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 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken through.
36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
9 But those who are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful desires, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
7 for we brought nothing into the world, neither can we carry anything out;8 but having food and covering we will be content with this.
7 for we brought nothing into the world, neither can we carry anything out;8 but having food and covering we will be content with this.
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 and from him who takes away your cloak don't withhold your coat also.20 Give to everyone who asks you; and of him who takes away your goods don't ask [for them] back.
21 And as you{} would that men should do to you{}, do{} to them likewise.
21 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
1 A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches, [And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, Than great treasure and trouble with it.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain:
17 Charge those who are rich in this present age, not to be highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
5 Be{} free from the love of money; content with such things as you{} have: for he himself has said, I will never fail you, neither will I ever forsake you.
5 Put to death therefore your{} members which are on the earth: fornication, impurity, immoral sexual passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry;
15 And he said to them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all greed: for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
15 As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked he will go again as he came, and will take nothing for 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.
18 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 temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivers from death.
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flies toward heaven.
26 There is one who covets greedily all the day long; But the righteous gives and does not withhold.
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me:
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;10 but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works.
32 And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul: and not one [of them] said that anything of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.