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.
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.
1 A good name is preferable to abundant riches, and good grace, to silver and to gold.
16 How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and confusion therewith.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
10 (5:9) He that loveth money will never be satisfied with money; nor he that loveth abundance, with any increase. Also this is vanity.
15 (5:14) As he came forth out of his mothers womb, naked will he return to go as he came; and not the least will he carry off for his toil, which he might take away with him.
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.
11 The rich mans wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
4 Wealth cannot profit on the day of wrath; but righteousness deliver from death.
5 When thou lettest merely thy eyes fly over it, it is no more: for it will ever make itself wings: like an eagle will it fly toward heaven.
26 All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
8 Vanity and lying words do thou remove far from me: neither poverty nor riches give thou unto me; let me eat the bread appointed unto me: