Ask Dr. Jeanette™

Success On “The Way”

“Who Are You Trying To Impress?’

When the scriptures speak of “mammon,” it’s talking about “riches.” It is an Aramaic word and takes in and refers to all of our possessions. In reading this verse ( “Matthew 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” This is a common verse often referred to in the Christian faith. It is NOT saying we cannot have riches; but rather that we are not to worship and serve riches. Sometimes when you read it, you immediately think it’s talking about “worship.” If we put anything before God and take into hand that we are serving that “thing,” it becomes worship and takes priority to everything else. It’s so crafty, it’s sometimes  difficult to distinguish “are we putting things before God? Who/what are we trying to impress? Who are we modeling? 1 Timothy 6: 17-19  Teach those who are blessed with worldly riches to not think themselves more than or bigger than others. Do not be highminded. Do not trust in riches as your “savior,” because mammon and trusting in it leads to uncertainty. Riches cannot save us. Even if we give magnanimously, graciously. 

Our salvation is in the Living God, who rewards us with all things exceedingly above all we can think or imagine. His blessings are unlimited going on into the heavenly realm. Not only that, but we can have joy immeasurable.  We are taught not to store up (don’t be a hoarder) material things to the extent that we’re no longer depending on “things,’ but store up for the heavenly riches as our earthly and heavenly reward. What does that mean? We “learn” to not only do good, but to think good. Guarding our minds by being watchful of  thoughts coming into our minds. Our thoughts both spoken and unspoken take on a real effect on our actions and what we think of ourselves and what others think of us. If we speak harshly consistently, the audience hears that. If we speak convincingly, using words which are heard and can be modeled as positive impressions, that’s important. You know the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13. Even though we give everything to the poor, but do not hold the element of genuine love; even if we sacrifice our bodies for burning, that’s not the answer. It’s about Christ. He is our teacher…our guide…our one and only savior. He is the Potentate, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the way, the truth and the life. There’s no other pathway. 

If you have friends no matter how important they are seen to be in this world, they cannot save you and not only that but we have a responsibility to teach them about the importance of their life in Christ.  We can act ever so Godly, but if it’s just “putting on of a face,” and not sincere, it will get us nowhere. It’s like we need to cleanse our minds and thoughts of hateful, vindictive, greedy, angry thoughts. 1 Corinthians Ch. 13 speaks of not thinking bad thoughts about others and we do not provoke others to anger and implementing angry acts. I tell you “anger” is severe,  difficult to cleanse and wash out. Do good. Pray for guidance by the Holy Spirit for our day by day steps to avoid pitfalls and deception. Thanks for reading.

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Jeanette Grattan Parker Ph.d-Founder-Superintendent
Today’s Fresh Start Charter School
4514 Crenshaw blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA 90043.
www.todaysfreshstart.org

Weekly Columnist for LA Sentinel News
askdrjeanette.successontheway@gmail.com

^“Inquiring Minds Want To know.”© All rights reserved. Partial Scripture list references: Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School:4514 Crenshaw BL, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org Dr. Jeanette’s Articles are copyright. All rights reserved. Inquiring Minds Want To Know” © Ask Dr. Jeanette (^TM) www.Ask Dr.Jeanetteparker.com. Askdrjeanette.successontheway@gmail.com. Let me know. Dr. Jeanette also writes a weekly article for The Los Angeles Sentinel News. Dial in Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751}