Not for Money

By Daniel Brian Simmons

Ideally, there is not a price tag on everything, meaning that it cannot be bought or sold. Not for Money has its Christian born-again author who takes on the topic of money, specifically tithes and free will offerings. It is as a reoccurring dream or thread like theme throughout the book.

The usual four-line poem expressions also touch on the author's dealings with others around him, his selfishness, versus love and service.

If you as the reader do not consider yourself a Christian, this book is for you, neither did the author at one time. If you are a Christian, this book is for you, equally. The scriptures of the Bible accompany many poems as a reinforcement and origin of inspiration. Not for Money enjoys parables.

In conclusion, when Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness, or desert, to be tempted of the devil for the third time, the Bible says:

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith (says) unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt (will) fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt (shall) worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 4:8–11

This temptation was nothing less than corruption, an offer to take a short cut to get ahead, a premature undue glory that Jesus saw right through. Speaking the written word of God, Jesus defended His stance that finally rid Him of further temptation. Tragically, for Jesus this meant the cross, the long way, to the permanent glory, securing for us all eternal life.

With the example that Jesus set, and to be followed, How can we ask to be paid money, when we proclaim this most tremendous history, of Jesus' courage? The answer is we cannot, and should not anymore.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098058401

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Not for Money

Daniel Brian Simmons

Copyright © 2020 by Daniel Brian Simmons

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Lost Poems and Thoughts from 1977 and 2012, Later Found

Is it the game you love, or the person you love?

At first it seems to be the game, then after the game is played by both, it is realized the game is for the satisfaction of one’s own goal of dominance.

After the game is won, there is where you will find out what you are really playing for.

If you play for the love of the game, the game has already been won. So there is nothing more to accomplish. You then drop the game to find another one.

If you are playing this game for the love, after the game is won, you will be all clear to love, as you should have in the first place, but minus a little playing time.

Spring of 1977 at Niagara University, New York

I’m having trouble expressing what I feel.

If I come on too hard I’ll blow the whole deal.

We do a lot of complaining about what’s not right.

Misery loves company. Let’s get him up tight.

Follow the leader; does he know where he’s at?

You’d better be sure he’s not blind as a bat.

Any fool can dream up bad things for those who will listen,

but can he take his share, of what he’s been dishing?

Forget the world. Be not critical of them.

Don’t be too busy analyzing who to condemn.

We’re Americans, living in the home of the brave,

calling ourselves adults, teaching our children how to behave.

Keep on stressing the buck, more technology; we’re all in the race.

Dog eat dog…talk behind backs. Why not tell it to their face?

Can’t be too honest…someone might take advantage of you.

We act like animals caged up, just like in a zoo.

Somewhere along the rail, the train got off the track

and headed in a direction where there is only one way back.

The poor caboose will have to lead the way out.

Powerful locomotive, you’ve failed. Now learn what it’s all about.

The best things in life are free. So let’s get back on track

and let those nouns in the ghetto express where it’s at.

Spring of 1977 at Niagara University

If you feel like a failure

~don’t worry~

because the salvation of your soul

does not depend on

your success.

date unknown

"For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God.

Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 2:8–9

In the closet you can stay.

I have a promise when I pray

to the Father who in secret sees:

He will reward me openly.

8:16 p.m., Sunday, July 11, 2010

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites (insincere) are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:5–6

Rather poor to rot than corrupt to live.

Wait on God’s own hand to give.

He will do so. It’s a narrow way.

Not many willing its price to pay.

4:22 p.m., July 8, 2012

Rooting on their favorite team

spectators from the sidelines scream.

An audience is more reserved;

entertainment undisturbed.

Only one participates:

as during church…everyone waits.

5:49 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2012

A close-knit group I can see

the effect of gossip about me.

Maybe I’m just paranoid,

but why do they now me avoid?

2:56 a.m., July 11, 2012

The Kingdom of God will extend.

Upon tithes and offerings it does not depend.

The Word of God will never be bound:

wherever the truth of Jesus, Christ is found.

7: 21 a.m., March 28, 2014, amended on July 23, 2014

The Bible I wonder have you found

all this time walking around

on littered streets hard to the core:

for us a treasure, God has in store.

7:53 a.m., March 28, 2014, revised 11:56 a.m., January 19, 2016:

The treasure is Jesus. Modified on January 16, 2020 in Mexico City

Paul said:

For I wish you to know how great a struggle I have on behalf of you and the ones in Laodicea and as many as have not seen the face of me in flesh, in order that may be comforted the hearts of them, being joined together in love and for all riches of the full assurance of understanding, for full knowledge of the mystery of God, of Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge hidden.

Colossians 2:1–3

(The interlinear, King James Version, KJV; New International Version, NIV; Parallel New Testament in Greek and English by Alfred Marshall)

"And you hath he quickened (made alive, gave life) who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

"Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past

in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh

and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath,

even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith

he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened

(made alive) us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved;)".

Ephesians 2:1–5

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling of the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

But if our gospel (good news of Jesus Christ) be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

2 Corinthians 4:1–7

Cluttered heart with all kinds of stuff

this world can offer, but never enough.

