Greed Is Good?

With the cuts to Medicaid and Food Stamps, those in favor of the cuts say they are TIRED of PAYING for LAZY people to have a free ride on their tax dollars. Voices on the other side who are against the cuts say it is a lifeline for those who are struggling financially. Two sides to every story, right? Who is right? The intentions of the cuts are to STOP the waste, fraud, and abuse of the system, or is it? Is there a way to know? The other side of stopping the waste, fraud, and abuse is good old GREED. Can this be a possibility?

Who could forget the catchphrase “Greed is good” from the 1987 movie Wall Street. In the movie, Gordon Gekko says, “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good”. The phrase has become a symbol of unrestrained greed in popular culture. In the movie two handsome men, Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas, do whatever it takes to make money in the illegal and lucrative world of the stock market. The image of power and obtaining money, even if it outside of the law looks glamorous sparking a culture of people wanting to do the same in their lives. Entertainment became a goal.

The definition of greed is simple. It is the intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. Can you identify with the definition. In today's culture the young people often say they are "getting their bag,' or "getting those coins." They have their mind on the money and money on their minds.

The 1980s saw a significant rise in this mentality, especially within the financial sector, leading to the "decade of greed" label. While the phrase "greed is good" is modern, some argue that the idea of using self-interest to drive economic progress can be traced back to earlier philosophers like Bernard Mandeville. 

Bernard Mandeville, born November 15, 1670 - January 21, 1733, was an Anglo-Dutch philosopher, political economist, satirist, writer and physician. Essentially, Mandeville called for politicians to ensure that the passions of man would result in a public benefit. It was his stated belief in the Fable of the Bees that "Private Vices by the dexterous Management of a skillful Politician may be turned into Publick Benefits". The Fable of the Bees, as a satire, the poem and commentary point out the hypocrisy of men who promulgate ideas about virtue while their private acts are vices.

In the poem, Mandeville describes a bee community thriving until the bees are suddenly made honest and virtuous. Without their desire for personal gain their economy collapses, and the remaining bees go to live simple lives in a hollow tree, thus implying that without private vices there exists no public benefit.

Mandeville presented a real-life situation in nature where to survive you must at all costs put yourself and self-gain first or you will suffer demise. This is contrary to what Christians are taught in the Bible. In Christianity, selfish desires are considered a sin. The saying there is two sides to everything holds true for every situation it seems. The deciding factor is CHOICE and CHARACTER. What will a person choose when presented two options and why.

The Bible has many verses that warn against greed, including the dangers of being obsessed with money and power.

       Ecclesiastes 5:10 "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never                   satisfied with their income." 

       1 Timothy 6:10" For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 

       Proverbs 28:25 "The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper." 

       Mark 8:36 "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" 

• Luke 12:15 "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."
• Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." 

The Bible teaches greed is a selfish desire to have more of something, often money or power. Greed is a gateway to every kind of evil. Generosity is a sign of a lack of greed, while stinginess and withholding are a sign of its presence. The Bible encourages contentment with what one has.

In fact, greed is one of the seven deadly sins. According to the standard list, the seven deadly sins in Roman Catholic Church are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth, all excessives. Some economists and evolutionary theorists, however, suggest that greed is a good thing for stimulating the economy, and greed may give people an evolutionary advantage (more resources = better chances of survival).

Research has also connected greed with lower emotional stability and self-esteem, with less trust in others. As mentioned, greedier people have reported shorter romantic relationships and smaller families, and having good social relationships is crucial to wellbeing – even more so than having a good income.

Far too often, greed comes with stress, exhaustion, anxiety, depression and despair. In addition, it can lead to maladaptive behavior patterns such as gambling, hoarding, trickery, and even theft. In the corporate world, as John Grant wrote, “fraud is the daughter of greed". Research also shows that both greed and self-interest are related to more materialism, more psychological entitlement, more psychopathy, less perspective taking, and less emphatic concern, which also makes sense theoretically because both greedy and self-interested people focus on the fulfillment of their own needs.

How does it feel to be greedy?

Constant Desire for More: If you find yourself always wanting more--whether it's money, possessions, or attention--this could be a sign of greed.
Difficulty Sharing: If you struggle to share resources, time, or attention with others, it might indicate a greedy mindset.
Feeling Unfulfilled.
Prioritizing Self-Interest.
Having dreams or goals of being financially stable or even having an abundance of wealth is different from greed. Greed is intense and at ALL costs. Yes, setting goals can be good because it can help you be more focused, motivated, and successful. Goals can help you visualize your future, plan actions, and track your progress. We are limitless in the goals we may have and achieve but when they come at the expense of others is when the goals become sinful and evil in nature, and not Christian.

