don't seem to be basing their decisions on the old basic sound principles of the Word and the Lord's promises that "they that preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel," and "if we give unto you spiritual things, is it any great thing that we reap your carnal things," etc. Therefore, the preaching of the Gospel and thus the Lord's plan for us don't come to pass, and people and the Family in general get weakened.
115. The tendency is to look at "fundraising" as something separate in order to meet the Home's financial needs—like quick and easy—rather than trusting the Lord to provide because they are faithful in their witnessing and follow-up.
116. Some of our new disciples join very gung-ho as they have the classes and learn the verses regarding forsaking all‚ trusting the Lord to supply as they give their lives to Him and preach the Gospel. But then as they get married and have children, the reality often becomes something different, as the need for funds is met by frequent trips to the West‚ System jobs or whatever‚ and is a constant burden—yet it often isn't met by just simply obeying the Scriptural admonition to do our job and then trust that the Lord will supply.
*
117. It seems we have a fair number of very smart young people, mainly men, who have taught themselves quite a bit about computers and programming or Web work. Some of them have left the Family‚ but I've seen that some who remain in the Family are often still very money- and System-oriented, with a lot of talk and communications going on regarding how to get money by different computer-related jobs, or working on Web sites, or programming for different System companies. This sort of work is often accompanied by some anti-Family policy attitudes.
118. I received a note from one Home regarding some young men in such a situation there. The Home reported: "You often hear them together talking about their bank accounts, buying this or buying that, and it doesn't lend to the unity of spirit in the Home.—Especially when you seldom see those same people making an effort to come to devotions, but when it comes time to get up and head into town for business‚ they can be up and out as early as they wish." (End of excerpt from Home.)
119. It seems these young men are potential "supers," with the knowledge and money-making ability that others look up to, but often lack the "super-duper" convictions and attitudes of the spirit which really count and which our other young people should be looking up to.
*
120. A Family member told me that the Family has become a dog-eat–dog society. Here's one example this person gave me: If you have a good fundraising spot, you will keep it a secret and not tell any other Family member, because it's your own bread and butter, and once it's burned out, it's gone. It doesn't matter anymore that the Family at large gets that same income. It's a different Home! Or even within the same Home, it's a different person! You have to raise your own share of the budget, and how the other one does it is his problem.
121. I think everybody feels like if they work hard to bring in the funds, why shouldn't the other guy? They conclude it needs to be justly divided, fair and square.
122. It seems like everybody is struggling for finances so desperately, but again the individual Family member may be richer than 10 years ago. A while back it was enough if a Home had two vehicles; now if there are four families in a Home, they all need their own car. And they have to work for it themselves. Now there is less and less Home property and more and more personal property. "I own my double bed‚ the kids' beds, my cupboards‚ my desk with the desktop, some kitchen equipment, my car, etc. And if I move I take them all, because I worked so hard for them, and who knows what I'll have in the next Home. I have to secure myself somehow, right?" This is the way of thinking that goes around.
123. Somehow everything is breaking down to the individual Family person. Everybody wants to do their own thing. Everybody has their own vision‚ their own standard. I have lived in a Home where all I had to do was bring in my share of the money, and I was told I could do whatever I wanted. Also, some of these "Home budgets" just cover the rent and bills and food, and everything else is your own concern. I have heard of a Home where someone was watching how many slices of cheese the other one was eating, since everything had to be "equal." (End of comments from COs and VSs.)
124. (Mama:) What's happening to the Family? Don't you wonder about that? What about communal living, having all things in common‚ from each according to his ability unto each according to his need, bearing one another's burdens?
125. Many of you have become almost totally focused on money. That's your main concern. Of course, I understand that you need money, and a lot of it! But a terrible worldly selfishness has snuck into our ranks, and it stinks! That's not the Family!
(ML #3453, the section "Living Acts 2:44–45‚" pages 10-12, GN 1038)
Living Acts 2:44-45
*You're not living Acts 2:44-45.
*You're not living communally in spirit, as One Wife. A number of people live together in a Home, but it's not one Home; it's different people living together who have separate finances, separate responsibilities. It's not a community. It's different families living under the same roof. That's not communal living.
*You don't share all things. Your attitude is, "This is mine and that's yours."
*Often in a Home there is a couple or main family and they more or less run the Home; they own the house, they own the furniture‚ and everything is done the way they want it done. If someone new wants to join the Home, they basically have to understand and agree that things are "the way they are."
*There aren't bona fide elections‚ there's no real counsel in the Home. When it's election time, the guy who "owns" the Home, or de facto runs it, goes around and talks to everyone individually, so that by election time, everyone knows who they'd better vote for.
*Not living Acts 2:44-45 causes compromise. If a single mother lives in the Home mentioned above, if she sees that things are going amiss in the Home, she can't say anything because she might get kicked out or voted out, because a few people run the Home. These few people have the power and authority. It's like they've written their own rules, their own Charter. It's a private, selfish Home‚ not a Family communal Home.
Peter: That is so un-Charter. That is so un-Acts 2:44-45. That is so un-communal. That's not Family life. That's not the way it's meant to be!