Jesus only satisfies.

The heart’s void He occupies.

11:28 a.m., Friday March 28, 2014, amended on July 23, 2016

To administrate

don’t count on me,

nor a dispensation

committed be.

To tell this world

I volunteer.

Our need of Jesus

is sincere.

Out in the public,

we’d cut the cost:

where one would go

to find the lost.

3:06 p.m., March 31, 2014 and 7:40 a.m., April 1, 2014

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:14

"For if I do this thing willingly (what thing? preach the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ),

I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel."

1 Corinthians 9:17–18

Dispensation in the original Greek language, found in the Strong’s Concordance is Oikonomia #3622 derived from the Greek word, Oikonomos # 3623.

Oikonomia #3622 = administration ( of a family or property); specifically ~economy~ (religiously):—stewardship, administration, commission, dispensation.

Oikonomos #3623 = distributor of the house ( i.e. = that is, administrator), or supervisor, i.e., employed in that capacity; financial agent (treasurer); figuratively speaking: preacher (of the evangelio or gospel): healer, stewardship.

Oikos # 3624 = habitation (literally or figuratively):—family, house, temple.

1 Corinthians 9:17b…"but if against my will (Paul writes) a dispensation or:

an administration of a family or property, an economy (in terms of the

Christian religion) a stewardship, distributor of the house, a commission,

an administrator or supervisor employed in that capacity, a financial agent,

a preacher, healer and a stewardship…of the gospel is committed unto me."

The Apostle Paul wrote: "What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel."

without charge in the original Greek language is Adapanos #77 derived from dapane #1160 which comes from the word (dapto = to devour); to spend (as to consume);—expense. without charge would thus mean, Paul was saying:

"What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without to devour, without to spend as to consume and without expense, that I abuse not my power in the gospel."

My personal observations of the Apostle Paul, who wrote the First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 9, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, is this:

Paul’s reward was, "Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel"

1 Corinthians 9:18.

Paul sincerely did not want to charge the people money that gathered around him in public. As he spoke of Jesus, rivers of living water (figuratively, the Holy Spirit) would flow out of his gut. He witnessed the thirsty, innocent, by standers → drink for free.

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"

John 7:37–39

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17

I am sure that Paul was well aware of the power of money to corrupt one’s conscience…that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:18b

"Nevertheless we have not used this power; (priviledge) but suffer (put up with) all things, lest we should hinder (to put an obstacle, obstruction, impede, or to give an interruption, Greek = egkope, didomi ) the gospel of Christ."

Paul asked the Corinthians:

"Have we not power to eat and drink?

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife (a woman) as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (Cephas=Peter)

Or I only and Barnabas, have we not power to forbear working?

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

For it is written in the law of Moses, "Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?

Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void."

1 Corinthians 9:4–15

Paul’s reward? When he preaches the gospel or the great news of Jesus, who is Christ, he may make it without charge of money, and be free from all men, i.e., not employed by man, nor thus subject to man’s leverage: the threat of Paul losing his wage or salary, by the employer’s will (the people who pay tithes and or money offerings), but be made a servant unto all, to speak boldly, and finally gain the more…souls for Jesus.

And this ( all of the above) Paul does for the gospel’s sake, that he might be partaker of the gospel, thereof with us.

Conclusion

When the Lord Jesus Christ ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel; I believe Paul’s interpretation was that a man should live by the Spirit of God in him, and be a partaker of Jesus’ sufferings, in order to truly preach and participate in the greatest news ever: the salvation of souls. Paul didn’t indulge in tithes and money offerings. He was not of the Levite tribe, but of the tribe of Benjamin and sadly his example of zeal has not been followed. Having not used any of these things, I believe, reveals Paul’s interpretation, that: to live of the gospel would mean to suffer many things as Jesus had already forewarned him, For I (Jesus) will shew(show)him (Paul) how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Acts 9:16

If Paul had taken advantage of material things he could have been a very rich and comfortable man, but he would have gotten bogged down, and entrapped in all the present business negotiations of this life.

How would Paul have spread the gospel to the entire world, with divided interests?

Thorns choke the word.

And some (seed) fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it (the seed) and choked it.

Luke 8:7

"And that (seed) which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to perfection."

Luke 8:14

Many scriptures allude to the fact that Paul worked with his hands to support himself.

"Neither did we eat any man’s bread for naught; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

2 Thessalonians 3:8–9

Did not Jesus pay the tremendous, unthinkable price of bleeding out, up there on the cross, to save us?

What does money exchange have to do with our Savior Jesus Christ?

We are more than willing, even as the will is a part of our souls, to share our faith freely!

And going proclaim ye saying [,] has drawn near The kingdom of the heavens. Ailing {ones} heal ye, dead {ones} raise, lepers cleanse, demons expel; freely ye received, freely give. Do not provide gold nor silver nor brass in the girdles of you, nor a wallet for [the] way nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff; for worthy [is] the workman of the food of him.

Jesus said.

But if against my will 1 Corinthians 9:17b

There is where the money comes in!

Is