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 For what profit will a man have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? or what can a man give to buy back his soul?
36 What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?
9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and injurious passions which plunge men into destruction and ruin.
7 For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot carry anything out.8 If we have food and clothing we will be content with these.
7 For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot carry anything out.8 If we have food and clothing we will be content with these.
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 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust corrode and where thieves break in and steal.20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrodes and where thieves do not break in nor steal.
21 For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.
21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go sell your property and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and then 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 Religion with contentment is a great source of gain.
17 Command those who are rich in this world not to be haughty nor to fix their hope on uncertain wealth, but on God who provides all things richly for our enjoyment.
5 Let your lives be free from the love of money. Be content with what you have. For he has said, "I will not fail you nor will I forsake you."
5 Treat the members of your earthly bodies as dead \'97 dead to unchastity, impurity, passion, evil desire, and avarice, which is idolatry.
15 He said to them, "See to it and be on your guard against every form of covetousness, for not even when one has a superabundance is his life from the things he owns."
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 we contemplate not the things that are seen, but the things unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things unseen are eternal.
9 Also that the women adorn themselves in becoming dress modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothes,10 but \'97 as is becoming for women professing piety \'97 with good deeds.
32 The multitude of those who had believed was of one heart and one soul, and no one said that any part of his property was his own, but they had all things in common.