<TITLE>21. Par 273-283</TITLE>L-273   He, he increased in goods. Now, many people think because... That's where I hear some of the Christian business men, one time, always testifying in these meetings, how the Lord prospered you. Sometimes that's absolutely the very facts of evidence that you failed. That's right. How different this Pentecostal group is today from what it was in that day! When they got the Holy Ghost, they got rid of all they had, to start the ministry. Yeah. And, today, we try to say we got a millions, and all like this here. [Congregation applauds--Ed.] Now, that is right. It sure is the truth. And we call ourselves Pentecostal.

L-274   I said that one time, at one of the meetings I heard some of the men testifying, Brother Demos and them present. I said, "You men, I'm among you because I love you, and I think you've got something. But I'm in here to help you, to do everything I can. I hope you understand me." I said, "Tonight, all you done was tell about how many Cadillacs you got, and how much you--you was willing to..." I said, "Them men has got more Cadillacs than you ever could have. Tell them about how to get rid of something they got, of this worldly stuff; and get Something in their heart, God Word, to vindicate." See?"

L-275   There was a fine, little Pentecostal brother. He may be sitting here now. I've nothing against him. He raised up. And many of the businessmen setting here knows this is exactly the truth. And I said... He said, "But, Brother Branham, that's where the great mistake was made."
I said, "What mistake did God make?"

L-276 He said, "Why, those people that sold their goods and--and divided amongst the poor, like Jesus told this rich man to do, divide it amongst the poor, they made a mistake. For, as soon as the persecution rose, they had no home to go to."

L-277 I said, "My brother, you claim to be Pentecost, and think that the Holy Ghost can make a mistake? God's Word ever remains the same."
He said, "Well, they didn't have any place to go."

L-278 "That's exactly what God had them to do it for. Then they went from place to place, scattering the Gospel. They didn't have any place else to go." See? I know. But, today, we take it so different.

L-279   Let's watch this rich young fellow who made this rashal mistake as a businessman. I want to ask you, brethren. Wasn't that a horrible mistake for a businessman? [One brother says, "Yeah."--Ed.] The audience, wasn't that a horrible mistake for a businessman? [Congregation says, "Amen."] What greater business could he--could he have accomplished anything in, than have Eternal Life?

L-280 How many Cadillacs would you give, at the end of your road? What would Demos Shakarian have done the other day when that heart started jumping, and he was going out? I ask you. Think of it. What's your church membership, what's your popularity, going to do? What's going to happen to you when you have all these things, then have to meet God? There's no pockets in shrouds. You meet God with your soul. And the way that soul is, it produced what kind of a life you are. And if that life in you denies this Word, then get rid of it, and get a life that will stay with that Word and make God live in you. Right.

L-281   There is something wrong, something won't make the women tally right up. I don't care how many times they speak with tongues. I don't care how many times they do this. That don't mean a thing. Your fruit speaks louder than your voice. See? Certainly, it does. The Holy Spirit is humility, humble.

L-282 You say, "I don't have to do that." I know you don't. A sheep don't have to be sheared, either, but it gives its wool freely, if you're a sheep. Now, a goat will kick up all kind of a fuss about it. So now you see where you're standing, when God's shears begins to shear you. I don't say that...

L-283 I'm not saying that for joke. This is not a place for jokes. This is a pulpit. This is the place where judgment goes out.


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