*There are so many single-family Homes because people are unwilling or unable to live communally due to pride, selfishness, and bickering. These single-family Homes are crumbling because they don't have the Lord's blessing.
*Some of you new disciples that have joined in recent years often have apartments or cars that you leave with your System relatives. You don't forsake all and give to the community—the Family Home. You're keeping something to fall back on "just in case."
37. (Dad speaking: ) There are many who have turned away from true loving and sacrificial giving, and have fallen into the trap of becoming entangled again with the affairs of this life. They have forgotten that they were called and chosen to be soldiers of the cross‚ not selfish members of a Christian society.
38. And unfortunately, their selfish samples have affected others around them, to where many Family members are afraid to live Acts 2:44-45 for fear that they will not be able to survive. If they give unselfishly themselves to those who are selfish‚ they are afraid that they will not receive anything in return, and therefore they begin to hold back, and on and on the cycle goes until they have become little different than the so–called Christians who do not follow the full counsel of the Word. (End of message from Dad.)
*A big problem with you young people (and others) is that you're focused on accumulating personal possessions. You've become selfish and self–centered, and you've lost the Acts 2:44–45 vision. You don't want to share. For example, you want a car. Not that having a car is bad in itself; it can be an asset, can save time, can be a blessing if you have children, etc. But the problem is that many of you have private projects going to raise money to buy not only your personal car, but your personal everything, and then you don't want to share. You've lost the vision to allow other people to use what you have. How is that different from how people in the world live?
Peter: "Sure the Home has a car or two, but I've gotta have my car." "I've gotta have my computer." "I've gotta have my this, I've gotta have my that." "I've gotta have my little house, my little family, my little children, all my belongings."
That sounds like my parents‚ who are Systemites. It sounds like all the rest of the world. It sounds like selfish Christians to me, a little Christian society.
Well, we're not just some little Christian society; we're a Family—a Family of disciples. We're a discipleship society, and if you're not a disciple, then you don't belong. If your heart is in your TVs, your videos, your house, your car, your selfishness, and your "me, me, me," "gimme, gimme, gimme"—there's a whole world of people in the world like that! Go join'm!
39. (Jesus speaking:) Many of you think that living Acts 2:44-45 in this day and age is not possible. You're wrong. You feel the world has changed so much, the System is different now, and that even the makeup of the Family and the way it's operating and its traditions are different now‚ so you feel justified in having your own private families, homes, and belongings. You are departing from the spirit of discipleship and communal living, which is an integral part of My plan for revolutionary Endtime discipleship.
40. You're not meant to be straying further from ultimate discipleship and radical living; you're meant to be coming closer, being more dropped out, more pure. It's time for all your selfishness and cozy, independent living to change. It's time to get back to the basics of the Word—sacrifice, giving‚ sharing, having all things in common. Only through such giving of self to each other will you be united and the true testimony of My Endtime New Church. (End of message from Jesus)
(ML #3462:114-133, GN 1047)
114. One of the greatest testimonies of our Family lifestyle has almost disappeared. We are no longer living communally as we once did. In our earlier days this was one of our most powerful witnesses. The hippies of the late '60s and '70s had tried‚ to no avail‚ to have successful communes‚ but they just couldn't get it together. Other Jesus People groups had tried to live together, but their efforts crumbled. And even practical-minded people who were just trying to make ends meet by sharing expenses in a communal situation couldn't pull it off. And yet in the Family we managed to live in huge colonies or Homes where we shared everything.
115. It was beautiful Christian socialism, and it worked! Not only did it work, but it was a tremendous testimony of the reality of a living God of love‚ because we not only managed to share what we had and pay the bills, but we loved one another and were happy together.
116. That's why we so often would tell someone who was resistant to the witness, "Come and see!" We knew that if sheep were turned off to the Bible or they'd had bad experiences with the churches that made them not like Jesus, if we could just get them to come visit, their whole perception of Jesus would change. That's one of the things that made our sample so powerful—our communal lifestyle, unity, and having all things in common like Jesus' disciples did. That really proved we meant business; and we would often feel such satisfaction and pride in the truth when we could honestly say, "We live like Jesus and His disciples lived."
117. Not only was this an extremely powerful testimony of love and brotherhood, but it was also very effective financially. It doesn't take much skill in math to realize that it's much more economical to live together in a bigger house where you can share the rent, utilities‚ other bills and expenses. If you live together and co-op your time and talents, if you teach your children together, if you watch movies on the same video player and drive the same couple of cars, if you share the same Internet connection and swim in the same pool or your children play in the same yard, it just makes sense that you'll be saving money.
118. But the pattern in the Family today is that so many people now only want to live in either single-family Homes or very small Homes with just a couple of other people, preferably singles. They want their own things, their own car, their own equipment, their own house—which translates to their own bills!
119. Whatever happened to communal living? Whatever happened to Acts 2:44 and 45? Whatever happened to disciples forsaking all to live together? These are questions you need to seriously ponder and seek the Lord about.
