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 good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?
For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall 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 rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, 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 complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
On Life and Conduct
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth;
Favor is better than silver and gold.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure, and turmoil with the treasure.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,"
Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
But He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions."
The Foolishness of Riches
One who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor one who loves abundance with its income. This too is futility.
As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry 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.
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.
A rich person’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.
Riches do not benefit on the day of wrath,
But righteousness rescues from death.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
All day long he is craving,
While the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
Sharing among Believers
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of themclaimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.