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AVARICE AND INDIFFERENCE

Posted by peripheral on Friday, March 27, 2009 8:38:53 AM
From My Perspective - - -

To say, we are living in uncertain and strange times, would be sharing a gross understatement. On the one hand, we have a nation who failed to pay attention and was indifferent when avarice (the insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth) was rampant; while on the other hand, overreacting and over-reaching with proposed budgets and expenditures that are beyond imagination or comprehension. A British Member of Parliament addressed the Prime Minister while Parliament was in session and stated: “You can’t spend your way out of recession, or borrow your way out of debt!” However, on this side of the Ocean, we ignore that very sound principle.

Most have heard the saying: “Nero fiddled while Rome burned!” In our own way, the US Senate may be fiddling while the nation is drowning in debt and bankruptcy. What is the focus of the US Senate? In part, the Headline and Associated Press Report gives some indication. The Report states: “SENATE REVIEWING HOW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS NO. 1” - Mar 25 03:47 PM US/Eastern By FREDERIC J. FROMMER… “Everyone from President Barack Obama on down to fans has criticized how college football determines its top team. Now senators are getting off the sidelines to examine antitrust issues involving the Bowl Champion Series. The current system "leaves nearly half of all the teams in college football at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to qualifying for the millions of dollars paid out every year," the Senate Judiciary's subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights said in a statement Wednesday announcing the hearings. Under the BCS, some conferences get automatic bids to participate in series, while others do not. Obama and some members of Congress favor a playoff-type system to determine the national champion. The BCS features a championship game between the two top teams in the BCS standings, based on two polls and six computer ratings. Behind the push for the hearings is the subcommittee's top Republican, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. People there were furious that Utah was bypassed for the national championship despite going undefeated in the regular season…”

Meanwhile, The President spoke about a topic of concern for the upcoming G 20 Conference to be held in London on April 2. He commented: “We have an economic, security, and moral obligation to extend a hand to countries and people who face the greatest risk…“If we turn our backs on them, the suffering caused by this crisis will be enlarged, and our own recovering will be delayed because markets for our goods will shrink further and more American jobs will be lost…The G-20 should quickly deploy resources to stabilize emerging markets, substantially boost the emergency capacity of the International Monetary Fund and help regional development banks accelerate lending…Meanwhile, America will support new and meaningful investments in food security that can help the poorest weather the difficult days that will come.” The question is: “How, Mr. President?” we have already ignored the sage advice of a British Member of Parliament: “You can’t spend your way out of recession, or borrow your way out of debt.”

Consider these things with me - - - Whether it was actual or not, Former President Bill Clinton’s statement: “I feel your pain!”, resonated with the poor and needy. In a similar way, there needs to be a greater sensitivity to and implementation of James 2:14-18 (The Message) “Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, ‘Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!’ and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup - where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department. Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove…” We cannot allow avarice or indifference to prevent our responsible care and action toward those with genuine cares and needs! It’s true that we cannot help everyone, but at least we can assist as many as we can – by God’s Grace.
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AWRY AND AMUCK

Posted by peripheral on Monday, March 16, 2009 5:43:28 AM

From My Perspective - - -

It’s difficult not to be focused upon the economic concerns of our nation and the world. Most citizens have experienced financial strain, losses, uncertainty and fears regarding the immediate and longer-term stability of employment, debt management, Social Security availability, investment recovery, etc. It seems to be abundantly clear that “financial bailout” is not focused upon the individual’s plight but has become more of a corporate welfare effort. The government stimulus package is costing this nation One Billion Dollars a day on average, and now the elected leadership is mentioning the need for another stimulus package as soon as possible. It is an understatement to suggest that our government and the economic activity are running both awry and amuck.

