is for us to have fear and present ourselves to Him In short, God is tapping us We only had money in our minds. we only had our livelihood in our minds. And now, money can't do anything. The term "money answers everything" cannot be an answer to COVID-19. Of course, if you have money, you can buy at the grocery, you will have food—that's all. Now, even if you want to buy a TV, you won't find an open store that sells it. Even refrigerator and air conditioner, you won't find an open store for it You want to build your house, you won't find a laborer for it All of your money won't do anything for you. You can only look at it, but you won't be able to spend it. Why? Money can't do anything. What Solomon said, that money answers everything— not at all times. There are times, especially nowadays, the Bible says, "perilous time will come in the last days" which means that money can't be of help most of the time. But I assure you, God can do something. Because the thing that money can't do, God can, and it is only Him that can do. Only God can. In situations like this, who will be able to heal you if you have a disease like that (COVID-19)? If you have that kind of disease, it's okay that the doctor can help a little, praise the Lord! Thank you to all the frontliners. But only God can heal. A doctor has already said it, "If God won't heal it, you won't get well at all. Even if we treat it, it won't get cured". These doctors know that only God can heal, and only God allows it. All these things will not happen if God didn't allow it, not money, but God allows it. No matter how much money you have, when God has allowed that money to be useless, It will be, God can. To show you that your money won't always help you. That in everything we asked, only God can answer. That's why people nowadays are godly because of fear and contented because money can't do anything about this situation. And being godly, you must remember that— Ecclesiastes 6:7 says, That money can satisfy your mouth, it can satisfy your flesh, it can satisfy your eyes, it can satisfy your body, but not your soul— never your soul. Your money has nothing to do with your soul. When it comes to our soul, to our spiritual aspects, money has nothing to do. Money can't do anything with it And that's what Solomon felt, he knew he had everything. He had everything that a man wants: money, gold. He had it. But he came to the point that he said it's useless, why? It cannot do anything with his spiritual aspect, with his soul. His money can't save him. When it comes to the salvation of souls, money can't do anything That's why in Matthew 4:4, the Lord Himself said it, when He was being tempted by the demon, "if You are the Son of God, turn this stone into bread", Imagine, he wants Him to turn the stone into a loaf of bread? Well the Lord can even turn satan into bread. But the Lord didn't give in, what did He say? Matthew 4:4, Man shall not live by bread along. You may need bread, but not only that, but every Word of God. The Word of the Lord that goes through the mouth of the preacher. That's what we need. Especially the rich people, you really lack it. Do you believe that many rich people that have a strong and healthy body but have malnourished souls? Because money can't feed your soul, only the Word of God can feed it. That's why God is removing our attention to money There's nothing wrong with making a living, He Himself in 1 Timothy has said not to feed the idlers. But that doesn't mean that we have to spend all our time working and money is all that we care about. Because time will come that money cannot answer everything Just like now, what can your money do? It's okay, you will be able to buy food, but only limited food. All the luxurious things that you can have before, you can't have it now. You can't do it now. Why? Money can't do anything. God has allowed that everything is closed, why? "For the people to see Me, to notice Me." That's why God is getting the people's attention. Not to torment us, but to give us a way. God is making a way for us to come to Him because He knows that without Him, we can't do anything. That's why God is making a way, but by this. We can say that it's not easy, but let it be, just so we can be sure that we can get to Him Because whether we like it or not, that's the end of our road. It will be spiritual, it'll be with God When we die, we're going to stand before God. And we need to be ready with it. Though we need to be ready for what is in the world, it must not to the extent of doing something bad just to have money. What we need to prepare for is when we meet our Lord. You really need to be ready and make sure that your soul will be in a better place and not to get lost. For your information, brothers and sisters, there are only two places that we can end up in. Luke chapter 16 says there's only two, either hell or heaven. Do not hope on getting to the middle, there's no such thing as that. Please don't get offended, there's no such word as purgatory in the Bible, only hell and heaven, and the choice is yours. The choice is ours, not God's. You get to hell because you choose it. You get to heaven because you choose it. And when you choose, it's not when you have already died. It's when you are still alive that you will get to choose your own destination. As long as you're still alive, you need to prepare yourself If you are wise, you will prepare yourself. I repeat, there's nothing wrong in preparing for our future with money, it's okay. But don't spend it all there. Because now God is revealing Himself. And He is showing us that money can't do anything with COVID-19. Nothing at all. If God will not allow you to get cured, though there's already a medicine, you will still die. God is in control of our lives. COVID-19 has no hold on your life. Even if you caught that virus, but if God didn't allow you to die, you will not die. What's important is the Lord's decision for you, if you will live or if He will let you die. And if you will ask God, what will He say? John 10:10, "...I have come that they may have life", and it's very clear. "A life full of happiness." What does it mean? You are sure you are safe, We have to give and share what we have to the poor. Why? Jesus Christ Himself said, Matthew 25:35—40 So in other words, Jesus said in that verse,
