Many today are already spiritually marked with the "mark of the beast," which, in part, is the love of money.

Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is (like a wicked one) a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. Proverbs 28:15-16

Thoughts for the Day

These verses from Proverbs tell us that a ruler who is wicked is like a wild, hungry animal that is looking to devour its prey. They are without God's understanding and are oppressors; however, if rulers hate covetousness and unjust gain, they will reign longer and live longer.

Wicked people who rule in positions of authority who are covetous, will always oppress those under them. These kinds of rulers never think about the poor, but rather use them for their own selfish means. They really are like a "beastly" animal. In the book of Revelation, the Lord uses the description of a "beast" to describe a system that will rule in the earth. The root of this system is ruled by the love of money. This love of money is not only a snare to rulers, but also a snare to the poor as well. It is also a snare to the church. Many today are already spiritually marked with the "mark of the beast," which, in part, is the love of money.

Revelation 13:16-17:
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This buying and selling is the monetary system of the world. The majority of people today are chasing after money. They are seeking the things of this world, such as newer cars and bigger houses. They are seeking what the Gentiles were seeking in Matthew 6:31-32 (the things of this world). It makes no difference whether they are rich or poor; the poor want it too, but simply do not know how to get it. This "beastly" system has everybody seeking the wrong god. They are buying so they can sell, and selling so they can buy. The stock market, the whole monetary system, is filled with that. Those who have placed their trust in that system are "marked with the beast."

As Christians, we buy and sell. But we are not buying and selling our souls like the rest of the world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world (John. 17:14-16). We touch and handle the things of this world, but it is not in our hearts; it is not a part of us. We are not marked with the "beast" system. As totally dedicated Christians, when God asks us to do anything, we lay everything down, leaving it behind, as we go and do what He has asked. We are able to forsake all, because we are not marked with the "mark of the beast;" we are not caught up in the love of money. We are not caught up in the buying and selling, because we know our true riches are in heaven. We can use the things of this world, but those things are not what rules us. Our greatest treasure is our love of God.

The "beast" system has infiltrated the church through carnal Christians. These carnal, worldly Christians are puzzled by other Christians not seeking after money. They are surprised when some will not sell out for money. Some people try to buy men, even in the church. Those who are not committed believers will sell out. There are pastors who will not deal with an elder's sin because that elder has a lot of money. The beast system is ruling their hearts. Such pastors are not wholly serving the Lord; they are part of the "beast" system. Many ministries will sell out for money. They will go minister where they can receive the largest offering, rather than where God might ask them to go. They are not being led by the Spirit of God. The true church will not sell out; she had rather die, than sell out for money. The love of money has been the downfall of many, many ministers. Such men never got the "beast" system out of their hearts; they never crucified their flesh, so the enemy used the love of money to defeat them, and to cause them to deceive many other people, as well. But those who have the mind of Christ and are doing the works of God with their hands are not going to sell out to the "beast" system. They are worshiping the true and living God. They are remaining faithful to God Almighty, rather than committing spiritual adultery by loving the things of this world.

Many Christians have sold out to the "beast" system by allowing its lusts and pleasures to consume most of their time and money. They have money for the things they desire, but do not have the money to tithe and give to God. Although there have been abuses in the area of preachers manipulating God's people to give (which is the "beast" system in such ministers), we still are not excused, if we fail to obey God in the realm of giving. When we allow money to rule us, then we have been marked by "beastly" thinking. The true bride of Christ will love her God in all areas of her life and not be like a "beast" who ravages others and sells out for money.