Many of his servants, like Abraham and David, were wealthy beyond imagination (Genesis 13:2; I Chronicles 29:1-5). They believe everyone has been asleep but themselves, yet Christ says, "They all slumbered and slept" (Matthew 25:1-13)! Why? Recall again that to whom much is given, the more shall be required. If any person has no need of God or Christ or of anything, it is because they really think highly of themselves. Is that interesting in light of the times in which we live? Today, an awful lot of people are interested in church government at this time. This, of course, is insincerity and hypocrisy, and it is a result of their indifference to Christ. No, God wants him to be zealous for Him! People normally use wealth to avoid the hardships of life, and although there is nothing intrinsically wrong with that, a person not spiritually astute will allow the comforts of wealth to erode his relationship with God. They professed that God was their god, but they proved their insincerity by not honoring Him with their attention, their time, their energy. He is so focused on other things—usually his own well-being—that he cannot see God. Living by Faith and God's Justice. 3:17 Because thou sayest - Therefore I counsel thee, &c. I am rich - In gifts and grace, as well as worldly goods. It is not only that they are Laodicean, but also that they are blind to their own state! Knowest not that thou are wretched. What could happen if someone is cruising along, not concentrating on his driving, and drifts into oncoming traffic, smashing into another car and killing its occupants? It is in reality often a sin of presumption, an ignoring of God and His law. He is hoping to break us out of this circle by rekindling an awareness of our spiritual need. If we think we are Laodicean, we may be waking up and beginning to see our faults. These things have their place, but what we see is Christ's concern with doctrine, conduct, warnings to repent, and promises of reward. They say they "have need of nothing." Because we have been baptized and have received God's Spirit, we have taken on the name "Christian." When He says He will vomit them out of His mouth, it shows great distaste - His own people are not enthusiastic or zealous about doing a work! 15I know thy workes, that thou art neither cold nor hot, I would thou wert cold or hot. He has to knock on the door, as it were, to be let into services or into their lives. John W. Ritenbaugh Laodiceanism is also the most refined form of worldliness. God was always on the back burner, so to speak. Their estimation of themselves strongly implies spiritual self-satisfaction. Since he has everything all figured out, and all his needs and many of his desires are met, he in his heart of hearts believes that he really does not need God! That is not wrong, but it misses some of the point because that conclusion is shallow and broad. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. Revelation 3:17 King James Version (KJV) 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art … It is the ignoring of a higher priority. How careful Christians must be in this time when the world and Satan are pressing their distractions upon us as never before! From the beginning to the end of its history, Israel's great sin was trying to get the best of both worlds. But the two greatest, related concerns for His church at the end are works (Revelation 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8, 15) and overcoming (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). Consider the possible effects of such a sin. It indicates someone who is weak, with no consideration of how wealthy he may be. The Laodicean has misjudged what is important in life, and therefore he prioritizes wrongly. Christ reacts strongly to this because the indifference of Laodiceanism cannot be trusted. He is blind to his nakedness and instructed to salve his eyes so he might see. In August 1987, a well-known evangelist in the church of God said, "You would be surprised how often the Work internally mirrors the world externally. He considers it essentially mean-spirited, as He is the object of their profession of faith, and what they claim is not backed by performance in their attitudes and works. The Laodiceans should have known better than what their actions reveal. Church members bring the world's ways into the body. Physically oriented, he is governed by human nature, rather than by God. He was low on their list of priorities. Externally, he looks like a good guy, and righteous too, but all the while, inside he is something else: He is totally hypocritical.