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I needed clothes and you clothed me" "...and whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me" In short, the Lord is looking for something from us The Lord wants us to do what we need to do, especially nowadays. He permitted money to be useless except for buying food. Now, we're here. And you're the one who has the means to help, what are you going to do? The Lord is watching if you're going to feed your hungry brethren. And if you're going to give to those who are in need. That's what the Lord is asking us Whatever you do to your brethren, you’re doing it to Christ. This is the time to prove your 'I love You, Lord' through helping the less fortunate— less fortunate brethren, countrymen who have almost nothing to eat. That's what the Lord is looking for from us right now. And if we're going to give— 2 Corinthians 9:11-13, the bible says, Because of the help that you're giving out, many people are giving thanks to the Lord They're giving thanks because they've seen that God is alive. That He answers When our hands are reaching out to help others, people see that God is alive. They know that only God can do such a thing; to make people think of helping others. Only God can do that. And you will be surprised to see that many people will be thanking God. And God is pleased because people are thanking Him And God will save those who are thanking Him. Verse 13 says, Meaning, when you give or extend helping hands, many will give thanks to God—that's number one— and shout that He's alive, for proving that He is an answering God. And second, when you obey the Gospel of Christ through giving, it glorifies God. It's like displaying the Gospel. Because the Gospel, according to John 3:16, He gave His only begotten Son, He Himself. In short, it has been said that the Son of God, but the Lord Himself was manifested in flesh for our sake. We never asked for it, but the Lord gave it. That's how He loved mankind, and that's the Gospel, it is giving. And the Lord wants to see that Gospel. The Lord wants to see the Gospel of giving. He wants everyone to be a giver and that they won't withhold it, but instead, with open arms in extending help to those who need it. Oh yes, you may have many cars and plenty of money, there's no problem with it. But what are you going to do? This is the time. I'm really thankful, if I'm not mistaken, congressmen or senators have given 75% of their salaries to the poor. That's good, thank you so much. God is really pleased with what you have done. And hopefully, all of you who are rich, will open your doors as well. I implore you, and I'm not insulting you, God is knocking on your doors. That your hearts will be opened to help our countrymen who are in need. Our brethren are suffering now. May we open our hearts. In as much as we could, our Church is extending our help to those who are in need. Even Pastora and I, we're helping out, we're trying our best to add as much as we could on the cash assistance that we're sending to our brethren. Because I want to use the Gospel that I'm preaching, to use it to myself. And I believe that this is the right time to display it. That God has blessed you, not only for yourself. That He wants you to be a channel of blessing to help those who are in need. This is a test for all the rich people, how you're going to move and how you're going to help, primarily to your brethren who are in need, second, to the citizens who are in need. How are we going to help? This the time that we can show God that we love Him. It's easier for us to give help when everything is okay. But that doesn't leave a mark. Because people are in need nowadays. That the people's hunger could almost cause a riot. So we really need to give it to them. I thank our government who is helping us. But time will come that it would not sustain the needs of the Filipino. And hopefully, we all help each other— the Church will help, the rich people will help, and the government. If we will all help each other, I believe we can overcome it until COVID-19 is gone or til the Lord comes. Helpings hands are what we need, not closed hands. And in giving, the Lord said in 2 Corinthians 9:7, Do not give just because you've been pressured to do so, that's not good And to those who are soliciting, please do not cause any pressure on these people. Giving should not be from pressure, but from the heart. The Lord wants the people to give from their hearts. Cheerfulness in giving should be there and it should not be from pressure. And people should not be pressured when it comes to giving I use the term implore. I am imploring you, to all of you who are rich and listening out there. I am hoping that your hearts may be opened and share to others what you have. I am not saying that you share everything, nor 1%, nor 2%, no, it's up to you. It depends on how much faith you have, that's how you will help the poor and the needy. I'm not in the position to give you a percentage of how much you should give because I am not the owner; you are the owner and God owns it. The Lord wants it from your heart and not from pressure. And most of all, cheerfulness should be there. You give, not because you are pressured but because it comes from your heart. If you give just because you are pressured, this is what the Lord says, He loves those who give from their heart and not because of pressure. You give because you cheerfully want to give. To remind you is okay, but to cause pressure, that's not good That's why I always say—I repeat, "I am imploring my fellow countrymen." I'm imploring you, my fellow countrymen who have the means, I hope that you can share for the poor and needy brethren. That way we can show that there's a God. And that way we can give back to the Lord and say "You have blessed me, Lord, now it's my turn to bless the others." "My turn to bless the needy, to bless those who have nothing to eat." "Now is the time to do my part" And I hope that that's what we have in our minds and hearts. I know that all you, rich people, want to give but sometimes, you're not sure where to send it. Sometimes you cannot trust, because sometimes, you don't know what happened to the things that you're given, and that's true. And hopefully, to those who are entrusted with the goods, please do not take advantage of it. Please don't! That's too much! You don't know how hungry these people are, and you'll take it away from them?! People should have it and you'll take it from them?! God! Please, I do not judge you, my friend, but please, don't do it. These people are pitiful. You can see that they're not eating, so pitiful. And then you'll take it away from them?! Don't! To those who do that awful thing, i'm not pertaining to all But to those who do that, please don't. Please don't do that, it's not good The best thing to do is to give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and to give God what is for God. It's for the poor, give it to them. Nothing less. As to how the government gives it, let's give it to them as it is. So that the people can have something to eat. It's only food that people ask. They're not asking for any luxurious things, only food to eat. And hopefully, we'll have a heart when it comes to this. I repeat, this is not the time to blame and judge each other. This is not the time to insult others. This is the time for our hearts to unite in helping our countrymen, in helping our fellow Filipinos that suffers and hungers. With all that we can do, with all our faith, give as to how much faith you have. At least, if we could unite in helping, we would be able to help everyone. We could also help the government. Let's not put everything on the government's shoulders because the government doesn't have that capacity. We're not like Japan, China, and the US that has the means, our government is not the same as them. And hopefully, we can also help them so that all of us can contribute. Churches should also help too. At least help your brethren. Help if you can. there are churches that weren't able to save money and need help, let's give them a hand. This is a time of helping and not the time of blaming each other This is not the time to judge each other. This is not the time to go on separate ways. This is the time to become one with our faith. So that we can show God and not to man. Show God—the One Who gives life to us, the One Who gives breath to us each and every day, we need to show Him. Show Him our love for each other. It has been said by Him, "if you cannot love God that can't be seen, what more to those that you can see?" If you really love God, show your love for Him to those people that you can see. Show your love. And it'll be like showing your love for the God that you cannot see. You can't see Him, so show it to those that you can see. That's why He said, "Whatever you did to your brethren, you did it to Me," your brethren is the one that you can see. You also see what's happening. You can see their needs, so do good to them, "you did it to Me though I don't need it, you did it to Me" Because that love, the good that you have done, Everybody knows that God is good. So when you help those in need, that is good And when you say "good" that is God. That's what it means You are displaying God when you do good things. You are showing that there is a God, and that He is good. He's done it already, He had given Himself. Now, it's our turn. God won't come down here to give people money. He knows that He has blessed some people to help the less fortunate. And this is the time to display our love for them. No one can outdo what God has done for us, He is sinless. But He gave His life for us. God doesn't choose whether you're rich or poor, whether you're wise or not. He gave His life so that we can be saved. Hopefully, at this point, we should not choose Whoever needs help, let's help them with all that we can. Except that we don't have the means to help, we can't do anything with that. God will take care of that part. But at least, we can show the Lord, from our hearts, that we want to help. So to all of us, our fellow Filipino, please! I repeat, I am knocking at your doors. Hopefully, we can love our country. Because loving our country, is not literally loving the country but the people itself. Because the people in the country, have feelings, and that's what can sense goodness. In fact, when you say God's goodness, the goodness of the Lord is visible. The nature around us came from His goodness, and He gave it all for us. So that the people today, would be the one to show goodness to each and everyone that has feelings and needs help. We should show it to them What are you going to do with the money that you can only look at? You can't even use it. You can no longer buy 50 kilos of pork. You can't even stock groceries in your house, so it will be much better if share it. Share a little of it so that it can help our countrymen, our brethren. And in that part, the Lord is reminding how He is. And that's the Gospel of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:1—4. And how I wish all people around the world believe in the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is about the death of Christ. He died for your sins, and He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again. You have to believe in that. But to believe is not enough. After you believed, you have to obey the Gospel of Christ by applying it to yourself. How to apply? Number one, you have to repent. You must repent, and everybody must repent because everybody has committed sins. And repentance represents the Death of Christ. And second, you must be baptized and it represents the Burial of Christ. And number three, you must receive the Holy Ghost and it represents the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. So to all of you who wants to accept the Lord, That's the first thing that you're going to do is believe. Please repeat after me. Just close your eyes and raise your right hand. Please repeat after me Lord Jesus, I come to You today, recognizing how sinner I am. I've been doing my will and disregarding Your Holy Word in the past. But now, I have to come to accept You as my Lord and my Savior. I'm ready to renounce my unrighteousness and turn from my sins to be able to enter into Your Kingdom, oh God. Lord, I believe that You have died on the cross, was buried, and on the third day, You rose again. And I believe that the power of the Holy Ghost fill me up, as I begin a new life with You, oh God. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen and Amen. So praise the Lord, brothers and sisters. Thank you so much that we're able to finish our Worship Service for today. And may the Lord bless us all. Thank you so much to those who continue to support us. I know that you're all struggling, but still, you support us. May the Lord bless you all. And I will continue to say to all our satellite churches who are watching us, send your tithes and offerings to your pastor, not here in the Main Church, but to your pastor. And to all who are not To God be the Glorians who are watching, give your tithes and offerings to your church so it could help you all. Thank you all so much for watching. And till next week, on Thursday, please tune in to our General Bible Study with our series, "The Heroes of Faith." Thank you so much! And God bless you all!
