During the middle ages, the Catholic Church got themselves into a lot of trouble with people and also God with their practice of indulgences. This was when the pope, cardinals, and priests began teaching that those who are suffering in purgatory can be released and forgiven through people’s offerings/money. And because the sale of indulgences became popular, this is one reason why the Catholic church became wealthy. This was not because God was backing them, but because of their strong delusion upon the people at large. Now, we know that nobody can save the lives of those who have already died, nor themselves through money. Praise be to God that God sent Martin Luther to stop this false teaching in its tracks with his 95 theses that he wrote and put on the door of the Wittenberg Catholic church in 1517. This was then published and got out to the masses at large. This document helped people know that indulgences are evil, that repentance is necessary when we sin, and other important truths from the Bible.
When it comes to the importance of indulgences and penances from people, why do you think it came to be? If people read in Exodus, chapter 30, they would have very well misinterpreted the following verses. It is written, “every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.” (Exodus 30:14-16) Only in the old covenant did people offer money for the atonement of their souls. This was done away with, with Christ. He doesn’t require anything from us, but to believe in and follow Him alone. Then, are we adopted into His fold and are saved. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us to know Your will for our lives and not the false teachings of men. For centuries people have tried to make money from the gospel message. In the middle ages, the Catholic church sold indulgences, in order to build up their church funds, while we also see televangelists and other preachers asking for thousands of dollars to bolster not their ministry, but hidden agendas. Truly, many people in times past were duped into giving their money in order to free people from purgatory and to even save their own souls through penances. These evil popes, cardinals, and bishops, were not for You but for their fleshly needs instead. The same goes with people in our time that take people’s money and use it on planes, expensive cars, mansions, and more. Lord, I pray that people will know when they are under a strong delusion and also run from it. I am grateful that You have given me wisdom, in order to not participate in any church whose goal is to take people’s money and not use it for Your glory. I love You, Lord. Amen.
