Receive an Hundredfold

[Dan Clarkston]

NOTE - Let's forget about TV preachers who have abused verses like this and take Jesus at His Word!

Mark 10:28-30
Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

So, why is it so many reject what Jesus says about those giving for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundredfold?

 

[amadeus]

NOTE - Let's forget about TV preachers who have abused verses like this and take Jesus at His Word!

Mark 10:28-30
Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

So, why is it so many reject what Jesus says about those giving for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundredfold?

What is it that we want from God? Should it not be equal to what God wants to give us now? Are we hearing from God so as to always know exactly what He wants us to have? Consider what is written here:

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. But then in spite those words, let us consider what Jesus says here: Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Mt 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

But then along with that consider also what is written here:

Jas 4:3

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Jesus overcame all his temptations, but have we? Have all of the temptations which if they are followed would lead us to sin been removed from us?

1jo 2:15	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.
1jo 2:16	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.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

If Jesus promises something... does He keep His promises?

If not, that would make Him a liar.

Of course James 4:3 comes in to play, but the Lord would like for His children to mature enough to be able to handle this world's goods without it causing them to turn from the Lord and/or start treating others badly.

While in this world we will need to participate in handling money and material possessions which is very helpful in getting the gospel out as we see Paul speaking of.

Jesus overcame all his temptations, but have we? Have all of the temptations which if they are followed would lead us to sin been removed from us?

Jesus has provided more than enough for us to overcome temptations so this should not be an issue for the mature believe

Php 4:11

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Yes, we should be content in our personal lives... so is it wrong to desire to have more than what we need personally for the purpose of supporting the gospel and being a blessing to others?

 

[amadeus]

If Jesus promises something... does He keep His promises?

If not, that would make Him a liar.

If we are always following God's Way we will have what is needed for us and for others. Do not presume that because a person does not have what he believes he needs to share God with others that he is right and Jesus is a liar.

Of course James 4:3 comes in to play, but the Lord would like for His children to mature enough to be able to handle this world's goods without it causing them to turn from the Lord and/or start treating others badly.

Who is mature enough in God's Way to always handle this world's goods properly and never to err in that handling? Alone... not one of us. Without Him we can do nothing [John 15:5].

While in this world we will need to participate in handling money and material possessions which is very helpful in getting the gospel out as we see Paul speaking of.

Can we not get the gospel out without having money and material possessions? How well is the materially richest nation in the world doing at home when it comes to following God closely?

Jesus has provided more than enough for us to overcome temptations so this should not be an issue for the mature believe

Yes, enough has been provided but how many of us are overcomers as Jesus was an overcomer? For a mature believer it should not be an issue if and when he is leaning very heavily on God. How many of us are regularly doing just that? I make no such claim for myself... I have seen a very few working that way but not lately and seldom on this forum.

Yes, we should be content in our personal lives... so is it wrong to desire to have more than what we need personally for the purpose of supporting the gospel and being a blessing to others?

It would not be wrong to desire money or goods to work the works of God, but I have not seen much of that as a whole in our nation. Would it not be better to always have the Word of God in our mouth to speak it each and every time God provides us with an opportunity to do so? Lots of people in this nation have money to spend beyond their "needs", so why are we not seeing more of our "good" works?

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Would it not be better to always have the Word of God in our mouth to speak it each and every time God provides us with an opportunity to do so?

This will not pay the bills. Yer gonna need some money while living in this world as you already know. Sometimes people we are witnessing to are in dire straights financially and Christians should be able to help them with that.

It's odd to tell someone the Lord Jesus cares for them and then turn around and tell them to leave without helping them with their needs such as food, clothing, and shelter but this is what happens so much of the time.

Lots of people in this nation have money to spend beyond their "needs", so why are we not seeing more of our "good" works?

Very, very few of them (if any) are Spirit filled Christians being led by the Lord... so no, money without the Lord's leading results in greed and sinful behavior.

Yes, enough has been provided but how many of us are overcomers as Jesus was an overcomer?

Christians have no excuse to NOT be overcomers considering the Lord has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Only overcomers will be allowed in to the Lord's Kingdom.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Who is mature enough in God's Way to always handle this world's goods properly and never to err in that handling? Alone... not one of us. Without Him we can do nothing [John 15:5].

