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Materialismo: o perigo da riqueza e o contentamento

O que a Bíblia diz sobre o materialismo

Na Bíblia, o materialismo não se define pela posse de bens em si, mas pela ilusão de que o valor, a segurança e a identidade de uma pessoa dependem do que ela acumula. Jesus resumiu esse engano em Lucas 12:15 ao afirmar que a vida humana não consiste na abundância dos bens que possui, tratando a cobiça desenfreada como uma forma direta de idolatria.

He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."(Luke 12:15)

Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.(Colossians 3:5)

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? (Matthew 16:26)

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? (Mark 8:36)

Por que a confiança na riqueza falha

A Escritura expõe repetidamente a fragilidade dos bens terrenos. A riqueza não é eterna, não acompanha o indivíduo após a morte e é incapaz de comprar livramento espiritual. Além disso, a busca compulsiva por acumulação produz insatisfação crônica: quem faz do dinheiro sua fonte de esperança descobre que ele nunca é suficiente para preencher o coração.

He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.(Ecclesiastes 5:10)

As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.(Ecclesiastes 5:15)

For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.(1 Timothy 6:7,8)

But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.(1 Timothy 6:9)

Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.(Proverbs 11:4)

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.(Proverbs 18:11)

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?

For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.(Proverbs 23:5)

O contentamento como alternativa

Em oposição ao materialismo, o ensino bíblico propõe o contentamento: a capacidade de viver em paz com o que se tem, confiando na providência diária de Deus. Ter recursos materiais não é pecado, mas a sabedoria bíblica prioriza a integridade, o temor a Deus e a paz interior acima do ouro e da prata.

Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."(Hebrews 13:5)

Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,

than great treasure with trouble.(Proverbs 15:16)

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(Proverbs 16:16)

A good name is more desirable than great riches,

and loving favor is better than silver and gold.(Proverbs 22:1)

Remove far from me falsehood and lies.

Give me neither poverty nor riches.

Feed me with the food that is needful for me,(Proverbs 30:8)

In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.(1 Timothy 2:9,10)

Generosidade e tesouros duradouros

O remédio mais prático contra o apego aos bens é a generosidade. Ao ordenar que seus seguidores ajuntem tesouros no céu em vez da terra, Jesus ensina a redirecionar o coração: onde estão os recursos, ali se fixa a devoção. Quando bens materiais são compartilhados para suprir o próximo e servir a Deus, eles deixam de ser ídolos e se tornam instrumentos de serviço.

"Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; (Matthew 6:19,20)

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

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."(Matthew 19:21)

Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;(1 Timothy 6:17)

There are those who covet greedily all day long;

but the righteous give and don’t withhold.(Proverbs 21:26)

The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.(Acts 4:32)

while we don’t 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.(2 Corinthians 4:18)

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