120. Living together‚ sharing all things, bearing one another's financial burdens, forsaking all to live together, and trusting the Lord to supply‚ are foundation stones for the Family's economic System. Have you let them go in favor of a lifestyle that looks just like everyone else? That is so boring! That is so ineffective! And that is nothing even remotely similar to the way Jesus' disciples lived. But I suppose that's the true question—are you a disciple? If you are, then you'll take advantage of the marvelous and workable financial plan that Jesus gave His disciples. It still works today; it's just that so few people are willing to truly live it.
121. When I talk about communal living I mean you share all things, you have all things in common, no one has so much while others have too little. Are you still living in the land of not too much, the land where everyone has enough? Or have you moved to the land of selfishness, where you're hoarding and guarding your things, not willing to share?
122. Granted, as Peter brought out in the videos to the Family in Brazil‚ there might be those of you who have gotten "burned" because you gave of your finances or things, and then you got ripped off by other Family members that you trusted. That is very sad, and if that's the case, I'm so sorry! These things ought not so to be! I only pray that you'll have the faith to once again step forward to give, share, and trust the Lord. I pray you'll find brethren to work with who also have a heart to give and share, who aren't just looking for what they can get‚ but who are also seeking to lift another's load, to take from their own closet, fridge‚ or purse, and give to someone in need.
123. Please try to make it work. Successful communal living requires a large measure of unselfishness and trust from all parties involved‚ as one CO mentioned when he read the advance copy of this Letter:
124. One reason people hesitate to live Acts 2:44 and 45 is, sadly, because they don't really trust others. They are afraid that if they do live communally with others, they would need to share their contacts, share their finances, maybe even move into a bit bigger, nicer house where there's actually room to live comfortably with another family at a good standard, and that this will eventually end up meaning that this other family will take their contacts and thus their support and income, leave the Home and leave them holding the bag with a big house and a big rent to pay while living on their own. In the end‚ they feel they will lose too much and the chance is too great to take. So they hesitate to take the step to venture out and live with others and get set up in a nice housing situation, sharing all things, including friends, contacts and supporters. Quite sad.
125. (Mama:) Communal living is built on giving by everyone involved. It's not possible if your hearts are selfish and greedy. It must be a work of God's Spirit. While it's complicated to live together and share all things, if you're truly seeking to improve not only your financial base but also your sample to those you witness to, I sincerely ask that you pray desperately for a team that you can work and live with communally, following Acts 2:44 and 45. It's good business, it will save you tons of money, and it will improve your witness by giving you a supernatural, fascinating sample to offer to those you minister to. Then you'll be able to say, "Come and see!" and your communal Home will be a picture of Heaven on Earth to unbelievers.
126. The Lord is a wise Investor! He gives the most to those who are thankful for the blessings He's already given them, and who show their appreciation by praising Him regularly‚ being good stewards of His material blessings, practicing austerity with the funds He gives, and not becoming familiar with His generosity. No benefactor would continue giving aid to someone who isn't faithful, who doesn't take care of what he already has, and who lets things deteriorate or go to waste. So what makes you think the Lord is going to give you His blessings of supply and provisions if you're an unwise steward and/or aren't thankful for what you have? He won't bless unfaithfulness, wastefulness, murmuring, or familiarity.
127. This is a real problem in many Family Homes around the world. You aren't thankful for what our Provider has given you, and you aren't praising Him for His bountiful supply. You aren't taking care of your Homes, your vehicles, and your equipment like you should, so of course the Lord doesn't feel like giving you upgrades if He knows you're just going to let them go to pot like the rest of your possessions. You aren't thankful for the provisioning you do get‚ and you even murmur and complain and become familiar and wasteful, so of course the Lord isn't going to increase the supply lines.
128. When our Husband sees that you're taking good care of what He supplies, that you're being good stewards, and are thankful and praiseful for His blessings, that moves Him to want to supply even more—over and above even your basic needs. He wants to spoil you. He wants to give you His financial and material blessings in abundance. But He's not going to let His riches and blessings go down the drain or land in ungrateful laps. His Word says, "It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful" (1Cor.4:2)—faithful to appreciate and care for all the Lord's blessings, and to invest them in His service wisely. As the parable of the talents and the wise and unwise stewards in Matthew 25 shows‚ you who care for what He gives wisely, prayerfully and faithfully, will receive more and be blessed.
129. While we're on the subject of being good stewards of the things the Lord blesses us with, let's also remember to be good stewards of our brethren's belongings and the Home's goods. This is something that's often sadly lacking in our Homes, and it's not only a sad reflection on our faithfulness and diligence‚ our love and consideration for others, and our sample to outsiders, but it tears down Home unity and tends to encourage selfishness. One CO who read an advance copy of this Letter commented:
130. One reason for people not wanting to share things is bad stewardship. People tend to be careless with communal items. And some people are careless with personal belongings as well, so it's difficult to trust them with expensive equipment such as computers, cameras, etc. It's not a distrust of their motives, but of their ability to handle the equipment with care. I'm sure many people have this concern, having seen many communal items or loaned items damaged by mishandling, or even totally misplaced and lost. So then you wonder why you should let them use the equipment when the Lord doesn't bless bad stewards.