Who said anything about doing stuff without the Lord?

 

[amadeus]

This will not pay the bills. Yer gonna need some money while living in this world as you already know. Sometimes people we are witnessing to are in dire straights financially and Christians should be able to help them with that.

I certainly agree that we need to share what we have materially as well as spiritually. When my wife and I were brought to the Lord in 1976, the family witnessed to us with their lives which included materially assistance as well as Bible studies. At the time I was earning probably half again what the breadwinner in that family was earning. The difference was definitely the way they were leaning on the Lord in their lives.

We can decide to do things the right way [=God's Way], but we cannot cause all of the pastors and preachers to teach people what is needed. Prayer makes a difference, but apparently not many people are really praying.

It's odd to tell someone the Lord Jesus cares for them and then turn around and tell them to leave without helping them with their needs such as food, clothing, and shelter but this is what happens so much of the time.

I agree.

Very, very few of them (if any) are Spirit filled Christians being led by the Lord... so no, money without the Lord's leading results in greed and sinful behavior.

I agree.

Christians have no excuse to NOT be overcomers considering the Lord has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Only overcomers will be allowed in to the Lord's Kingdom.

Again, I agree.

 

[amadeus]

Who said anything about doing stuff without the Lord? View attachment 48662

Sorry if you took it that way. I sometimes simply write to the crowd rather than to anyone in particular.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Prayer makes a difference, but apparently not many people are really praying.

It's too bad that we cannot get in to specifically HOW to pray as that offends many who insist in praying a bunch of blah blah that is not even scriptural.

We should be standing on God's promises as though He is not a liar and desires to give us what He has promised. He's honest, so the Lord is not going to say something and then refuse to do what He promised. We should be praying God's Word back to Him when we pray:

Isaiah 43:26
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

God's people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) and where there is no vision or understanding the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). God's people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge (Isaiah 5:13)

I've had people get all bent out of shape when they say "yes, I'm praying!" and I ask them... specifically, WHAT are you praying?

I've found most are praying without any idea of what God has promised or about the warnings He gives in His Word that can cause one's prayers to be ignored by the Lord... such as being in un-forgiveness towards someone or men mistreating their wives.

 

[amadeus]

It's too bad that we cannot get in to specifically HOW to pray as that offends many who insist in praying a bunch of blah blah that is not even scriptural.

We should be standing on God's promises as though He is not a liar and desires to give us what He has promised. He's honest, so the Lord is not going to say something and then refuse to do what He promised. We should be praying God's Word back to Him when we pray:

Isaiah 43:26
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

God's people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6) and where there is no vision or understanding the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). God's people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge (Isaiah 5:13)

I've had people get all bent out of shape when they say "yes, I'm praying!" and I ask them... specifically, WHAT are you praying?

I've found most are praying without any idea of what God has promised or about the warnings He gives in His Word that can cause one's prayers to be ignored by the Lord... such as being in un-forgiveness towards someone or men mistreating their wives.

If we are paying attention God will direct our steps and our prayers but sometimes we don't really want what He has for us... Consider the example of Jesus here:

Mt 26:39

And he went a little farther, 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.

It may never be God's will for us to suffer and die but whatever He says is our cup, we surely need to drink it as Jesus did. Will not God always help us in the worst of times?

 

[Dan Clarkston]

sometimes we don't really want what He has for us...

That's why God gave the Body of Christ the gift of tongues for our private prayer life... for when we know not how to pray.

And we know Jesus was called by the Father to go to the Cross so there was no other way for the cup to pass from before Him.

That's more of a prayer of consecration to further submit Himself to the mission He was sent here for,

Jesus spoke in other places about having to go to the Cross so we know He was fully aware that this is what He must go do.

 

[amadeus]

That's why God gave the Body of Christ the gift of tongues for our private prayer life... for when we know not how to pray.

I fully agree with this. Frequently, usually daily, I pray in tongues.

And we know Jesus was called by the Father to go to the Cross so there was no other way for the cup to pass from before Him.

