It’s said that everyone has a price. I assume that’s a price for anything. So, let’s say someone wants to buy your soul. Would you sell your soul for five thousand dollars? If you’re American – and if you vote in the next election – it seems the offer is on the table. Sure – vote the “right” way, and you get $5,000 if you vote for the winning party. But here’s an even more slippery issue – vote the “wrong” way – and you still get the $5,000 if your party loses! But how about this option – vote the “right” way – your party loses – you get $0 – but you’ve still sold your soul – for nothing, in more ways than one.
So many ways to sell your soul! But – did you grasp all of them?
I chose “grasp” for a reason. If this plan goes through, if it’s “deemed legal”, we can grasp the opportunity. And then, even if we vote the other way, there’s still the opportunity that we could grasp to $5,000.
Let’s check it out, and maybe you can think about what you’ll do when the opportunities come – if they come. Especially if you’re Christian – and especially since the party that’s pushing for these opportunities claims to be such great “Christians” and so great for “Christianity”. Maybe the greatest ever?
If you haven’t heard or read about this – or if you’ve only heard about extreme partisan reports – let me boil this down to the uncomplicated reality that Christians can and should focus on.
[President Trump] pledged to give $5,000 to every adult in the U.S. if Republicans can retain their House and Senate majorities on Nov. 3.
That’s all I’m going to say about it from the article – or any other article. Everything I’ve read or heard has been from a political/partisan point of view.
What is a Christian Viewpoint of $5,000 for winning an election?
Let’s look at probably the two best known verses that apply to this situation for Christians. One is about money. The other is about our allegiance.
Let’s begin with money.
Love of Money – 1 Timothy
1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Notice – This passage does not say that money is the root of all evil. It does say: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
So – it’s the love of money that can drive us to sell our souls.
It’s also the love of money, being so focused on the money, that can prevent us from realizing the reality that we are selling our souls. In this case – maybe selling our souls for as little as $5,000. But worse – in reality, for a chance at grasping $5,000.
If you’re not Christian, you maybe won’t understand what I just wrote. You might want to consider reading more – to find out.
In any case, this is directed to those who truly want to follow Jesus. Plus, those who read the line above and want to learn more.
Now, let’s turn to another source Christians should consider in this $5,000 voting offer – allegiance.
My Kingdom is …
As Christians, we hope our eternal destination is in God’s Kingdom. Somewhere in our journey to become mature Christians, we also realize that even in this life, we are already – to varying degrees – part of God’s Kingdom.
I know – that probably sounds weird. We hope to have eternal life in God’s Kingdom – and yet I’m saying we are already part of that Kingdom. It’s something Christian theologians call the “already but not yet paradox“.
That has a meaning that might be something we don’t often think of. Our allegiances in this life do mean something. However, there’s also a larger, overarching allegiance that we shouldn’t forget. One we hope to have, in full, in the next life – while we also begin to experience it in this life – is our allegiance to the One we call King – Jesus.
Really – the King? Well, yes. Let’s look at just two passages where we see the reference.
Jesus spoke of His Kingdom
Here’s the entire passage from John’s Gospel, to see Jesus’ response to the Roman government when asked if He was a King.
Jesus Before Pilate – John
18:29-40 pp — Mt 27:11-18, 20-23; Mk 15:2-15; Lk 23:2, 3, 18-25
Jn 18:28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
Jn 18:30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
Jn 18:31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
Jn 18:33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jn 18:34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
Jn 18:35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jn 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Jn 18:37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Jn 18:38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
Jn 18:40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
That’s quite clear. Jesus said He is a King – but not a king of this world. Rather – Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven.
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
Jesus is also referred to as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS in Revelation. The context and timing of this passage is greatly disputed, so I’m not going to get into that part of it today. Rather, I just want to point out that this is part of John’s vision.
The Rider on the White Horse – Revelation
Rev 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.”
Who is your King?
And there you have it. God’s Kingdom, this life and the next. Jesus, the King.
We, if we’re Christians, are left with a decision. Who is our King? An earthly king – offering us $5,000? Or The Heavenly King, offering eternity in His Kingdom?
Is this overreacting? Would you sell your soul for five thousand dollars?
Remember – $5,000 – for a vote. The love of money, the root of all kinds of evil. No, I’m not overreacting. Not overstating things.
Maybe you remember what Peter wrote:
To Elders and Young Men – 1 Peter
…
1Pe 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
…
Yes – Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
So, yes – the devil is looking to take you away from Jesus at every opportunity. No – this one, by itself, isn’t going to do that. And yet, if this one is one of many, if you establish a pattern, you will drift from the narrow path to God’s eternal Kingdom, and start to pull you towards the wide path to destruction. So – it does matter.
The choices and why they matter.
Let’s begin with how you vote.
Vote for the party of the person offering the money
If the deciding factor is the promise of money, and the love of money is what led you to that vote, it’s time to do some soul searching.
I realize that many Christians believe that this person was raised up by God to lead us at this time. But honestly, do you realize what “raised up” meant in the Bible. Pharaoh was raised up by God. Nebuchadnezzar was raised up by God. Both were used by God to bring destruction to His people – who walked away from Him – but then later they were destroyed. Being raised up wasn’t a good thing for them. Or for their people. I invite you to check out my article, God raised you up for this purpose. What does that mean? for more on that.
Vote for the other party
A vote for the other party means you aren’t going to be a victim of the issue above. But, that’s not the end of concern for you.
Who wins the election?
So – let’s turn next to examine the possibilities, depending on who wins the election.
The party of the person offering the money loses
OK, let’s say the party offering the $5,000 loses. The reality then is that no one gets anything, regardless of how they voted.
Now, the question, if this is who you voted for, how do you feel about it, especially if you voted with an expectation of winning? Remember, God didn’t make the offer. No matter what anyone says – even if it’s a famous/influential Christian Pastor – we cannot link God to this offer. So please – don’t get mad at Him. Having said that, if you do get mad at God, it’s time to go look in the mirror. Do some soul searching.
The party of the person offering the money wins
This is probably the most difficult scenario for a Christian.
If you voted for that party – you already need to consider what they stand for – not in words but in actions. Although – now that I typed that – in words as well.
This next passage is titled “Murder” – but it’s about far less than murder. And yes, I do mean less. Just read it and you’ll see.
Murder – Matthew
5:25, 26 pp — Lk 12:58, 59
Mt 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Mt 5:23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Mt 5:25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
So – consider everything from the words the person offering the money uses when he doesn’t like someone. The things he calls them and says about them. Consider the court cases to try to avoid even facing charges, and the court cases to appeal after losing the few that are faced. Consider the misery brought on people, whether it’s people who lose welfare assistance, health insurance, don’t get a living wage, get deported and are sent to a country they’ve never ever been in.
Think about who your King is by your own words – and then consider who your king is by your actions.
But – there’s more.
Even if you voted for the other party – not the one who offered the money, you stand to receive the $5,000. Let me ask you – what will you do with it?
May I suggest a charity that truly does good work, with a low administrative overhead?
However …
There is a “however” to this scenario. If the past tells us anything, this offer will never come to fruition. Even if the “right” party wins – the money likely won’t be paid.
The legality of it – buying votes, at its core – will have to be decided.
And then there’s the reality that previous offers to send out money never happened. No tariff checks, from the huge amounts collected. Maybe, just maybe, that’s because whatever money was collected wasn’t enough to keep the debt from going up more than one trillion dollars?
Oh – BTW – this one offer is predicted to cost another $1.3 Trillion dollars.
Oops.
If you’d like to get a deeper understanding of the way these kinds of politics and a certain flavor of Christianity go together, please take a look at: Let Your “Yes” Be “Yes”: Deconstructing the Doublespeak of Modern “Christian” Politics.
Conclusions: Would you sell your soul for five thousand dollars?
I hope you see some of the issues now for Christians in this offer.
Will the love of money win out – take us off the narrow path and move us to the wide path?
Or will we realize what’s going on here – rededicate ourselves not to the “king”, but to “The King”. The one our faith, belief, and hope is based on?
Paul points this out:
Life Through the Spirit – Romans
Ro 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
This is exactly what I meant by being drawn away from the narrow path leading to the eternal Kingdom of God – and towards the wide path that leads to destruction.
Yes, this is a “small” thing. By itself, it won’t be a make or break situation.
However, it does say something about our allegiance.
It says something about which king we follow – “the king” or “The King”.
And let’s be honest – the things we think, say, and do – they’re all part of a pattern in our lives – a trend that shows where we’re going.
Ultimately, am I telling you what to do?
Yes, although maybe not the way you think.
I’m not telling you how to vote.
I’m not telling you what to do with the money.
I’m just telling you – if you’re a Christian, in the true sense of the word, don’t forget about God.
I’m also suggesting, if you’re not Christian, please – take a look at God – maybe another look if you already tried and didn’t like what you saw before. There really was a time when the Good News of the Gospel was Good News. The problem now isn’t that the Good News changed, or that God changed. No, the problem now is that too many of those who claim to be messengers don’t get the message correct.
🙏🙏🙏
Discover more from Which god can save?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.