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 profiteth it to a man [or what profiteth to a man], if he win all the world, and suffer impairing of his soul? or what exchanging shall a man give for his soul?
For what profiteth it to a man, if he win all the world, and do impairing to his [own] soul?
For they that will be made rich, fall into temptation, and into the snare of the devil, and into many unprofitable desires and noxious, which drown men into death and perdition.
For we brought in nothing into this world, and no doubt, that we may not bear anything away.
But we having foods, and with what things we shall be covered [or clothed], be we satisfied with these things.
For we brought in nothing into this world, and no doubt, that we may not bear anything away.
But we having foods, and with what things we shall be covered [or clothed], be we satisfied with these things.
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 ye treasure to you treasures [here] in earth, where rust and moth destroyeth, and where thieves delve out, and steal;
but gather ye to you treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth destroyeth, and where thieves delve not out, nor steal.
For where thy treasure is, there also thine heart is.
Jesus saith to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go, and sell all things that thou hast, and give to poor men, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, and pursue me.
Better is a good name, than many riches; for good grace is above silver and gold.
Wield thou wisdom, for it is better than gold; and get thou prudence, for it is preciouser than silver.
Better is a little with the dread of the Lord, than many treasures and unfillable.
Contentamento e generosidade
Grande ganho é a piedade com contentamento. A cobiça é idolatria, mas a generosidade traz alegria e bênção.
But a great winning is piety, with sufficience.
Command thou to the rich men of this world, that they understand not highly [or proudly], neither that they hope in uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, that giveth to us all things plenteously to use;
Be your manners without covetousness, satisfied with present things; for he said, I shall not leave thee, neither forsake,
Therefore slay ye your members, which be on the earth, fornication, uncleanness, lechery, evil covetousness, and avarice, which is service of maumets [or simulacra];
And he said to them, See ye, and beware of all covetousness; for the life of a man is not in the abundance of the things, which he wieldeth.
An avaricious man shall not be [ful] filled of money; and he that loveth riches shall not take fruits of them; and therefore this is vanity.
As he went naked out of his mother’s womb, so he shall turn again; and he shall take away with him nothing of his travail.
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 that we behold not those things that be seen, but those [things] that be not seen. For those things that be seen, be but during for a short time [or temporal]; but those things that be not seen, be everlasting [or eternal].
The chattel [or substance] of a rich man is the city of his strength; and as a strong wall compassing him.
Riches shall not profit in the day of vengeance; but rightfulness [or rightwiseness] shall deliver from death.
Raise not thine eyes to riches, which thou mayest not have; for those [or they] shall make to them-selves pens or wings, as of an eagle, and they shall fly into heaven.
All day he coveteth and desireth; but he that is a just [or rightwise] man, shall give, and shall not cease.
Make thou far from me vanity and words of leasing; give thou not to me begging and riches; but give thou only necessaries to my lifelode;
Also women in suitable habit, with shamefastness and soberness arraying themselves, not in wreathed hairs, either in gold, or pearls, or precious clothes;
but that that becometh women, promising piety by good works.
And of all the multitude of men believing was one heart and one will; neither any man said anything of those things that he wielded to be his own, but all things were common to them.