Money / Wealth: The Bible says

Is there something positive to be gained from September 11, the Worldwide Sharemarket correction, the current re-stabilisation of the property market after major rises in value. Superannuation and Annuity units have fallen and risen in value. Where is the DOW and NASDAQ indicies headed now? Can we learn something?

Yes we can! Money and Wealth are transient. What is important? Our relationships with Jesus Christ, our relations, our friends and people around us in the community.

THE OLD TESTAMENT
Proverbs 16: v 8
Better a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Proverbs 16: v 19
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 22: v 16
He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich----both come to poverty.
Proverbs 23: v 4 - 5
(4) Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
(5) Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 28: v 6
Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.
Ecclesiastes 5: v 10
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.

THE NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew 6: v 19-21 (See also Luke 12: v 32-34)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6: v 24 (See also Luke 16: v 13, Luke 12: 22 - 31)
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 19: v 21-26 The Rich Young Ruler
The young man had lived a righteous life and asked the Lord Jesus what else he must do to obtain eternal life.
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples,"I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
"When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 16: v26
Jesus said "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"

Luke 12: v 15
Jesus said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Jesus then told the Parable of the Foolish Entrepreneur
A rich man produced a excellent crop. He had no where to store his produce.
Luke 12: v 18 - 21
"Then he (the rich man)said, "This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."
"But God said to him, "You fool!" This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

1 Timothy 6: 9-10
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap (snare) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Hebrews 13: v 5
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""

1 John 2: v 17
"The world and its desires passing away; but the man who does the will of God lives forever." The Big question surely is: Why do we put so much effort into gaining more and more, when this world's goods and luxury items are not eternal?


In summary, the acquisition of wealth is a trap many fall into. No matter how high our prosperity level, it's never high enough. Is it? We really must have that new car and the new holiday home. That will certainly make me complete and happy!

The key issue is: Have you determined your heavenly assets recently? Have you any?
As a first step; Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Saviour? The size of your bank balance will be of no importance when you die and meet your Maker. Mr Bill Gates is headed for the grave just like you and me.
So clarify your priorities, ladies and gentlemen. Assess what's really important today. If your not a Christian make a decision now, before the trap of riches may lock you in and ensnaring your energies for the rest of your life.

What does the Bible say about Giving / Generosity.
 What does the Bible say about Prosperity Teaching.
 ASKTHEBIBLE Home page
Date of Revision 3th July 2004