131. (Mama:) When you're poor stewards, it also discourages others from giving to you. Outsiders notice such things, as another CO commented:
132. Rich people observe a lot more than we think they do‚ and if they come to our Homes and see us be wasteful, careless‚ reckless and negligent with what we already have, you can be sure they will know right away that we are not a good investment. Not only will we miss out on the financial help that they would be to us if they saw a sample of diligence and faithfulness with what we already have, but the greatest loss will be in their lives. The Lord won't be able to bless them for their giving‚ and we won't be able to give them the riches of the spirit that they so desperately need.
133. (Mama:) Please, dear Family, be good stewards of each other's belongings and treat them as you would your own! That's part of loving others as yourself, the Law of Love. "Moreover‚ it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful" (1Cor.4:2).
(ML #3462:367-403, GN 1049)
Verses
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality (2Cor.8:13-14).
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men‚ as every man had need (Acts 2:44-45).
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need (Acts 4:32-35).
Quotes
367. (Mama:) God is continuing to promote His message—that people can live the way Jesus and the disciples did—the way Jesus taught that we all should live—in happiness and unity and fellowship with each other, and that He would supply all our needs, and in the process, help us to further His message and way of living. (ML #G:2, Vol.1).
368. (Dad:) We are doing what the Lord wanted the church to do in the first place, and which the church did in the first place, in the days of the Early Church where they lived communally and "no man called anything his own" (Acts 4:32) and "owe no man anything save to love him" (Rom.13:8) and shared all things, just as it says in Acts 2. They really lived communally and it worked‚ like it's working with us, because of the Lord and our love and sacrificial service and wanting to help others and help each other. It works! (ML #2342:25, Vol.17).
369. (Dad: ) Let me tell you, folks: If you are having problems in your Homes, if God isn't supplying, one of the first things you'd better get down to prayer about is your unity. Are you living in love and peace and harmony with your brethren? (ML #3072:9, Lifelines 23).
370. (Jesus:) Unity is the power of God! Unity is not just a manifestation of God or a reward of God or a blessing of God, but unity is the power of God! The greater the unity, the greater the power. If you would be powerful‚ My people—a powerful witness, a powerful testimony, a financial power—then you must have unity. For these other blessings of God—provision, protection, supply, fruitfulness—will be given from My hand in direct proportion to your unity.
371. Unity pulls down the riches of God! Unity opens the windows of Heaven so that you can ask what you will, and it shall be given unto you.
372. Unity is one of the secrets to the blessings of God. To be unified in love and obedience to Me and My Word is one of the greatest drawing powers on the Spirit of God. (ML #3158:62,64–65‚ Lifelines 24).
373. (Jesus: ) In order for My blessings of support and supply to be poured out on My children, there must be total unity and complete open communication between everyone involved. It is truly the day of Acts 2:44-45—the day for each member to be fitly joined in one body, with one Head—Me. (ML #3232:212, GN 834).
374. (Jesus:) A greater increase in love will increase the witness you give‚ and the fruit of your witness. It will increase your supply, the finances that come in. It will increase your unity, which strengthens you, your Home, your children, your prayer power. (ML #3251:8, GN 853).
375. (Dad: ) God was the original pioneer of communal living, with His early church and disciples whom He encouraged to live together and help each other. This lifestyle is not for everyone, and there will always be scoffers who say it can't be done, or people who prefer a private lifestyle, but the benefits remain unparalleled!
376. Having many people share the financial responsibility makes for a very light load‚ and the pressure and strain is taken off of the shoulders of the traditional single breadwinner having to bring home the paycheck and pay all the bills. (ML #3172:157-158, GN 777).
377. (Mama:) Another vital part of our obeying the Lord and the principles of His Word is making sure that we're strictly adhering to Acts 2:44 and 45, sharing and wisely using what He's already given us. We know from the Book of Acts that God blesses sharing and "common–potting" as we call it, and doesn't bless withholding, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. (See Acts 2-5.) (ML #2813:5, Lifelines 20).
378. (Jesus:) Instead of living communally and sacrificing to be more efficient and more economical and a testimony of the principle of "all that believed were together and had all things common," a growing number have now chosen to live on their own. They feel it's easier‚ simpler, less complicated, and in their eyes it certainly requires less sacrifice and less yielding. But what these have forgotten is that living together and having all things in common and truly sharing not only your material possessions, but your time and talent and skills and love, is one of the most important testimonies setting the Family apart from other churches.
379. The lack of living Acts 2:44 and 45 is obviously a very big hindrance to unity. It's taking the easy way out and not being willing to make the sacrifices necessary to keep yielding and growing in love and preferring your brethren. Therefore‚ not only does it hinder the flow of My Spirit and the giving of My blessings and provision and protection, but it also hinders the personal growth of those who choose to remove themselves from the body and to live separately, on their own .
380. Lack of living communally and sharing all things may look to some to be just a small deviance from My plan‚ part of their "personal choice" in this new day—something that doesn't make much difference and isn't really that important. But they don't understand the great blessings that they're sacrificing and the powerful testimony that they're losing in not being willing to make the sacrifices necessary to live together in love and have all things in common‚ as My early disciples did, and as the children of David have from the beginning and through the years. (ML #3160:134,135,139, Lifelines 24).