The Bible teaches we are to care about the welfare of others. In the Bible, "brother's keeper" is a command and a blessing. It appears in the Bible when Cain asks God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" after Cain kills his brother Abel in the book of Genesis. "Brother's keeper" is an expression that means to be responsible for helping and caring for others, even if they are not blood relatives. It can also mean to be compassionate and empathetic towards others. 

If a person works hard and achieves monetary success, they are not a greedy person. Money in itself does not make a person greedy. It is the unsatiable need for more and more even if it hurts others that defines greed. Right now, people are not able to wrap their heads around all of the cuts that are impacting them negatively. The answer as to WHY the Trump administration (Elon Musk) is slashing jobs and federal programs, to them, indiscriminately, is not satisfying. Many are holding their suspicion of GREED as the underlying answer hoping the cuts WILL benefit America and Americans. Time will definitely tell.  Fingers are crossed the administration IS its brother's keeper.

Why Do Wealthy Men Sex Traffic? (Sean Combs)

 

Why do powerful men end up as sexual deviants?

I'm not saying ALL powerful men indulge in sexual behaviors society defines as 'perverse,' but we have seen time and time again, powerful men taking advantage of vulnerable women in a sexual manner. Why do men who have money, success, and power, throw it all away by committing SEX crimes?

Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested Monday, September 16, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York City said. Combs has faced a wave of lawsuits — one as recent as last week — accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct since November, when former girlfriend Casandra Ventura sued him in federal court, accusing him of years of physical and sexual abuse.

What explanation can be given for sexually abusing women? Well, if we look at the CRIME of rape, we may be able to have a small understanding of why powerful men are drawn to sex crimes.

Many people believe men rape women because they have a high sex drive or find the woman, victim, of the crime sexually irresistible. That is FAR from the TRUTH. It is necessary to first establish that rape is not a behavioral or mental disorder, but a criminal offense.  Although some rapists may have a psychological disorder, there is no such disorder that compels people to rape.

Myth: Rape happens as a result of overwhelming sexual desire.

Fact: Rapists rape as part of their need for power, dominance and control.

Myth: Only young, 'attractive' women and girls are raped.

Fact: People of all ages and appearances, and of all classes, cultures, abilities, genders, sexualities, races and religions, are raped. Rape is an act of violence and control and has nothing to do with the perceived 'attractiveness' of a victim.

Researchers have found the link between narcissism and rape seems to be especially strong when repeat offenders are concerned. One of the key characteristics shared by rapists and narcissists is a tendency to dehumanize others.

Powerful men want MORE power and control. Their need for more power and control, once obtained in the business world, spills over into personal relationships or how they relate to people in general. They seek to exert that control over humans. Their need for money and status fulfilled, they need another outlet to exert their dominance, power and control. Sadly, women become the target of this need.

Rape perpetrators often describe rape as a way to exert power, dominance and control over women and use it indirectly as a tool to conceal insecurities. A sexual assaulter can be any kind of person. This statement isn't meant to make everyone scared of everyone else; rather, it just means that there isn't one specific type who commits such kinds of crimes. That is what Dr. Samuel D. Smithyman, a US clinical psychologist, learned when he anonymously interviewed 50 men back in the 1970s who had confessed to having raped someone. These men had diverse backgrounds, social statuses and, of course, different personalities and mentalities. What surprised him was how unconcerned they sounded when talking about such a criminal offense. Motives behind rape vary and are difficult to quantify. However, studies show that rapists have some common characteristics:

- a lack of empathy

- narcissism

- feelings of hostility towards women 

A federal judge in New York released a document naming, for the first time, dozens of powerful men allegedly associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Named in the documents are former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, celebrities - including the magician David Copperfield, actor Kevin Spacey - and public figures, including Britain's Prince Andrew and attorney Alan Dershowitz. And there are dozens of others. Epstein was accused of operating a sex trafficking ring that victimized dozens of young people while allegedly catering to politicians, billionaires and royalty. Powerful men are named in court records with ties to Jeffrey Epstein : NPR

Sean Combs has been accused of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is a type of human trafficking that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel someone to perform commercial sex acts for something of value. In many cases, the trafficked person receives nothing.  It's a serious public health problem that affects individuals, families, and communities. Traffickers employ a variety of control tactics, the most common include physical and emotional abuse and threats, isolation from friends and family, and economic abuse. In the case of Combs, his physically abused victims were hidden away until their visual bruises healed.  According to the hotline, California one of the largest sites of human trafficking in the United States. In 2018, 1,656 cases of human trafficking were reported in California.

