The following quotes are from a book by Warren Wiersbe, On Being a Servant of God. They are some of the bravest, bluntest statements I have ever read. Read and enjoy or endure!

Because it has power and can slowly seduce us into treating it like a god. Instead of loving  God with all the heart, soul, and mind, we try to love God and  money; and before long, God loses out. The desire for money possesses the heart; thoughts of ways to get money control the  mind; and before long, the will is captured, and money starts  to rule the will. No wonder Paul equated “covetousness” with  “idolatry” (Col. 3:5).

Money is a very satisfying substitute for God. After all, money  is more tangible, and less faith is required to trust it.

Money is the god of modern civilization, and its worship has invaded the church. It makes no difference what kind of character people have, if they are “successful”-translate that “rich and famous”-they are admired and imitated, even by Christians, who ought to know better. These celebrities show up in pulpits and are interviewed on religious radio and television. The “health and wealth” preachers have convinced millions of people that poverty is the penalty for unbelief and that the unpardonable sin is driving a used car when God can give you a stretch limousine.

Money is the “god of this world:’ and it empowers millions of people to enjoy life by living on substitutes. With money, they can buy entertainment, but they can’t buy joy. They can go to the drugstore and buy sleep, but they can’t buy peace. Their money will attract lots of acquaintances but very few real friends. Wealth gains them admiration and envy but not love. It buys the best in medical services, but it can’t buy health.

Paul next asks for open doors to preach the gospel. That is exactly what your missionary is going to need the minute he arrives on the field. Just where will he preach? Who will listen to him? He needs God to direct his paths. He needs to know where to go. He needs God to open doors. This is a definite way that you can help by praying. Even Paul had to have open doors. There are multiplied millions of folks out there. Most of them have never heard the gospel. But where will I really be able to have success. Where will I find some folks to listen to me? I need your prayers for open doors. Your pastor needs the same thing in prayer. He goes soul winning. He tells folks about Jesus and often times we do not have the success that we could have if we would just go where He has prepared the way and the hearts of folks. Today why don’t you pray for your missionary and for your pastor that God would show him where to go and that God would open doors and prepare hearts for the gospel message?

Paul also realized that it was more than just having open doors. He would need to know how to preach, witness and talk. God open doors but then teach me how to talk to them. What should I say? How do I get the message across? Especially crossing cultural boundaries and speaking in another language we need special help from ‘God. Will you pray for your missionary that God would move in this way? This also would include special pray for your missionary while he or she is in language school. We have the message. We don’t have the tools of how to get it to them. We need another language. They are all hard. We must pray that God would encourage them and help them get the language.

Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 2Thessalonians 3:1-2

Finally Paul asks them to pray that the word of God might have free course and be glorified. It was the word of God that changed our lives. Paul asks them to pray for free course. That means that nothing would hinder the working of the word of God. That means that the Bible would be able to run through them and their society.