381. (Peter:) This question of living the "One Wife" vision and Acts 2:44 and 45 is broader than just whether you live in a single–family Home or not. Unfortunately, you can be living together with others and still be operating independently—keeping your finances separate‚ setting different standards for your children, not sharing the load in educating and caring for your children, and not reading the Word, praying or hearing from the Lord together. Even though you live communally, you might have a hard time saying you have many things in common, much less "all things" (Acts 2:44-45).
382. It's this selfishness, this watching out for yourself and your own‚ that the Lord is unhappy about. This is not only a terrible testimony to outsiders but it greatly disheartens and even stumbles some of the brethren. God help us!
383. Are you still striving to live the Letters, to give your brethren as much as possible of your time, talents, and material goods? Are you willing to share what you have with those who have need, so all will have enough? (ML #3160:141‚144,147‚ Lifelines 24).
384. (Mama:) The Lord's financial plan for the Family has always been Acts 2:44 and 45. If you're not living that, I strongly suggest you pray about what changes you need in your lives and Home. And certainly if you're a single-family Home you can't possibly be living Acts 2:44 and 45, and you will undoubtedly run into more financial pressure. It's only logical that if you live communally and share your expenses and possessions such as your cars, appliances, computers‚ etc., not only is it more economical but it's obedience to the Lord's plan, so He can bless you more. But it all boils down to how much you want to share‚ how much you want to live unselfishly. (ML #3363:175, GN 959).
385. (Mama: ) That is the whole point: The Lord wants the Family to look a whole lot more like it used to as far as dedication, full-time service, unity, communal living, having all things in common, witnessing full time, living by faith, homeschooling our children, etc. We're the only ones doing it, and the Lord is determined to preserve that sample. In fact‚ the need to preserve that sample is the main reason the Lord will allow suffering, persecution, and more detractors to test and try you, so that all of you who need to will make some decisions—either to get right with Him and live as you should, or to find a life that is more suited to you‚ either in a different circle of the Family or in the System. (ML #3364:34, GN 960).
New Message
386. (Jesus speaking:) The drastic departure from living communally and Acts 2:44 and 45 is one of the greatest signs of compromise and a cooling down of the children of David. This is a picture of the increased selfishness and worldliness that have crept into your midst—and not just crept in, but moved in and staked out the territory. This is a fruit of being closer to the System, not closer to Me. You have forsaken one of the original beauties of the Children of God, the Family of Love. Something that was once one of the greatest testimonies, if not the greatest, of your devotion to Me and your true discipleship, has now faded into the background, a victim of selfishness, division, and a severe lack of love.
387. It takes the pure supernatural love of God to live communally, to have all things in common, and to give to others in need. That's why I will bring this lifestyle back to the Family, as that illustration in living flesh will be more and more necessary to your witness as the days get darker and the hearts of men grow colder.
388. As you go into the Last Days, you will be surrounded with those who hate love, who fight God, and who will do anything in their power to stop My message. But as you're strong in unity, love, and communal happiness, they will never be able to destroy that testimony. It's the "come and see" testimony, it's the "not a sermon but a sample" testimony, it's the "we are the living proof that it works" testimony.
389. More and more people will have to see it with their own eyes; they will have to behold some kind of "proof" before they will believe. So it's not just for your own convenience and financial stability that I'm asking you to return to your roots‚ but for the sake of those whose minds are clouded, who want to believe‚ but who say, "I believe, help my unbelief." You will help them past their unbelief by your sample, by your love and unity.
390. Communal living and sharing all things, forsaking all to live together, is the foundation of the economic system of My Early Church‚ and it will work for you. I will use that lifestyle to lighten your financial burdens considerably. It makes sense, and it's a wise endeavor, certainly worth the sacrifices. As you return to your happy communes where you have all things common, where no one has too little or too much, you will find that your finances are miraculously multiplied and your coins will turn to God's good gold that never tarnishes. You will not lack for anything.
391. But that's not the only side of the story. I not only want to use your communal living to help My children have their needs supplied in every way, but I want to restore this illustration of the way that I and My early disciples lived. I want the world to be reminded of how I lived with those I loved and of the brotherly love that we shared. I want you to again be able to say‚ "We live like Jesus and His disciples," because that is one of the most interesting and miraculous testimonies to those who are slow to believe. When you are able to say that, they think of those who travel constantly, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, helping the downtrodden‚ sharing all things, living by faith, being samples of love, and dedicating themselves fully to God. This is the way I showed your David the Family should live in the very beginning, the way you did live, and the way many of you still live—and the way I wish all of you would live. With this testimony I become more than a name‚ more than a prophet, and My disciples become more than characters in a well-read book.
392. With your living illustration of My truth in this miraculous way‚ I will draw all men unto Me. And because of this, I promise you that I will more than bless your sacrifices; I will make your living communally even more blessed, more prosperous and happier than it was before in your earlier days. If you'll reach out and take the steps needed‚ if you'll believe and hold Me to My word on this, you will not regret it, and this will be one of the biggest keys to your financial success and expansion that you have yet to lay hold on.
