For taking your time to study remain blessed.
January Wednesday 16th
TOPIC: THREE BASIC BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON WEALTH
TEXT: Luke 12:15-21
KEY VERSE: Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.
Jesus, the apostles and even the prophets of Old Testament times all preached against materialism, but that is not to say true believers cannot possess wealth. A comprehensive review of relevant biblical passages reveals three basic principles about wealth.
1. Wealth in itself is not expressly condemned in scripture. In Genesis 13:2 the Bible says, “Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.” Similarly, righteous Job was a man of great influence and riches as recorded in Job 1:3, “His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” In scripture, wealth is seen as evidence of God’s blessing (Deut. 8; 28; Prov. 22:2; Eccles. 5:19), but the believer is admonished not to trust in uncertain riches (Prov. 11:4; 11:28; Jer. 9:23; 1 Tim. 6:17; James 1:11; 5:2).
2. When wealthy people in the Bible were condemned, they were condemned for the means through which their riches were acquired or the evil use to which they put their riches, not for the riches themselves. Prophet Amos railed against the injustice of obtaining wealth through oppression or fraud (4:11; 5:11). Micah spoke against unjust scales with which traders defrauded the poor (6:1).
3. Believers should be mindful of the effect of wealth on their lives. We read in Proverbs 30:8-9 and Hosea 13:6 that wealth often tempts us to forget about God. Wealthy believers may no longer look up to God for their daily provision and basic needs. Ironically, we read in scripture that in spite of the magnetic pull of riches, it cannot satisfy the desires of the heart or fill the vacuum of life. Those who love riches never have enough and riches often take away sleep from the eyes of the wealthy for “the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”
While the scripture does not condemn the wealthy, it does warn that if God blesses us with wealth, we must get our priorities right and guard against its corruptive influence.
Thought for the day: If God gives you wealth, don’t let it displace God in your life.
Song for the day: Something more than gold … the word of God in the life of man
Bible reading for the day:
Genesis 38-40; Matthew 12:22-50
#Horemow.
January Wednesday 16th
TOPIC: THREE BASIC BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON WEALTH
TEXT: Luke 12:15-21
KEY VERSE: Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.
Jesus, the apostles and even the prophets of Old Testament times all preached against materialism, but that is not to say true believers cannot possess wealth. A comprehensive review of relevant biblical passages reveals three basic principles about wealth.
1. Wealth in itself is not expressly condemned in scripture. In Genesis 13:2 the Bible says, “Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.” Similarly, righteous Job was a man of great influence and riches as recorded in Job 1:3, “His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” In scripture, wealth is seen as evidence of God’s blessing (Deut. 8; 28; Prov. 22:2; Eccles. 5:19), but the believer is admonished not to trust in uncertain riches (Prov. 11:4; 11:28; Jer. 9:23; 1 Tim. 6:17; James 1:11; 5:2).
2. When wealthy people in the Bible were condemned, they were condemned for the means through which their riches were acquired or the evil use to which they put their riches, not for the riches themselves. Prophet Amos railed against the injustice of obtaining wealth through oppression or fraud (4:11; 5:11). Micah spoke against unjust scales with which traders defrauded the poor (6:1).
3. Believers should be mindful of the effect of wealth on their lives. We read in Proverbs 30:8-9 and Hosea 13:6 that wealth often tempts us to forget about God. Wealthy believers may no longer look up to God for their daily provision and basic needs. Ironically, we read in scripture that in spite of the magnetic pull of riches, it cannot satisfy the desires of the heart or fill the vacuum of life. Those who love riches never have enough and riches often take away sleep from the eyes of the wealthy for “the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”
While the scripture does not condemn the wealthy, it does warn that if God blesses us with wealth, we must get our priorities right and guard against its corruptive influence.
Thought for the day: If God gives you wealth, don’t let it displace God in your life.
Song for the day: Something more than gold … the word of God in the life of man
Bible reading for the day:
Genesis 38-40; Matthew 12:22-50
#Horemow.
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