Yes, it was his calling, but I believe that Jesus in the flesh, like is our flesh, did not want to be tortured and crucified. He added those last words to let us know [his Father already knew] what to do when we are thinking about quitting... that we just cannot continue on the pathway God has set before us for us to follow. For man it may indeed be impossible but God in us, what is impossible?

Mr 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

That's more of a prayer of consecration to further submit Himself to the mission He was sent here for,

Perhaps, each of us or some of us also have a particular mission which God wants us to pursue. He certainly had one for the Apostle Paul who was also man as we are men.

Jesus spoke in other places about having to go to the Cross so we know He was fully aware that this is what He must go do.

Indeed!

 

[Lambano]

29 “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

I think ... I have a different perspective on what Jesus was talking about.

I can't say that I've left family or home or career for Christ's sake and for the sake of the gospel. Nor can I say I have received the promised persecutions (yet). But I have found that I have mothers and brothers and sisters and children and "farms" that I didn't know I had. My wife and I couldn't have children of our own, but God gave me a handful of some wonderful kids who needed someone to drive them to Sunday School and take them to Burger King and tell them about Jesus. My own mother is long gone, but God gave me mothers who just needed someone to sit and talk with them, or someone to do maintenance on their houses and mow their yards. God gave me sisters and brothers who needed someone to drive them where they needed to go, or someone to be the responsible "brother" while they underwent an operation, or someone to provide computer help. (My own "field", and did you hear the one about the farmer who was outstanding in his field?)

I don't know about the "hundred-fold", but I guess that makes me a rich man.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Jesus in the flesh, like is our flesh, did not want to be tortured and crucified.

That was irrelevant to Him as we can see that He submitted Himself to the mission the Father sent Him to fulfill which was going to the Cross.

Jesus is not a weakling like most people today in that He laid aside anything He wanted and was obedient to the Father with no regard for Himself. The Apostles were the same way as they were all killed for the Gospel (except for John).

All they had to do to not die is renounce Jesus which they refused to do.

Apostle Paul who was also man as we are men.

There are very very few men of the same caliber today. So few one could probably count them on their 2 hands.

I get tickled when some falsely claim Paul was a weak sickly kinda guy that could hardly see... what a crock!

This man got attacked and left for dead more than once and got up to continue his ministry obviously knowing how to tap in to God's power and strength to keep going. After Jesus, Paul was one of the toughest guys to ever live.

Nor can I say I have received the promised persecutions

If you have not been fired from jobs, cussed out, and threatened with bodily injury for trying to share the gospel.... it's a good sign you are not teaching the full gospel to anybody. (full gospel = whole counsel of God)

Even people out in the world love the Joel Osteen version which is a false gospel, because that version falsely claims we are so wonderful that the Lord just cannot go on without us which is garbage because He certainly can.

Jesus did say that the way unto live is narrow and few find it... so most people will go to hell meaning many that we witness too are not going to be receptive and those that are will allow the devil to talk them out of believing God's Word and they will end up being lost.

I don't know about the "hundred-fold", but I guess that makes me a rich man.

The Lord does want to prosper His people which enables us to do more concerning spreading the Gospel, but sadly most Christians cannot handle anything beyond just barely being able to get by due to a lack of maturity in their walk with the Lord

And of course satan has been quite successful at deceiving Christians in to believing that the Lord wants them to be very poor and being poor makes on closer to the Lord.

Nobody is going to make in to God's kingdom rich or poor without walking with the Lord in holiness having turned away from living after the flesh. Mark 10:28-30 mirrors Gal 6:7,8... whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap

 

[amadeus]

That was irrelevant to Him as we can see that He submitted Himself to the mission the Father sent Him to fulfill which was going to the Cross.

Jesus knew how to surrender. Do we?

Jesus is not a weakling like most people today in that He laid aside anything He wanted and was obedient to the Father with no regard for Himself. The Apostles were the same way as they were all killed for the Gospel (except for John).

Where is it that any of us derives strength so as not to be a weakling?

Ps 18:32

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

All they had to do to not die is renounce Jesus which they refused to do.

And what is it that each of us must do in order to have Life more abundantly?

Joh 11:26

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

There are very very few men of the same caliber today. So few one could probably count them on their 2 hands.

And where is it that any man obtains such "caliber"?