393. Yes, there are many obstacles to living communally, but I can and will supply if you put Me on the spot and hold Me to My promises. I have told you that it is My highest will for you to live communally, so you can have full faith and trust that I will supply the accommodations that you need. In some countries large housing is expensive or nearly impossible to find—or both—but I am not limited by circumstances or physical limitations. Where I guide, I provide. When I ask you to do something, I always supply what you need—whether it's a large enough house for a cheap price, or the money for an expensive one. No matter what obstacle you face that hinders you from living communally—financial or otherwise—know that I will open doors as you take the steps of obedience to do My will.
394. Even if you were just to move toward communal living on the strength of the logical argument that it's more economical, that you can co-op your talents and supplies, I will still bless you beyond your expectations, because I'm desperate for this sample to be brought back to the world. It is absolutely necessary to your future and the success of your missionary work. It is crucial to your survival, so I will stop at nothing in My blessings to you as you return to these beautiful ways of "the land of not too much," where everyone has enough, and you are My face to the world. (End of message from Jesus.)
New Keys Promises
395. Seek Me together, call on the keys of love and unity to help your Home be a true sample of discipleship‚ and I will give you the finances you need to not just survive, but thrive.
396. When you're living together, having all things in common, and activating the keys of unity, I will open doors for you and supply all of your needs.
397. By living Acts 2:44 and 45 you activate the keys of unity that tap into the power of Heaven, and make a way for Me to shower you with the bountiful riches of My Kingdom.
398. Call on the keys of obedience to live the way I have instructed you to, and watch Me stretch your money‚ bring in extra finances, and supply through avenues and people you never would have believed possible.
399. The keys can help transfer My heavenly riches in glory to earthly pockets that can be used to fulfill My will on Earth as it is in Heaven.
ASSIGNMENT
400. I'd like to ask each of you to pray about the following question:
What possessions do I have that have become "idols" in my life? Should I forsake those things, or do You want to speak to me about them? In what other ways are You bringing me personally back to being an example of Acts 2:44 and 45?
401. Plan an in-Home or inter-Home (citywide) free store. What this means is that each person takes a look at their personal possessions and hears from the Lord about what they are willing to give to those in need. Then you can plan a time when everyone brings their forsake-all to a pre-set meeting place where the excess that the Lord has provided is displayed in a "from each according to his ability unto each according to his need" manner. The point is that people take what they need‚ give what they have, or swap as they feel led. Whatever is left over (that which no one needs) can be boxed up and given to other Homes in other cities, or if that's not feasible, given to the needy.
402. Discuss ways to "advertise" when you individually or as a Home have excess that can be given to others in need—either via a bulletin board, newsletter, or whatever.
403. Have a Home meeting in which you discuss your financial plan and your approach to Acts 2:44 and 45, so you can determine if you're all "on the same page" regarding this principle. If not, then you should seek out a team that will be more in keeping with your faith along these lines. (The intent of this is for those Family members who want to truly live communally and have all things in common to find those who are of like mind, so we will eventually have more Homes that are the sample of how Jesus and His disciples lived.)
Definition: Being concerned chiefly or only with one's self, without thinking of others.
* Genesis 4:9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
* Proverbs 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
* Proverbs 24:11,12 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest‚ Behold‚ we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?
* Ezekiel 34:8b,10‚18,23,24 [God speaks against selfish shepherds, and He promises to raise up a David of the Last Days, who will unselfishly feed the sheep:] Neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock. 10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold‚ I am against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. 18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? And to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even My servant David; he shall feed them‚ and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.
* Zechariah 7:6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?
* Matthew 25:42-45 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick , and in prison and ye visited Me not. 44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst‚ or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? 45 Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these‚ ye did it not to Me.
* Philippians 2:21 [Selfishness causes the Lord's work to suffer:] For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
* 2 Timothy 3:1,2a [As the world enters the time of the End, selfishness becomes more pronounced:] This know also, that in the Last Days perilous times shall come. 2a For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous. [See also Matthew 24:12.]
* James 2:15,16 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
* James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
* 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
* Proverbs 11:24b There is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
* Proverbs 13:7a There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing.
* Proverbs 15:27a He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house.
* Proverbs 28:27b He that hideth his eyes [from the needs of others] shall have many a curse.
* Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
* Haggai 1:6,9‚10 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? Saith the Lord of hosts. Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. 10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
* Mark 10:21,22 Then Jesus beholding him loved him‚ and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor‚ and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. 22 And he was sad at that saying‚ and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
* Luke 12:15 And [Jesus] said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
* 2 Corinthians 9:6a But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly.
* Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [See Genesis 31:5-9,41‚42 for the story of how God helped Jacob collect his due from his selfish father-in-law, Laban.]
* James 5:1-5 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted‚ and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the Last Days. 4 Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
* Jeremiah 5:26-28 For among My people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
* Hosea 12:7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
* Micah 6:12 For the rich men thereof are full of violence‚ and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
* 1 Timothy 6:9,10 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. 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.
* James 4:1,2a From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence‚ even of your lusts that war in your members? 2a Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not.
