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.
For what will a person be benefited if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what will a person give in exchange for his life?
For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction.
For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. But if we have food and clothing, with these things we will be content.
For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. But if we have food and clothing, with these things we will be content.
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.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and consuming insect destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor consuming insect destroy and where thieves do not break in or steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the proceeds to the poor—and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me."
A reputation is to be chosen rather than great riches;
favor is better than silver and gold.
Getting wisdom: how much better than gold!
And getting understanding: it is chosen over silver.
Better is little with the fear of Yahweh
than great treasure and trouble with it.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain.
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be proud and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who provides us all things richly for enjoyment,
Your lifestyle must be free from the love of money, being content with what you have. For he himself has said, "I will never desert you, and I will never abandon you."
Therefore put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry,
And he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
Whoever loves money is not satisfied with money,
and whoever loves wealth is not satisfied with profit.
This also is vanity!
Just as he came from his mother’s womb naked, he will depart just as he came; he will take nothing with him for his toil.
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.
because we are not looking at what is seen, but what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.
The wealth of the rich is his strong city,
and like a wall, it is high in his imagination.
Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath,
but righteousness will deliver from death.
Your eyes will alight on it, but there is nothing to it,
for suddenly it will make for itself wings
like an eagle and it will be exhausted in the heavens.
All day he craves a craving,
but the righteous will give and not hold back.
Keep falsehood and a lying word far from me;
do not give me poverty or wealth;
provide me with food only for my need.
Likewise also the women should adorn themselves in appropriate clothing, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold jewelry or pearls or expensive clothing, but with good deeds which are fitting for women who profess godliness.
Now the group of those who believed were one heart and soul, and no one said anything of what belonged to him was his own, but all things were theirs in common.