For someone or something to run awry means: “turned or twisted toward one side; not in a straight or true direction, or position; out of the right course; distorted…; aside from the line of truth, or right reason; unreasonable or unreasonably; perverse or perversely…” When someone or something is running amuck, it means: “In a frenzied and reckless manner.” The example of this was with the first $700 Billion Bailout of Banks, etc. There was very little guideline and almost no accountability factors built into the distribution of taxpayer funds to assist Banks and Corporations.  For instance, Bank of America agreed to take over Merrill Lynch and to merge it into their corporation. Bank of America received $25 Billion Dollars from the Federal Bailout Funds. Merrill Lynch distributes bonuses that amount to approximately $5 Billion Dollars. We get an idea of this from an ABC News Report dated February 25, 2009: “The New York Attorney General's office declined to publicly comment on the matter…The bonuses became a subject of the investigation into Merrill's merger with Bank of America by Cuomo's office after the Attorney General raised whether the two banks -- which together received about $45 billion in taxpayer dollars -- worked together to arrange the early bonus plan just weeks before the merger was completed.  The bonuses were awarded despite the fact that Merrill lost $25 billion in 2008 and posted greater than anticipated fourth quarter after-tax losses of $5 billion dollars.  According to sources involved in the probe, Cuomo's office is seeking information about the individual awards of about 200 top employees. The top 14 got $250 million and the top 159 received over $858 million in bonuses. Overall, sources said, 694 employees at Merrill received bonuses in excess of $1 million. The bank's four top executives received $121 million.” John Thain, former CEO of Merrill Lynch, was choosing to remain silent about the pre-merger agreement regarding bonuses.

Consider these things with me - - - On March 13th, 2009 – Chuck Colson wrote a column on Economic Lent. It included some of the following: “One obvious failure is our levels of indebtedness. As historian Niall Ferguson recently wrote, Western…governments, corporations and households are groaning under unprecedented debt burdens. Average household debt has reached 141% of disposable income in the United States and 177% in Britain. Our financial institutions…are in far worse shape. Some of the best-known names in American and European finance have liabilities 40, 60 or even 100 times the amount of their capital. While the Scriptures have something to say about the perils of indebtedness, they have much more to say about the human failings that prompted the unprecedented debt burdens, like greed and covetousness…We are now living with the wreckage caused by all this covetousness.” Bernie Madoff is an example of one who fed off of the covetousness and greed of those who believed they would receive 12% return on their investments. One investment firm states on its web-page: “Our objective is a high return with low risk. What Wall Street won't tell you, we will.” Churches and Individuals were led to believe they would receive a 9% return on their investment. Huge sums of money were “invested” that recently were valued at just 30 cents on the dollar. Just examples of how easily one can be beguiled into what is now representative of both being awry and amuck. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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LET'S MAKE A DEAL

Posted by peripheral on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 5:52:25 AM

From My Perspective - - -

In December 1963, LET’S MAKE A DEAL became a daytime entry in television as a contestant-driven program. A summary states: “One of TV's all time greatest and most successful shows, Let's Make a Deal was a game of intuition, skill, luck, decision-making and greed...all mixed into one…” People would carry signs, or dress in all kinds of costumes hoping to attract the attention of the Host, Monty Hall. Currently, there is another program that is rated very high – DEAL OR NO DEAL. These programs demonstrate the inner-struggle as contestants determine if a “greed principle” might pay off with a prize of considerable value. Some contestants claim “intuition” and others express “confidence” or “hope” that their selection is the top prize or bring about a valuable outcome.

In December 2008, we have a different “game” revealed that people and organizations have been playing. It, too, has been “…a game of intuition, skill, luck, decision-making and greed…” However, we are reading of the sad result for too many people and organizations as the “jackpot” became elusive and disappeared. In today’s news (December 16, 2008) is the following item: “A federal grand jury is investigating how a company that advised Jefferson County, Alabama, on bond deals that threaten to cause the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, did similar work in New Mexico after making contributions to Governor Bill Richardson’s political action committees… The investigation reflects another front in nationwide efforts by U.S. prosecutors to investigate so-called pay-to-play in the municipal bond market. The term refers to banks and advisers who make political contributions or personal gifts to public officials in return for fee-paying financing assignments…”