* 1 Samuel 2:22-25a and 3:13 [Eli, the priest was judged by God for letting his sons have their own way:] Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. 25a If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord‚ who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father. 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
* 1 Kings 1:1a,5,6a [The bad fruit of King David spoiling his son:] Now King David was old and stricken in years; 5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 6a And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? [See verses 16–21.]
* Proverbs 1:30–32 They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them‚ and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
* Proverbs 14:14a The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.
* Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.
* Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart‚ and went backward, and not forward.
* Luke 15:12,13 [The story of the Prodigal Son:] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together‚ and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
* Job 9:4b Who hath hardened himself against Him, and hath prospered?
* Job 27:8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
* Psalm 106:15 And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
* Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
* Ecclesiastes 1:8 All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
* Ecclesiastes 2:10,11 [A self-indulgent King Solomon said:] And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and‚ behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
* Luke 9:23 And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself‚ and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. [See Titus 2:12.]
* Luke 14:26,27 If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother‚ and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.
* Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself‚ so that I might finish my course with joy‚ and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
* Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him [the Devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
* 2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
* Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
* Psalm 34:9‚10 O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
* Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. [See Psalm 21:2; 145:19.]
* Psalm 84:11b No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
* Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
* 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded‚ nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
* Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
* John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?
* John 7:18a He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory.
* 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
* 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
* 1 Corinthians 10:31,33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do‚ do all to the glory of God. ... 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
* 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves‚ but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
* 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel‚ even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
* Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
* Deuteronomy 15:10 Thou shalt surely give him [the poor], and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
* Proverbs 11:24a-26 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
* Proverbs 13:7b There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
* Proverbs 14:21b He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
* Isaiah 58:10,11 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought‚ and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden‚ and like a spring of water‚ whose waters fail not.
* Matthew 6:3,4 But when thou doest alms [give to the needy], let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms [giving] may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.
* Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure‚ pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
* John 12:24,25 Verily, verily, I say unto you‚ Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
* Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
* Romans 15:1-3a We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. 3a For even Christ pleased not Himself.
* 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own‚ but every man another's wealth.
* 1 Corinthians 13:5b Charity [love] seeketh not her own.
* 2 Corinthians 5:14a,15 For the love of Christ constraineth us. 15 And that He died for all‚ that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
* 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
* Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens‚ and so fulfill the law of Christ.
* Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
* Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
* James 2:8 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.
* 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
* Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister‚ and to give His life a ransom for many. [See also Isaiah 53:12; 1 Timothy 2:6a.]
* John 15:12‚13 This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this‚ that a man lay down his life for his friends.
* 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.
* 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
* Matthew 26:39 And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying‚ O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
* Jeremiah 42:6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil [difficult or sacrificial], we will obey the voice of the Lord our God, to Whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.
* Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
* 1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
[See also 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 3:8; Hebrews 11:24-26.]
* Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee‚ and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
* Luke 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
* Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
* Acts 2:44,45 And all that believed were together‚ and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
* Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
* Genesis 13:9 [When strife arose between the herdsmen of his nephew, Lot, and his own, Abraham wisely offered to divide up their land, giving Lot first choice of the best land:] Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself‚ I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
* Genesis 50:21 [Joseph showed extraordinary kindness to his brothers, who previously had sold him tried to kill him and then sold him to Egyptian traders as a slave:] Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
* 1 Samuel 18:4 [Jonathan, the son of King Saul, befriends David and gives his belongings to him:] And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments‚ even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
* 1 Kings 17:8-16 [The poor widow of Zarephath shares what's left of her food with Elijah‚ and is blessed during the drought:] And the Word of the Lord came unto [Elijah], saying, 9 Arise‚ get thee to Zarephath, ... and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee‚ a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake‚ but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not‚ neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the Word of the Lord, which He spake by Elijah.
* Mark 12:41-44 [The poor widow shared with God unselfishly from her heart all that she had:] And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them‚ Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
* Mark 14:3-9 [The woman who anointed Jesus with an expensive ointment is to be honored:] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on Me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but Me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial
* Luke 10:29-37 [The good Samaritan is an example to us all of unselfish kindness shown to a stranger:] But he [a religious lawyer], willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 30 And Jesus answering said‚ A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine‚ and set him on his own beast‚ and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence‚ and gave them to the host, and said unto him‚ Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
* Romans 16:4 [Paul said of Priscilla and Aquila:] Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
* Philippians 2:30 [Epaphroditus:] Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life‚ to supply your lack of service toward me.
Definition: Being excessively desirous of the possessions of another; an extreme desire to acquire or possess. Possessiveness, which is quite similar, is an attitude toward ownership or possession which is overprotective, selfish or hoarding. The word "covetousness" is used in this study.
* Matthew 10:8b Freely ye have received, freely give.
* Acts 20:33-35 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
* Romans 13:8,9 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended [summed up] in this saying, namely‚ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
* 1 Corinthians 10:24,33 Let no man seek his own‚ but every man another's wealth. 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
* 1 Corinthians 13:5 [Love] seeketh not her own.
* 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich‚ yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.
* 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
* 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
* 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. [See also Deuteronomy 8:18]
* Psalm 128:1,2 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
* Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.
* Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.
* Ecclesiastes 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof‚ and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. [See also Ecclesiastes 3:13.]
