How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16
WISDOMABOVEGOLD.COM
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15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:
for a man's life consisteth not
in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke 12:15
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(He did not say it was a matter of achieving a 'healthy' balance. He said mixing materical aspiration with a spiritual walk could not be done.)
Matthew 6:24
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 4:18-19
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:13-15
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1John 2:15-16
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Corinthians 5:11
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Ephesians 5:5
Christ's Unequivocal Warning
Christ required special vigilance towards only one of the Mosaic commandments. When speaking to his devote circle of intimate disciples he saw no need to caution them not to steal, murder or commit adultery. Rather, the warning he gave targeted the most seductive of foibles-covetousness. In a country where 'believers' can scarcely differentiate between what it means to be a good Christian from what it means to be a good 'American' this pitfall has fully developed into the adversary's most successful weapon of accusation.
(What was President Bush's recommendation for all citizens of character following the 9/11 tragedy?
to shop!)
I heard an astute woman on youtube once say, 'The churches are being popularized as GIANT CASINOS'. Put in your 10 percent tithe with the expectation that God will provide a hefty increase on the investment. This notion is commonly supported with OLD TESTAMENT scripture. What is usually not mentioned is the fact Christ became poor for our sakes (according to Paul) & required abstinence from us. Why? Because he was setting the example for how one must comport in order to be eligible for salvation. Remember this-when Christ was fasting in the desert it was Satan that offered him all the kingdoms of the earth. I repeat what I've written elsewhere on this site-The god of the churches that 'owns ALL the money in this world' is not YOUR friend! What's his ploy? Well, if he can accuse you of loving & being inordinately attached to this world, you will not be judged ready to leave here when the one time opportunity arrives. Please don't fall for such obvious bait. The first Christians were especially careful to steer clear of this brand of soul corruption. How? They sold their lands & houses so that 'none among them were poor & hungry'. Remember one more thing. Institutional perversion on the issue of money is indefensible. No, institutional leadership may not distort the message of Christ in order to get the mortgage paid. Please stay vigilant & safe.