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 What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
36 For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own life?
9 Those who desire to be rich fall into the snares of temptation and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
7 for we have brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out!8 So if we have food and shelter, let us be content with that.
7 for we have brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out!8 So if we have food and shelter, let us be content with that.
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 "Store up for yourselves no treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;20 "but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21 "For wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
21 "If you want to be perfect," said Jesus, "go, sell your property, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
6 Now godliness with contentment is truly gainful;
17 Charge the rich of this world not to be supercilious, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in God, who provides all things richly for our use.
5 Let your life be untainted by love of money; be content with such things as you have; for God himself has said, I will never leave thee; I will never forsake thee.
5 So slay your baser inclinations. fornication, impurity, appetite, unnatural desires, and the greed which is idolatry.
15 And to the people he said, "Take heed and guard yourselves from all covetousness, for a mans life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses."
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 I am gazing not at things seen, but at things unseen; for things seen are temporal, but things unseen are eternal.
9 in like manner also the women. I desire women to clothe themselves in suitable apparel, adorning themselves with reverence and self- restraint; not with hair plaited with gold or pearls, or with expensive clothes,10 but (as becomes women proclaiming godliness) with the ornament of good deeds.
32 Now the multitude of the believers was of one heart and one soul, nor did any one of them say that any of his possessions was his own; but they had all things common.