In a similar news item today, there is a continuing revelation of people and organizations who have been ultimately defrauded of Billions of Dollars. The Hedge Fund Scam indicates: “The fallout from Bernard Madoff’s alleged $50bn fraud spread through the global financial system on Monday as more banks revealed exposures to his firm and the beleaguered hedge fund industry braced for withdrawals from worried clients.” Banks, some of whom have received Billions of Dollars from the Federal Government Bailout, have also lost more than $10 Billion Dollars in this investment scheme. We also read: “Outraged philanthropists worldwide nursed wounds on Monday from the alleged $50 billion fraud by former Nasdaq chairman Bernard Madoff, forcing some charities to shutter and hitting others with massive losses…As of Monday, at least three foundations had closed or planned to shut.” It won’t be surprising if we soon learn that a number of religious organizations have been caught in this investment web and considerable loss.

Consider these things with me - - - A strong case can be made Biblically for an investment strategy (See Matthew 25:14 through 30 – The Parable of the Talents). A key conclusion made by Jesus to the servant who had not invested his talent was: “you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest…” Religious Organizations and Local Churches have taken their Bequest Funds, or Excess Cash, or Endowment Funds and placed them in Stock Portfolios and Management Funds. This entire concept at first blush is ludicrous. Many of these investments are now gone! Some have lost 40% to 50% of their original worth. While many Board Members of Churches and Religious Organizations would argue to the contrary, the fact is they have gambled and lost. It will be interesting to see transparency by these same groups as appeals are made for funds to help them stay on television or to keep their religious empire intact. For religious organizations – from the small local church to the most visible national/international ministry – many people would love to see transparency as admission is made to the poor judgment in investment and the commitment not to get caught up in Ponzi Schemes of any sort in the future. Also, the commitment and representation to practice Luke 6:38 (NLT), “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving – large or small – it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” When will we learn to do God’s business God’s Way? When will we trust Him for all we need?
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BANKRUPTCY

Posted by peripheral on Saturday, December 13, 2008 7:26:16 AM
From My Perspective - - -

There are same words that signify loss, failure, irresponsibility, or unanticipated events occurring that make it difficult for one to survive financially. Bankruptcy used to carry with it a sense of shame and/or failure. When the word is used as an adjective, American Heritage Dictionary defines Bankruptcy as, “having been legally declared financially insolvent; financially ruined; impoverished; depleted of valuable qualities or characteristics; totally depleted; destitute; being in a ruined state…” It’s a situation that should be avoided.

Think of the panic some must sense and feel when they learn their “investments” are vanished and their future has been spent and/or lost by the misdeeds and misrepresentations of a trusted individual. The Drudge Report for Saturday, December 13th has a Bold Headline declaring: “MADOFF'S ALLEGED $50 BILLION FRAUD HITS OTHER INVESTORS.” The report continues: “Investors scrambled to assess potential losses from an alleged $50 billion fraud by Bernard Madoff, a day after the arrest of the prominent Wall Street trader. Prosecutors and regulators accused the 70-year-old, who was chairman of the NASDAQ Stock Market in the early 1990s, of masterminding a fraud of epic proportions through his investment advisory business, which managed at least one hedge fund. Hundreds of people, investing with him through the firm's clients, entrusted Madoff with billions of dollars. Madoff's investors included captains of industry, corporations -some of which are publicly traded - that used Madoff almost as a high-yielding cash management account, endowments, universities, foundations and, importantly, many high-profile funds of funds, said Douglas Kass, who heads hedge fund Seabreeze Partners Management. It appears that at least $15 billion of wealth, much of which was concentrated in southern Florida and New York City, is gone… Federal agents arrested Madoff at his apartment on Thursday after prosecutors said he told senior employees that his money management operations were all just one big lie and basically, a giant Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi scheme is an illegal investment vehicle that pays off old investors with money from new ones, and is dependent on a constant stream of new investment. Because the invested capital is not earning a sufficient return on its own, such schemes eventually collapse under their own weight. Madoff is the founder of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, a market-making firm he launched in 1960. His separate investment advisory business had $17.1 billion of assets under management.”

An obvious tension emerges from this account. First, there is an individual who sacrifices his scruples and character by developing an “investment scheme” that would – Secondly, appeal to people of means and wealth who would allow greed for more to overshadow safety in investment. It appears there may be no more than $300 million dollars left from this $50 Billion Dollar scheme. Question: What happened to the Billions of Dollars that passed through his hands? Why were people so gullible? Whatever happened to the common sense concept: “If it sounds too good to be true – It’s too good to be true?”

Consider these things with me - - - Somehow the words of Luke 12:13-15 need to echo through our land – Congress, Banks, Industry, Investments – “Someone in the crowd said to him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. Jesus replied, Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you? Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Greed is one of The Seven Deadly Sins. The list includes: “PRIDE is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. ENVY is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation. GLUTTONY is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. LUST is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. ANGER is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath. GREED is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness. SLOTH is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. Bankruptcy results when the focus is on the Material and Temporal; Good Return occurs when one Invests In Things Eternal – receiving God’s Dividend – His Blessing and Provision!
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TIME-WARP

Posted by peripheral on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 5:42:49 AM
From My Perspective - - -

A generation was captivated by the possibilities of space through the fictional TV Series, Star Trek. In more recent times, the Star Wars series has evolved and been viewed as a scenario that could unfold in the worlds of the unknown. Earlier (1954), there was the film produced by Disney entitled, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, where we were introduced to a whole different life and lifestyle. We were so easily caught up in the brilliance of Captain Nemo and his innovations and skill. As we viewed these productions, (a) we were drawn into the possibilities of Time-Warp, and (b) we forgot they were science fiction. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Time-Warp as – “A hypothetical discontinuity or distortion occurring in the flow of time that would move events from one time period to another or suspend the passage of time.”

Someone recently sent me an item entitled, “How Long Do We Have?” This is speculation rather than fiction, the hypothetical, or theories. While this is part of an article about The Athenian Republic, a more reliable source is to look at some of the events surrounding The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Some of the sub-points: “Economic factors are cited as a major cause of the fall of Rome. Three single-issue models that led to the collapse: (1) Economic (lack of circulating currency and trade deficit, and other factors not clearly economic, like environmental change and decaying infrastructure); (2) Military (citizenship granted to all (illegal aliens) reduced the incentive to join the army), and (3) Gradual transformation (drift toward socialism-humanism).” A comparison between the Roman Empire and the United States shows serious and frightening parallels, namely, "One of the primary catalysts to the deterioration of the economy was the lack of circulating currency in the Western Empire. Two reasons for the lack of funds are wholesale hoarding of bullion by Roman citizens, and the widespread looting of the Roman treasury by the 'barbarians'. These two factors, coupled with the massive trade deficit with Eastern Regions of the Empire served to stifle the growth of wealth in the west." It brings to mind the oft-stated, and equally – oft-forgotten phrase – “He who forgets History is doomed to repeat it!” That thought is also seen in the writing of George Santayana (1863-1952), Life of Reason, vol. 1, chap. 12, p. 284 (1905)…”Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. This is the condition of children and barbarians, in whom instinct has learned nothing from experience.”

Our nation is becoming a nation of entitlement and expectation. The “gimme” mentality is pervasive in our nation (reliance on or a demand for the generosity of others, esp. as one's due). This week, while Citi-Corp was asking for and receiving Billions of Dollars for their portion of the “Bailout”, it was also revealed their expenditure of more than $400 Million Dollars ($20 Million Dollars per year for 20 Years) to have their Corporate Name placed on the New York Mets baseball stadium, now known as Citi-Field. Because of their cash short-fall, they will terminate the employment of thousands of people – but – keep paying to have their name on the stadium, One wonders, how and when did we lose our way so severely and badly? Whatever happened to prudence and self-discipline in both government, and personal management of obligations and responsibilities?