* 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this World‚ that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
* James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from Above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
* Matthew 6:25-33 [Jesus said:] Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body‚ what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought‚ saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God‚ and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
* Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [See also Psalm 84:11b.]
* Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
* Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife‚ nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
[See also Romans 7:7.]
* Matthew 13:22 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.
* Mark 8:36,37 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
* Luke 12:15 And He said unto them, Take heed‚ and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
* 1 Timothy 6:6-10 But Godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 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. 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.
* 2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him Who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
* 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
* 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
* Psalm 10:3 [Pride:] For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous‚ whom the Lord abhorreth.
* Isaiah 56:11b [Selfishness and self-centeredness:] They all look to their own way, every one for his gain‚ from his quarter.
* Ezekiel 33:31 [Compromise and disobedience:] And they come unto thee [the prophet] as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
* Micah 2:2 [Stealing and violence:] And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house‚ even a man and his heritage.
* Micah 3:11 [Hypocrisy and deceit:] The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord‚ and say, Is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us.
* Joshua 7:20-21,24-26 [Covetousness on the part of one man, Achan, was responsible for Israel losing a vital battle. Achan and his family paid for this with their lives:] And Achan answered Joshua, and said‚ Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. 24 And Joshua‚ and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver‚ and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. 25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? The Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire‚ after they had stoned them with stones. 26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger [against Israel]. [See Joshua 7:10-26]
* 1 Samuel 15:9,26 [Covetousness had a part in King Saul's disobedience which eventually lost him his kingdom:] But Saul and the people spared [wicked King] Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings‚ and the lambs‚ and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them [which the Lord had explicitly commanded them to do]: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 26 And Samuel said unto Saul, for thou hast rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. [See verses 1–28.]
* 2 Kings 5:20,26,27 [As a result of his covetousness, Gehazi was smitten with leprosy:] But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God‚ said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. 26 And [Elisha] said unto him, Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards‚ and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. [See verses 15-27.]
* Psalm 37:26 [A godly man] is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
* Psalm 112:5a,9 A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth. ... 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.
* Proverbs 3:27‚28 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
* Proverbs 11:24,25 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
* Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich‚ yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
* Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.
* Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee‚ and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
* Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
* 1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
* Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things‚ how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak‚ and to remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
* Psalm 119:14,36 [Covet the treasures of God's Word:] I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
* Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil.
* Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
* Jeremiah 9:23‚24 [Strive for a closer relationship with the Lord:] Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
* 1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best [spiritual] gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. [After this verse Paul continues with 1 Corinthians 13, the "Love Chapter"; see also 1 Corinthians 14:39.]
* Colossians 3:2 [Ask the Lord to help you to be Heavenly minded:] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
* Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God‚ men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties‚ and rulers of tens:
* Proverbs 28:16 The prince that wanteth [lacks] understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
* Isaiah 1:23-26 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. 25 And I will turn My hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: 26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
* Isaiah 56:11,12 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
* Jeremiah 6:13,15 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
* Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two 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 [wealth].
* 1 Timothy 3:2,3 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober‚ of good behavior, given to hospitality‚ apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous.
* 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. [See also Titus 1:11.]
* 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them‚ and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned [deceptive] words make merchandise of you.
(Dad:) Living the "One Wife" vision is not outdated. It's not old-fashioned or old hat. It's still God's formula for loving communal living. People are still adjusting to the Charter and learning lessons of true unselfish‚ sacrificial love, but it doesn't mean that you're not supposed to continue to be your brother's keeper. You are meant to take care of your brothers and sisters and do whatever you can to show them God's love. That's what "One Wife" is—opening up your life to others, and not living selfishly behind closed doors and just taking care of your own, not caring about what happens to the others in your Home.
We are still meant to take care of each other, to help with each other's children‚ and to do so unitedly. It's going to take prayer, giving, forgiving and loving. It's going to take the Lord's Word, faith, trust and obedience. But I guarantee that as you do those things‚ the Lord will bless and keep blessing.
Selfishness is the root of comparing, of envy and of jealousy. It is the root of comparing, because it is wanting more for yourself—wanting not only what you have, but what others have as well. It is the root of envy, wanting to have something that you think you ought to have‚ that you even feel you deserve. It is the root of jealousy, wanting what is yours to remain yours. So in all these cases, whatever your problem, you must defeat the monster of selfishness, and you must yield to the magical power of yieldedness and surrender to Me. For these things are miracle–working, magical elixirs that heal and transform and bring life and peace and joy. Yielding to Me, and believing and trusting Me for everything that comes into your life, whether it seems to you to be good or bad, is the path to happiness and to victory.
Open your heart to Me and let Me love you! Let Me thrill you and fill you! Let Me hold you close and kiss you and caress you. Bare yourself, all of yourself, to Me. Hold nothing back from Me. Yield, give, open‚ and let Me and My Spirit and My love flow into you. Each time you do this, it defeats the darkness‚ and it causes these poisons that have seeped into your spirit to drain out, to drip away, to melt, to dissolve. They keep trying to come back, but through loving Me and surrendering all to Me, I keep draining and dissolving them‚ until they shall be no more.
Copyright © 2004 by The Family
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