Sex trafficking is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It has been called a form of MODERN SLAVERY because of the way victims are forced into sexual acts non-consensually, in a form of SEXUAL SLAVERY. The powerful men involved in sex trafficking are acquiring victims for OTHER powerful men.

Hundreds of powerful people — predominately men — have been accused of sexual offenses since the #MeToo movement went viral in 2017. The #MeToo movement focused global attention on previously unchecked sexual misconduct, leading at least 201 powerful men to lose jobs or major positions. Many men have become hostile towards women for the #MeTooMovement blaming them for lying on men or 'setting' men up. Even though there have been trials with lawyers, witnesses and evidence, men continue to BLAME women in sexual assault cases. 

At the moment, we have a presidential candidate, Donald Trump, accused sexual assaults. Since the 1970s, at least 26 women have publicly accused Trump of rape, kissing, and groping without consent; looking under women's skirts; and walking in on naked teenage pageant contestants. Trump has denied all of the allegations. A jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5 million in a judgment that could haunt the former president as he campaigns to regain the White House. Trump has support from a large number of men and is courting young men in the Manosphere community who have many grievances against women. Inside the manosphere: understanding extreme misogyny online — Center for Countering Digital Hate | CCDH (counterhate.com)

Many of the powerful men who have been accused of sex crimes have been beloved figures on a national scale. The corruption of power, dominance, and control was hidden for years from the public.

Comedian Bill Cosby: In 2018 on 3 counts of aggravated assault for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004; sentenced to 3–10 years in state prison, which he is currently serving. Cosby appealed the conviction in late June. Bill Cosby was accused of drugging his victims and having sex with them. In his testimony, Cosby admitted to casual sex involving recreational use of the sedative-hypnotic methaqualone (Quaaludes) with a series of young women, and he acknowledged that his dispensing of the prescription drug was illegal.

USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar: In 2018 on 3 counts of sexual assault, sentenced to up to 125 years. More than 260 girls and women claimed Nassar abused them. On November 22, 2017, Nassar pleaded guilty in Ingham County Circuit Court to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with minors under the age of 16. He admitted to molesting seven girls, three of whom were under the age of 13.

Singer R. Kelly: In December for allegedly bribing an Illinois government employee to create a false ID for 15-year-old Aaliyah Haughton, before marrying her. In February, on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving 4 victims, and in May on 11 counts involving aggravated criminal sexual assault.

Nxivm cult leader Keith Raniere: A Brooklyn federal court sentenced him to 120 years in prison on Oct. 27, after he was convicted in June 2019 of sex trafficking, conspiracy, sexual exploitation of a child, racketeering, forced labor and possession of child pornography.

Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein’s web began to unravel in early October, after The New York Times, published a story detailing numerous accusations of sexual harassment against the powerful movie producer, whose films have won a number of Academy Awards. The Times story detailed three decades worth of sexual harassment and unwanted physical contact accusations made against Weinstein by a number of women, including actress Ashley Judd. The piece also mentioned at least eight settlements Weinstein had reached with his accusers through the years.

Chris Savino. Nickelodeon fired the creator of “The Loud House” animated show after a dozen women accused him, in a story from the Hollywood Reporter, of “sexual harassment, unwanted advances and inappropriate behavior.” The accusers also said Savino would threaten to blacklist women he was no longer involved with.

John Besh. The celebrity chef stepped down from the company he founded after about two dozen current and former female employees accused him and other male workers of sexual harassment. They described a hostile corporate culture where sexual harassment flourished. The accounts included inappropriate touching and comments from male employees and managers, some of whom tried to leverage their power for sex. Those who complained were berated, ostracized or ignored.

Mark Halperin. At least a dozen women have accused journalist Mark Halperin of sexually harassing them or assaulting them, with at least some of the incidents coming during his time as political director at ABC News. At first, five women accused Halperin of propositioning employees for sex, kissing and grabbing one woman’s breasts against her will and other forms of inappropriate touching. Days later, more women came forward with other claims, including that Halperin masturbated in front of an ABC News employee and that he violently threw another woman against a restaurant window before trying to kiss her.

The named men above had money, power and status which other men envied and used as role models in their efforts to become successful. All of the above men are examples of when the need to have more power, dominance and controls goes beyond human decency. In their quest for more power, they began to see humans as a means to that end. They DEHUMANIZE others. 

Once a person is able to view other people as not HUMAN, not worthy of respect, empathy, dignity, then that person has lost THEIR HUMANITY and is a CRIMINAL of the worst kind.

The upside to this form of depravity is eventually the law catches up with them. This type of sexual depravity requires many people to witness it. The offender has to have people KNOW his power and reach of control. Like Sean Combs, there is always a trail of evidence testifying to their corrupt mind and heart. Sooner or later, a BRAVE woman comes forth, knowing she will not be believed and attacked by the perpetrator of the crime and his followers or those who are complicit to his crimes. Because of his POWER, MONEY and STATUS, society is reticent to believe he would commit such an atrocity. Sadly, it is often proven that a once celebrated man is a cruel uncaring criminal.

Sex crimes have LITTLE to do with SEX. Allegedly, Sean Combs videotaped his victims having sex with other powerful men in order to blackmail them. Combs wanted power over the women he abused and power of the men who took advantage of the abused women. They were all dominated and controlled by Combs. 

With so many powerful men exhibiting the wanton need for power, dominance, and control, we ALL should keep an eye on our millionaires and billionaires who can afford to pay people to round up victims and to keep their mouths sealed. Sex trafficking does not appear to be a POOR MAN'S GAME. Sean Combs, a billionaire, was given the key to New York City. Combs was given the key in September 2023 at a Times Square ceremony where Mayor Adams quipped at the time, “The bad boy of entertainment is getting the Key to the City from the bad boy of politics.” Sex trafficking rings depend on silence and money. More powerful men will probably go down with Combs. Watch this space.

Trump, Evangelicals, and Wealth

One thing you cannot escape is Trump in the news daily. The former president finds himself swamped in criminal charges. Even with all of his legal problems, people love and support him, especially Evangelicals. How can this be? Christianity teaches against sin which includes lying, corruption, mistreatment of your fellowman, adultry, and many more actions Trump has been accused of doing. Yet, the religious community continue to support him and seemingly even encourage his antics. Trump's potential to be elected president once again has many people on edge and scratching their head wondering who would want a "criminal" (illegedly) for a president?

While I was attending Seminary, we quickly glossed over a parable which seemed to imply it is okay to use your wealth in a way to gain favor from people even if its unethically done. WHAT? I couldn't believe what I was reading and all the professor could say was, "This is seen as a controversial passage scholars have been unable to agree on its true meaning." But what was clear was this one sentence, "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:1b-9)." 

Scholars cannot agree exactly what was taking place in the parable. Was the manager decreasing the amounts the master's debtors owed their master gaining favor from the debtors so they would welcome him when he no longer had a job? Does the parable teach to use your position in life to gain personal favor from people even though the way you do it is wrong? Time to look at the parable in the Bible.

In Luke’s Gospel, many of Jesus’s parables are grouped together. In chapter 15, we find the “lost” parables, where Jesus talks about misplaced coins, lost sheep, and wayward sons. In chapter 16, Luke puts two parables together: the Parable of the Shrewd Manager and the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

The parable of the shrewd manager reads like this:

“There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg- I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

“‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

“The master (Jesus) commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:1b-9).

There it is. The manager was cheating his boss out of money to gain favor from people he soon would be on the same level with as far as economics were concerned. The parable is specifically talking about using position, authority, and MONEY, to gain favor from people.

Many are confused how and why Evangelicals support and encourage Trump. There is no doubt Donald Trump uses his position, authority, and money to gain favor from people. He has been likened to a mob boss in doing a favor to get a favor. While campaigning for president, he makes favorable, sometime obsurd, promises to his base of supporters. Donald Trump not only uses his worldly wealth to gain friends, he uses threats too.

Some Christians choose to interpret this parable as meaning it is fine to use shrewd tactics to gain godly outcomes as evidenced by the verse in the parable, "For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.," They see Donald Trump, a sinner, doing bad to bring about good. He is backed by Evangelicals with a clear heart because of his overturning of Roe v Wade, and favoring other causes dear to them and their Christian faith. He doesn't have to be good or use ethics to bring about desired Christian outcomes in their minds. He is crooked for Christ.

The above parable seems to show that OUTCOMES are more important than means one uses to achieve the desired outcome. This is a parable many are not familiar with and you can see why. When I first read it I could not believe cheating was being sanctioned, making friends held as important in such a way, and self gain at any cost being encouraged. Even if the passage is trying to say it is more important to have friends than to worry about money, it wasn't the manager's money to use to gain friends. The Bible is clear, greed is a sin and the love of money can impede your entrance into heaven, but this is a parable about dishonesty.

It is evident Trump's wealth is his value in his eyes. He lies about his monetary value all the time and is currently standing trial for inflating at times and deflating his monetary value at other times. Every chance he gets he asks his followers to contribute to his defese or campaign even when they have no idea how the millioaire is going to use the money sent to him. Maybe they believe they are giving their money to a kingdom cause and when it is gone, they will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. But Evangelicals support Trump. Go figure.

Heart Health: Heart Condition

 LONGER POST THAN USUAL WARNING

There are many Bible passages that have been misquoted over and over again and one Bible misquote I have heard often is: "The love of money is evil." We may say we see the damage the love of money has manifested in the lives of celebrities and everyday people we come into contact within our own lives. But I still would like to clear up the misquote and set the record straight. "The love of money is the ROOT of ALL evil" 1 Timothy 6:10. Got your seatbelt on? Good. Let's go for a ride.

With the addition of the word 'root' and 'all' our perception of money should change and we should guard ourselves from the pitfalls that the love of money brings. Anyone who tries to convince you that poverty is fun would probably benefit from some sort of professional counseling. But, when we allow our financial state to determine our amount of joy in life as a whole, then we must look at what defines our happiness.

While thinking about money and the way we depend upon it and use it, I wondered was there a difference in the way women used money and the way men used money. And the answer is a resounding YES! I found there are 5 top ways each sex use their money (after taking care of the basic necessities that are common to both sexes such as rent and food) and found the differences a little eye opening.

MEN: Men don’t spend, they invest (car, home). Men don’t want something, they need it. Theirs is a future-money orientation. Men are trained to fix and provide, so they view money as a means to capture and accumulate things to add more value. Men want to be looked up to, status.

Men will spend their money on investments (car, home), entertainment, women/online dating/love, hobbies and sports, and betting and gambling.

WOMEN: Women are trained to nurture and seek acceptance and so they view money as a means to create a lifestyle. Women spend on things that enhance day-to-day living. Theirs is a now-money orientation. Women are the collectors of stuff and are taught that what they need to get through life is approval. They have to look good, act good, and be good.

An average woman will spend 8.5 years of her life shopping. So you guessed it, shopping tops the list of how and where women spend their money. Next we have beauty, health and fitness, love/online dating, and furnishings.

There you have it. Each of the sexes have distinct spending habits to which the marketing masses can target each of the sexes in specific ways. Our purchases are the fruit that are springing forth from the root of our desires or needs. Remember the LOVE of money is the ROOT evidenced and so I ask does our purchases serve as an indicator of our EVIL? For the man would evil be the deep need to have the best and newest car? For the woman would evil be the purchase of unending beauty enhancement materials?

With more and more money men become more and more powerful actually buying people's opinion and loyalty. The rich man often obtains the perfect trophy wife and later trade her in when she no longer fits the bill for a younger attractive wife. Men even become workaholics to the neglect of wife and children. Notice gambling creeps into the bottom of the list on which men spend money. Gambling is a force of destruction.

With more money women spend countless thousands for the perfect nose, smile, breast, butt, tummy and the list goes on and on what a woman is willing to do to her body surgically to maintain youthful beauty. When a woman will inject a poison into her face in an effort not to have wrinkles; then you know just how important beauty is to her. Not only is she interested in being beautiful, she is interested in being surrounded in/by beauty. 

I know what you may be thinking. If this blog is dedicated to lifting up women, it sure does talk negatively about women and their quest for beauty. I'm not anti-beauty or anti-sexiness. I am anti that's all a woman has to offer. There was a preacher who once said people are mean to beautiful people and beautiful people can't help God blessed them with beauty. We all have been blessed with different things by the Creator and beauty can be one of those things. There are many beautiful women who have beauty and brains, so I am not bashing beautiful women enhanced or not. I do have a problem with a woman with children living paycheck to paycheck investing her money in extensions, wigs, and nails (I know I should stay in my own lane. Not my business). I have a problem with men pouring all of their money into a car and he doesn't have a home of his own or pay child support because of his love for his car.

Well, I have not escaped those statistics with my years of shopping and spending money on material things to enhance my beauty (self and home). I have an overwhelming love of shoes and I have contributed to the millions the make-up industry pulls in yearly. We often want to be equal to men in all things. Do we want the men's top 5 they invest their money on to be our top 5? Do we want to trade an obsession for beauty for an obsession for status?

As a group we, women, are saying a lot without using words with how we look and present ourselves to the world. Our spending habits speak for us and I do not know if we are purposefully driving what our voice through money is saying. As I said, businesses and services follow our spending trends and cater to those statistical needs. Our spending power influences society. Our use of money actually speaks volumes about our heart. 

I can't begin to count how many times in the last twelve months there has been a call on social media to boycott a business for one reason or another. People are very aware money has the power to change how a business operates or support a cause or political candidate. The usage of money can be for good or evil.

I would ask everyone who is reading this post to reflect on what/how you spend your money on after you pay your rent and electric bill. Is buying grocery your next biggest expense? Some people skimp on groceries, so they have extra money for something else. Is your biggest expense after rent/electricity entertainment? Some people are highly social and must have outings to be around friends, family, or just other adults to relax and have some fun. Do you spend a large amount on shopping for clothes/shoes/beauty products? Men's shoes are costly and there is always a new brand on the market. Wigs of quality cost money as well as paying someone to do a woman's ever changing hairstyles. Where your money is so is what is driving your heart, morals, character. Let me explain.

When we confess our love, we say I love you with my all my heart, mind, body, and soul yet when love goes wrong it is our heart we say is broken not our mind, body, or soul. So where does this unwanted LOVE for money with it's ROOT of EVIL reside in us? Because we dream and plan to have money we can assume the love of money resides in our mind. We may go as far to say the love of money resides in our body because it can be used to keep us healthy and functioning if we have money. Maybe the love of money is in the soul because our spirit or soul is free from worry if we have money.

My answer to the question as to where the love of money resides is in our heart where love can bloom and be crushed. How then does or can the love of money become evil? "As a man thinks in his heart so is he" Proverbs 23:7. 

YOUR HEART'S DESIRES MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE. The above passage says it's not your brains rational thoughts guiding you in directions and deeds but your heart's WANTS. You think about desires and wants. Your brain signals the body everyday of it's NEEDS without you having to think about it. The brain says I'm thirsty, I'm hungry, I'm cold, I'm in danger, I'm sick, etc. But the heart has deep deep desires/wants. We act on both wants and needs. But it is in wants where evil shows up. And if you want to evaluate your character, pay attention to what you spend a good bit of your money on and why.

There are many bitter people roaming around because of money. A person with a forty hour a week job is angry at the grocery the below poverty level government welfare person has in their buggy with no access to healthcare (It's their tax money being used). The person whose ancestors came to America for a better life is upset people are coming to America for a better way of life (taking jobs and money from other American minorities). People have cable, three televisions, cellphone, and expensive shoes on and will rob you for what you have (best and newest). It's all about wanting more and the root is the love of money causing evil actions and attitudes.

The love of money has a root and it takes up residence in your heart and grows. The Bible says it is an EVIL growth. Now in modern religion churches teach PROSPERITY GOSPEL. Prosperity Gospel tells you that you can have material things and blessing and God don't want you to be poor. If you claim it you can manifest it. You can hear sermon after sermon saying your monetary breakthrough is coming if you keep your faith and even tithe regularly. Prosperity gospel tells people they can have their heart's desires/wants and as a child of God they are meant to prosper. God wouldn't bless the rest of the world with monetary blessing and not bless his children the same way. BAD TEACHING. Is it then a sin to pray for wealth? No. The money itself is not evil it is the person's heart that can sin with wealth and desires for wealth or it's appearance.

Jesus taught in the New Testament of the Bible that silver and gold corrodes, it is the condition of the heart, not material things that matter. But you may say the Bible says God gives you the desires of your heart. Yes. It does say that in the Old Testament but there is always a condition when the Lord says I will give or do for you. Read this:

Psalm 37:1-8 "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong, for like the grass will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he WILL DO THIS: 

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads to evil."

The Hebrew definition of the word delight (in Hebrew an-nag meaning to be delicate or feminine) carrying the meaning to be pliable or sensitive, or in this context to be dependent on God and to derive one's pleasure from Him. We are clearly told what the desires (In Hebrew it's mishalot to ask or request something) of our hearts should be and it is not money. The promise of giving you the desires of your heart is SANDWHICHED in between DON'T FRET about people around you who are doing evil and are successful. God said he will give us justice and let others see how we live righteously (the quality of being morally right or justifiable). In essence the Lord is saying the good guy is not going to finish last which it seems the Psalmist's heart was troubled by and he was told not to fret twice by God.  

So where your heart is shows up as where your money is and your relationship with money. People are dating now asking the infamous question, "What are you bringing to the table?" People want to be a power couple with money and influence. Online love scams are rampant as well as other scams. As soon as there is a natural disaster my phone blows up with spam calls asking for money for the cause from scammers. Love and commitment are taking a backseat to a business deal type of marriage where money is the main drawing factor. 

I decided to do this post due to the economic stress America is in at the moment. Inflation has many choosing to buy groceries, or gas, or pay the rent each month. People are going to bed hungry. Violence due to poverty is rising. 

I raised my children to live by what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Philippians in the New Testament Bible:

"Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received, or heard from me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" Philippians 4:6-12

   

CULTS and Trump

 WHY ARE PEOPLE BELIEVING TRUMP IS SENT BY GOD? ARE THEY DEMONSTRATING SIGNS OF FOLLOWING A CULT LEADER?

    My daughters jokingly say they were raised in a "cult" and I was the cult leader. This in one way is flattering because cult leaders are extremely charismatic and make people feel loved, accepted, and as if they belong and matter. But cult leaders have a bad side also. It is said they use brainwashing techniques to attract and keep their followers. The followers identify with the cult leaders on some or many levels and admire them greatly. I in no way, shape, or form wanted my daughters to be followers. The parenting skills I believed I was implementing were intended to shape, form, and mold free thinkers. 

    When looking at the definition of a cult leader I found myself disagreeing with it. Religion and religious groups are only described as able to have a cult following, by one resource's definition. Of course, there are several infamous cults which center around religion such as David Koresh, Charles Manson, and Jim Jones. But not ALL cults are religious. Religious cult leaders claim to have direct contact or revelation from a God/Higher Power/ or from the Universe giving them insight/understanding/information/special knowledge that the members do not/cannot possess. In some cases, the leader tells the followers he CAN help them to come into the same awareness/knowledge/power if they follow his direction. Yes, most cult leaders are men. 

    Donald Trump is imfamous for making outlandish promises to his base. His followers do not seem to care that he is not able to deliver on many of his promises. But the really scary thing about Trump is he never objects or tell people not to put him in a savior category. He doubles down on their assessment and revels in being seen as god-like. Is he a cult leader and are his followers blind sheeps for the slaughter? Cult leaders and their followers has historically met with a bad end.

    I believe a cult leader can show up in any given area where there are people looking to be embraced. Hitler took cult leader to the highest deadliest level. Cult leaders are not just your everyday narcissists. The are what is defined as "traumatic" narcisissts. The actions of a traumatic narcissist has deleterious effects on their followers often persuading the follower into abusive situations or to carry out abuses on others. Can anyone say JANUARY 6th?

    Cult leaders are intuitive, able to read people. They thrive on chaos and create crisis situations tapping into well planted fears they have made the followers believe. Fox news is a vehicle for creating one fear after another for its viewers to grab a hold of. They are power-hungry and authoritarian. 

    One thing I find clever of the cult leader is they issue uniforms and titles. These two actions make the follower feel important and above the ordinary person in status. The uniform and title reinforces the idea the follower has a job and authority in his enlightenment within the group and over those without the revelation given to them by their leader. The MAGA hat and slogan is an example of a uniform which makes people feel part of a group, have a job, have a title, and have a mission to enlighten others. Another MOVE of the cult leader is to make tantalizing promises. His promises keeps the follower amped up in anticipation that any day the promise will come true. Hitler was a leader who used these cult practices.

There are three types of cult leaders: The Delusional Martyr, Preacher Turned Egomaniac, and the Hard and Fast Narcissist.

The Delusional Martyr: Is the most dangerous cult leader. Heaven's Gate leader, Marshall Applewhite instructed 39 members to commit mass suicide in 1997. He was convinced aliens would come to earth and take him and his followers away leaving their bodies for a higher existence. This group oriented delusion is called "Shared psychotic Disorder" according to the National Institutes of Health.

The Preacher Turned Egomaniac: May start out as a teacher, preacher, or an instructor of some sort then realizes people believe or hang onto their every word and become puffed up with such influence or his power to get people to listen to his every word. In 1978, Jim Jones, once a preacher, orchestrated the Jonestown Massacre in 1978, killing 900 people by instructing them to drink poison to commit suicide. 

The Hard and Fast Narcissist: Has been a narcissist the majority of their lives. they feel entitled to completely lie to a person or whatever they have to do to get others to believe whatever it is they are selling, whether it is God, a product, or anything. They are a bottomless pit of ego need. They are malignant narcissists and do not care about the lives they destroy, or the lies they tell, the damage they are doing, they just need to be loved, feared, adored. Many say former President Donald Trump falls into this category. 

WHICH CATEGORY DOES DONALD TRUMP AND HIS FOLLOWERS FIT INTO?

I would love to read your answer in the comments.

    The sad thing is there will always be a group of disenfranchised people, the outcast, or the person who has had enough of the way they have been negatively treated, waiting for someone to understand their plight and formulate a solution to address it. The cult leader will begin at the root of the unhappiness/discontent by saying they understand, validating the person, boosting self-esteem, and feelings of being heard. There is a formula or steps visible the cult leader takes, which those outside of the cult can plainly see. The steps are as follows.