Consider these things with me - - - In Matthew 24:24-26, Jesus states: “False messiahs and false prophets will rise up…So if someone tells you, Look, the Messiah is out in the desert, don't bother to go and look. Or, Look, he is hiding here, don't believe it!” When will the end be near? Jesus continues in 24:37-39, “it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.” This sounds like us in our nation – spending, lavish living, carefree behavior, look to the government to pay for our mortgages, provide us with health-care, give us food stamps, etc. Ah, what Shock and Awe awaits! In the hour – the moment – when no one is thinking religious thoughts – their personal Time-Warp will cease and they will be abruptly introduced to - - THE END!
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LOTTERY ROULETTE

Posted by peripheral on Saturday, November 08, 2008 5:25:03 AM

From My Perspective - - -

The Lottery has become one of those promotions that attract people to “take a chance”! Just spend a couple of dollars and one may be the next Jackpot (or Powerball) Winner. There’s a sad story connected to the man who won the largest lottery in 2002. The ABC News Report states: “On Christmas morning in 2002, Jack Whittaker woke up to perhaps the biggest gift imaginable. Whittaker had won the Powerball lottery jackpot -- a whopping $315 million.” When asked how he was doing and what had happened since his winning such a large amount, the report indicates: “Whittaker now says that he regrets winning the lottery. Since I won the lottery, I think there is no control for greed. I think if you have something, there's always someone else that wants it. I wish I'd torn that ticket up. Whittaker had the very best of intentions: He truly wanted to share his good fortune and help people. I wanted to build churches, he said. I wanted to get people food that didn't have food. I wanted to provide clothing for children that needed clothing. Within months, Whittaker was making good on his promise. He handed over $15 million for the construction of two churches alone.

The initial blitz of publicity meant that everyone knew about Whittaker's record-breaking win, and he was besieged by requests for help. In order to deal with these requests, he formed the Jack Whittaker Foundation...There were so many letters that they wouldn't even deliver the mail. It was nothing for us to sit for 10 hours just opening envelopes…” The bottom line to this story is stated: “Whittaker believes that money isn't what makes people happy -- family is -- Family is what is dear…I don't know where it'll end. But you know, I just don't like Jack Whittaker. I don't like the hard heart I've got. I don't like what I've become."

Read about eight other lottery winners who realized sudden wealth was not the answer for their personal happiness - http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/8lotteryWinnersWhoLostTheirMillions.aspx

At a National level, it seems as though the Lottery Mentality is operating at fever pitch. Banks need assistance; Financial Investment Institutions need a bailout; A large Insurance/Investment Company needs a $105 Billion loan; The Automotive Industry is seeking a $50 Billion Loan; Mortgage Holders are facing almost certain foreclosure unless the government steps in; the growing number of unemployed want assistance and benefits; people want health insurance provided; many are anticipating additional monies through a stimulus package amounting to near $150 Billion… The nation itself is racing toward Bankruptcy – but – no one seems ready to say, “We must stop handouts and spending!” Where will this money come from? Who will pay all the dollars in outlays? Can we afford to spend beyond our means? The answer to all of this is to increase Taxes for the top 5% in our country, and to assess the Oil Companies a Surtax (Windfall Profit Tax) on their earnings. But curtail spending? Never! Exercise thrift? Why! Work hard and save before spending? No way! Just - Give Me More!

