TK Torah Keepers

The Apostle Shaul warned his young spiritual son, Timothy, against those who would use the word of YHWH for their personal gain rather than genuinely serving and building the body of Messiah.  Shaul also warned about those who identify and confuse their wealth as a sign of godliness.

 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Yeshua Messiah, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; ⁴ He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, ⁵ Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:3-7 KJV)

 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴ Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1-7, 9 KJV)

Even in the days of Shaul there were many who realized that “religion” sells. In the days of Shaul and Timothy, the Roman Empire ruled the world. For the genuine believer (i.e., those who keep the Torah and believe in Yeshua as the Messiah) life was very difficult and even dangerous.  Believers were surrounded by the pagan world with all of its licentiousness, perversity, and ungodliness. Believers were persecuted, oppressed, and often poor.  The world of the ancient believer was filled with all manner of gods, demigods, shrines, temples, priests, priestesses, and religious ideologies.  There were many who honestly hungered and thirsted for righteousness, hope and truth.  In their desperation these humbly, honest, hungry souls were vulnerable to those who would prey upon them for personal gain and self-promotion.  The “form of godliness” is easy to imitate, market, sell, and promote to the unsuspecting and vulnerable souls who hunger and thirst for truth and hope.   

 Things have not changed much in modern times.  Even in our day and age there are believers who genuinely hunger and thirst for righteousness truth and hope.  Given the social, political, and financial, violence, injustice, and ugliness that pervades our culture today life as a believer can be challenging and even dangerous.  Various philosophies, ideologies, theologies, and toxic religious systems all vie one with another for adherents, disciples, and donors. We are once again surrounded by gods, priests, priestesses, shrines, temples, cathedrals, synagogues and mosques.  Given the dire social, political and financial situation of many believers they once again hunger and thirst for justice, righteousness, and hope.  It is upon these hungering souls that the less godly prey.  Unfortunately, Shaul’s warnings to Timothy are still very appropriate for us today.  There are still self-promoting false teachers and false prophets that put on the “form of godliness” because they know that religion sells.  These charlatans know that if people are desperate enough and hungry enough they will swallow anything.  Solomon declared,

 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. (Proverbs 27:7 KJV)

 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. (Proverbs 20:17 KJV)     

 It is difficult to watch as the ungodly and wicked seem to prosper and become wealthy in our world. It is difficult not to envy the success, power, fame, wealth, comfort, and extravagant life of the wicked. These master-salesmen and women are able to sell the Torah and the Gospel with great personal success and very little sacrifice.  The desperate soul, hungering for truth and hope, often sell all that they have to eat of the sweet bread of deceit only to find that they have been sold a mouth full of gravel!

 Let me state clearly, that I say all of this as one who makes his living, and supports his family by the teaching the word of YHWH.  I make no apologies for this.  Like every other believer who supports his family, I work for a living.  My work just happens to be teaching and ministering the word.

 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. (Deuteronomy 25:4 KJV)

 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? ⁸ Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? ⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? ¹⁰ Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. ¹¹ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? (1 Corinthians 9:7-11 KJV)

 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. (1 Timothy 5:18 KJV)

 That people make their living from the ministry of the word is not a contradiction of the word.  However, the calling of the ministry of the word must be clear.  The ministry of the word is not a ministry of self-promotion, or self-profiting, or self-serving.  The ministry of the word is the ministry of the sower who sows seed in the hope of an abundant harvest for the sake of the kingdom.  The minister of the word promotes and advances the kingdom of YHWH, and magnifies the name of YHWH, and edifies the body of Messiah.  For the genuine teacher, pastor or evangelist the primary focus is upon building the kingdom, glorifying YHWH, and edifying the body of Messiah, the financial rewards, however great or small, are just the natural fruit of their labor.  For the charlatan, talk of the kingdom of YHWH, the name of YHWH, and the body of Messiah are merely the means by which they promote themselves and make their wealth.  For the genuine teacher and prophet the object of their labor is other than themselves.  For the charlatan the object of their labor is themselves.

 Unfortunately, it is often the charlatan that knows the world and how to manipulate things to accomplish their self-centered agenda.  It truly is as Yeshua our Master taught;

 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. (Luke 16:8 KJV)

 Though the worldly, wicked, and ungodly, do prosper in this world we are warned repeatedly not to covet or envy their wealth and achievements. 

 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of YHWH all the day long. (Proverbs 23:17 KJV)

 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. (Proverbs 3:31 KJV)

 The Psalmist reveals why this is so.

 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. ³ For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. ⁶ Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. ⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ⁸ They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. ⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. ¹¹ And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? ¹² Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. ¹³ Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. ¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. ¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. ¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; ¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. ¹⁸ Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. ¹⁹ How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. ²⁰ As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. ²¹ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. ²² So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. ²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:2-24 KJV)

 While worldly wealth may bring with it certain worldly benefits and comforts, of what value are they if they separate us from the Father? Of what value is gold, silver, and copper if in the end the Sovereign Creator of the universe despises you?  What joy and pleasure could be endured knowing that in the end it will cost you everything?  Yeshua our Master asked;

 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26 KJV)

 We may likewise recall Yeshua teaching about those who call “Lord, Lord”.

 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV)

 Surely Yeshua is speaking of those who use his name to promote themselves and gather their wealth at the cost of the kingdom and the body of Messiah. 

 We would do well to heed the loving wisdom of our Heavenly Father as revealed in the scriptures.

 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. (Psalm 37:16 KJV)

 Better is little with the fear of YHWH than great treasure and trouble therewith. (Proverbs 15:16 KJV)

 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. (Proverbs 16:8 KJV)

 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:19 KJV)

 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. (Proverbs 19:1 KJV)

 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. (Proverbs 19:22 KJV)

 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (Proverbs 28:6 KJV)

 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. (Proverbs 25:7 KJV)

 While I will most ardently confess, that I enjoy knowing that I have the provisions to put a roof over my families head, clothes on our backs, food on the table, and means to not only survive but enjoy life, and especially to be generous with others, all of these would quickly become a curse to me, if they separated me from the Creator.  No amount of fame, power, or wealth can replace and rival the security, peace, and joy to be found in a relationship with the Father, as made possible by the Messiah Yeshua.  There is no greater honor to be found, than being associated with the great and exalted name of YHWH.  There is no greater love or life to be found anywhere in creation that could rival that which emanates from the Father.  Let the world and worldly have their silver and gold, fame and fortune, I desire only intimacy with YHWH.