  1.  Next the enlightenment talk begins, the ability to see the TRUTH others are blind to or are blatantly disregarding. A new vocabulary only the group is privy to forms, making the followers feel special and separated from others develops. 

  2.  Articles of clothing are introduced in some shape or form. The group takes pride in wearing the items and can be identified by them and titles are given so some sense of power and authority is bestowed upon the followers (no longer a group anymore. Leader and follower hierarchy has been established by now). 

  3.  The leader makes promises to the followers that are appealing and are told family and friends will turn against them for believing in the promises and the leader. Outsiders, or anyone who disagrees with the leader become a THREAT, ENEMY, INFERIOR. The leader makes the followers protective of him saying those who do not believe will want to destroy him with lies or even physical attacks. This is the point where the follower can become dangerous in an attempt to protect the message, doctrine, and/or leader from outside influences. The leader now has full control and can demand money or violence from the followers. The followers become weaponized by the leader. Just objects to be used as he sees fit.

    I have written a book Manhood Interrupted, But Never Destroyed, An Answer For The Red Pill Man addressing a group of men whose group has been described as a cult, in the RED PILL community. These men believe they are not treated as well as women by society Their rights as men are not recognized in the home and world at large. Women use sex to manipulate men. Women have made laws/polices beneficial to them by giving or withholding sex and thus are responsible for the bad condition of society. Women lie and call the police on men falsely claiming rape. The courts favor women in divorce awarding them the man's money/possessions and children in child custody battles. Women continually reject men in the dating scene.

    The Red Pill community have their own language, looks to a leader for instruction and ideology about women, attack outsiders or their enemy- women, verbally and on a few accounts physically. There is Red Pill apparel available for purchase, they actively recruit members usually unhappy young Republican White men, and offer comradery for men in private groups. This group checks many of the cult boxes of a cult. But what else makes a cult? The people who join the group or community. The Red Pill community and MAGA have traits of a cult.

    There are certain characteristics of those who are recruited, belong, join, connect with cults and cult leaders. People who join cults:

SEEK APPROVAL

FOLLOWERS BY NATURE, NOT LEADERS

SEEKING AN IDENTITY

SEEKING MEANING

SCHIZOTYPAL THINKING (not schizophrenic but dances on the edge and have odd beliefs/behaviors with conspiracy-type, alien-type, supernatural-type beliefs)

HIGHLY SUGGESTIBLE

CONSTANTLY BLAME OTHERS

ALWAYS ANGRY

VERY LOW SELF-ESTEEM

    Angry social media communities can easily spin into a cult. No one in America would have believed 2,000-2,500 Americans would attack the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. People watched the news with utter shock and disbelief as rioters forced their way into the Capitol Building in an effort to overturn election results and harm employees of the government including the vice president. I can guarantee none of the people involved in the protest and attack would classify themselves as cult members but I bet their family members would. 

    The rioters, MAGA, follow a charismatic leader and hang on his every word or instruction. They believe they are understood finally by their leader. They subscribe to conspiracy theories. Those who don't believe the leader are deemed inferior, a danger, or an enemy. The leader enlists fear as a tool for action and to ensure his followers remain angry along with wild promises (he delivers many). He plays a martyr saying the media is attacking him. He dictates their source of information. The main part of the uniform is the MAGA hat. Bullying is used as an abuse tactic. The leader often proclaims his brilliance, and he is the only one who can help them and change the country/world. His blatant lies are ignored for the common good of their ideology. The leader separates followers from family who do not believe the same. He uses his power to elevate followers to positions and titles. Money flows, weapons flow, and discontent grows. Crisis after crisis only he can solve is echoed by the leader.

    In the end, a large number of followers of cult leaders end up dying. The leader eventually crosses a line in his big grab for power or relevance resulting in their death. No special enlightenment is needed to know the Cult of Trump is going to end in some form of disaster even bigger than January 6, 2021. History repeats itself.  

    This is what the Bible says about FALSE teachers (leaders) who bring truth into dispute 2 Peter 2:10-14. They are bold and arrogant.

"This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority... With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning, they SEDUCE the UNSTABLE; they are experts in GREED - an accursed brood!"

    Please by my book The Politics of Prayer in which I talk about how politics is supposed to play in the Christians life and about those elected to government positions of power. It is a book that will surely help Christians and non-Christians understand how not to let religion go astray when dealing with corruption in the government and its officials. My book is available on amazon.com

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