Materialismo
O materialismo é uma armadilha espiritual. A Bíblia alerta que o amor ao dinheiro é raiz de todos os males e nos chama a buscar tesouros no céu, não na terra.
O perigo das riquezas
Que aproveita ao homem ganhar o mundo inteiro e perder a sua alma? O materialismo engana e afasta do que realmente importa.
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?
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
9 For those that desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.8 So that, sustenance and covering, let us be content with this.
7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.8 So that, sustenance and covering, let us be content with this.
Tesouros no céu
Ajuntai tesouros no céu, onde traça e ferrugem não consomem. O bom nome vale mais que muitas riquezas, e a sabedoria supera o ouro.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal;20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou desire to be perfect, go [and] sell what thou hast and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come [and] follow me.
1 A [good] reputation [is] rather to be chosen than great riches [and] good grace rather than silver and gold.
16 How much better [is it] to acquire wisdom than gold! and to acquire understanding is worth more than silver!
16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
6 But piety with contentment is great gain.
17 Charge those that are rich in this world, that they not be highminded, not placing their hope in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness, [and be] content with such things as ye have; for he has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil lust, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
15 And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of [all] covetousness; for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
10 He that loves money shall not be satisfied with money; nor he that loves abundance with increase; this [is] also vanity.
15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
O invisível acima do visível
As coisas que se veem são temporais; as que não se veem são eternas. Devemos fixar os olhos no que é permanente e verdadeiro.
18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen [are] temporal, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.:
11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination.
4 Riches shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness shall deliver from death.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon riches which are not? For they shall certainly make themselves wings; they shall fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
26 There is [one] who covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and keeps on giving.
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread of my judgment:
9 In like manner also that the women adorn themselves in an honest manner, with shyness and modesty, not with ostentatious hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing10 but with good works (as becomes women professing godliness).
32 And of the multitude of those that had believed was one heart and one soul; no one said that anything he possessed was his own, but they had all things common.