Skinny Cat Christian Leaders

I wrote previously of the Fat Cat Christian Leader - perhaps the shallowest, weakest, and fake leader of people known to mankind.  Second only to the Fat Cat is the "Skinny Cat Christian Leader."  This leader believes that self-denial is the path to God.  Claiming that God's children can have nothing, should not have nice things, should give it all away, should not have anything trendy,  should not get new things - this Skinny Cat has embraced a form of idolatry based on an absolutely ignorant knowledge of Scripture.

A great question for the Skinny Cat is, "Can you give me any example in God's Word (that is the unquestioned record of the people of God) where God blessed someone materially or physically?"  Of course the answer is a long line of affirmations.  Solomon, Priscilla and Aquilla, David, the entire nation of Israel, and countless others have been entrusted with mighty gifts from God.  There are times that God's people are in want and those when they find themselves with plenty but without question God promises and delivers many material blessings to many of His people.  He recorded it in His Word.

There are the lessons of those who are given much so that they may invest and give more or so they can give it away.  In fact, hasn't God blessed men and given them favor in dealing with the world so that they can prosper the works of God.  Are we not his vehicles?

Okay - I know, the classic TV evangelist and the 1,000 times more of him that aren't on TV teach that everyone should be wealthy, prosperous and then tell you to give it all to them.  So what!  They also teach that everyone who is sick should be healed - which is ludicrous because then how do we get to heaven?

Okay - I know, there are people who will want to use this refutation of the Skinny Cat to justify their Fat Cat Christian Leadership.  So what!  Anyone who would do that is a fool who uses sin to justify sin.

The point is that you do not find God in material self-denial.  You find God through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ alone.  You do not become a great leader because of material acts of sacrifice or denial.  You become a great Christian leader when God has your whole heart and then works through you through His Spirit.   The truth is the same as it has been for thousands of years:  when we find God, we will willingly practice self-denial in all areas.  Then we will own only the things that God tells us and when He tells us.

The greatest leaders are those who follow God and can justify everything they do with a simply, consistent, believable - "I am certain before God."  Okay, I know - many abuse that phrase but their lives show it.  A man or woman of God is known by their integrity in the faith.  When we are certain that we are only acting with God in plenty or in denial, then we will know that we are correct.

We cannot teach that people will find God in self-denial.  We cannot slander the wealthy.  Instead, we should pray for those with much.  The Bible says, "To whom much is given much is expected" and "It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  They have been given a great privilege (if their wealth came from God and at His call) and they can use some support as they lead.

Why is it that so many Fat Cat Leaders justify the Fat Cat lifestyle and so many Skinny Cats justify the Skinny Cat lifestyle?  Perhaps neither is correct and only doing exactly what our Father says is correct.  We had better be sure before we personally deny or gain.  Do you know how to be sure?