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 profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, 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.
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Instructions to the Rich
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
Letyour conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;
Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.
This also is vanity.
As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return,
To go as he came;
And he shall take nothing from his labor
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.
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.
Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
Sharing in All Things
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.