Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in a recent message, emphasized that earthly riches cannot save a person's soul, drawing from Mark 8:36-37: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" He lamented that many people, including Christians, are consumed with pursuing worldly wealth and glory without considering the eternal fate of their souls.
The Temporary Nature of Earthly Wealth
According to Pastor Muoka, the things of this world have no eternal value. The earth as it is will not remain forever, and humans die daily, leaving this world whether willingly or not. He urged believers to pause and ponder where the departed go and where they themselves will go when death comes. The soul, though housed by the body, operates in the spiritual realm and can only be nourished by spiritual things, which have eternal significance.
Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:19 were cited: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." God did not create humans to die and cease to exist, but to continue life in another realm, either in torment with the devil or in peace with the Maker. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare the soul for the life hereafter through being in Christ and attending church services.
Resisting Temptation
The Bible is emphatic in asking what profit it is to gain the world but lose one's soul. Christians must resist temptations, which come in three areas: lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life. Jesus Christ Himself faced temptations, as recorded in Matthew 4:8-10, where the devil offered Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. Jesus replied, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Temptations must be resisted because they are designed to lead people away from God.
King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 called earthly pursuits "vanity," meaning emptiness in the final result of all life endeavors apart from God. The things of this world are not worth depending on alone without considering eternity.
The Benefits of Serving God
Revelation 21:3-8 enumerates the benefits of serving the Lord: God will dwell with His people, wipe away all tears, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Those who overcome will inherit all things, but the fearful, unbelieving, and wicked will have their part in the lake of fire. Pastor Muoka stressed that God does not want anyone to perish, and believers should anchor their lives on things leading to eternal life with Christ. Earthly wealth or glory will not save souls from hell.
In 1 Timothy 6:10-11, the Bible warns that the love of money is the root of all evil, leading to many sorrows and errors from the faith. Instead, believers should pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.
Testimony: God Uses The Lord's Chosen Sticker to Raise the Dead
Pastor Iren Okechukwu shared a testimony of how God used a sticker from The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries to bring a dead person back to life. The incident occurred in the compound where his wife lives with her landlady, a widow with an only son. The wife bought the sticker and gave it to the landlady, who placed it in her bag. Later, the landlady's son had convulsions and died at the hospital.
On the day of burial, the landlady searched her bag and found the sticker. In anger, she flung it away, and it landed on the dead boy. Immediately, the boy moved his hand, woke up, and opened his eyes. Pastor Okechukwu praised the God of Chosen, declaring the ministry as the pool of Bethsaida, and prayed for the protection of their General Overseer and all members worldwide to make heaven.