Consider these things with me - - - and remember the saying from years ago: “A fool and his money are easily parted.” It conveys the thought that “If you spend money carelessly and are cheated easily then you are a fool.” Jesus taught in a very practical way and warned in Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." The Wisdom Writer asks in Proverbs 17:16, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” And raises a parallel though in Ecclesiastes 5:10, 13-14 – “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income…This too is meaningless…I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.” I Timothy 6:10, says:”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.” Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” We need to be wise custodians of all the Lord entrusts to us! Try it! You’ll be surprised to find that a penny saved is a penny earned. Trust the Lord always!
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Deal Or No Deal

Posted by peripheral on Friday, September 26, 2008 5:59:32 AM

From My Perspective - - -

Howie Mandel has taken a “no-brainer” concept for a Game Show and popularized it to a leading prime-time program. There is currently a daily format as well. The simple idea is to guess which case out of 26 contains one million dollars. The concept is not dissimilar to an earlier program with Monty Hall called Lets Make A Deal. Both programs are based on the gambling instincts of people and/or the greed principle. With one program, guess the case with the Million Dollars; with the other, choose Door Number1, Number 2, or Number 3 for the big prize of day!

As we hear the news headlines of the past several days, the United States Economy is in jeopardy. It is difficult to determine the depths of it because of the prolonged period of Deficit Spending that has gone on for years. Now, the key word is “Bail-Out” companies that have been mismanaged and/or misrepresented the true worth of the particular company. Some name companies that have failed in recent years include Global Crossing, Enron, Adelphia, and Worldcom. Currently, everything from Investment Centers to Banks to Major Corporations with Bankruptcy and/or Closure! Overnight, Bank Regulators closed one of the largest banks in the nation – Washington Mutual – and the assets were taken over by JP Morgan. The Congress of the United States believes the solution is to obligate the nation for 700 billion dollars to bail out Mortgage Holders and other businesses. While the nation is focused on the much bigger picture of the economy, the House of Representatives approved a 25 Billion Dollar for the Automotive Industry (with promise of additional relief next week). There was the $85 Billion for AIG. Pick the case for the Million Dollar Jackpot. Is the Big Deal behind Door Number 1, Number 2, or Number 3?

Receiving little notice are some religious broadcasters who are appealing for funds in a very clever but erroneous way. The erroneous appeal is to SOW SEED (Money). Some ask for the Seed Money of $100.00, although it is usually $1,000.00. In a very convincing but erroneous way, they suggest that you cannot receive your harvest unless you plant your seed (money). The idea is to send your money to those soliciting the seed. The appeal is that if you do so THE BOAZ ANOINTING will be reciprocated in your behalf. An Evangelist named Mike Murdock has popularized this erroneous approach. He explains it as: Anointed Numbers (and a Boaz Anointing)- “The reason I’m praying for 70 is that number is a anointing number under Moses, And God said whoever the 70 people are that respect your mantle, that respect your anointing, Moses every time I bless you I’ll bless them. What I’m asking God to do is every time He blesses Mike Murdock he blesses you, every time he gives me a financial idea he gives you one. Every time he silences the Devil for me, He’ll silence an enemy for you. Every time God heals my son, He heals yours. That’s a Boaz anointing (according to Murdock), the anointing you respect is the anointing that grows in your life.”

However, the story of Boaz and Ruth is a very tender one pertaining to Love and Redemption. Boaz was a very wealthy man who lived in Bethlehem. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem with Ruth, her widowed daughter-in-law, she sent her into the fields of Boaz to glean. Boaz learned that Ruth's deceased husband was a distant relative of his. He acted kindly towards Ruth and instructed his farm workers to leave extra sheaves of barley for her to gather. Ruth had another relative of her late husband who was closer than Boaz. By law, the other relative was obligated to marry her, as stated in Deuteronomy 25:5 through 10. Boaz confronted the other relative with this law, and after the relative refused to marry Ruth, Boaz agreed to marry her, and to buy the estate of her deceased husband. After they were married, Ruth had a son named Obed, who became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David.

Consider these things with me - - - remembering that Redemption and Stewardship – Faith and Focus - are the determining Facts and Principles by which our lives are to be lived. God is faithful and will honor those who honor Him (I Samuel 2:30)! Let’s Plant This Seed and Make This Deal!

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