Pastor E.A Adeboye
THE GOOD SIDE OF WEALTH - Pastor E.A Adeboye
THE GOOD SIDE OF WEALTH - Pastor E.A Adeboye
Memorise: The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
Read: 1st Chronicles 4:9-10, (KJV)
9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And
Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless
me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me,
and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And
God granted him that which he requested.
Bible in one year: Jeremiah 22:11-24:10, Psalms 50:1-15
MESSAGE
Wealth
is generally interpreted as the abundance of goods or money. However,
Biblical reference to wealth is always within the framework of economic,
social, cultural, spiritual and political settings of the people.
Therefore, terms such as ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ are relative to the context
in which they are used in the Bible. Wealth is mostly attached to people
or nations but the Bible also mentioned wealthy individuals such as
Abraham, Job, David, Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, etc. The New Testament
Bible occasionally mentioned wealthy individuals such as Joseph of
Arimathaea, the rich man in Luke 16:1, Cornelius in Acts 10, Prisca and Aquila, etc.
However,
positive references to wealth are few in the Bible; references to
personal wealth almost always carries some negative implication. Many
statements of Jesus could be viewed as unfair criticisms of wealth. In Mark 10:23-25, He said it is extremely difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. In Mark 4:19, He said the quest for wealth chokes God’s Word. Matthew 6:24 and some other Scriptures says, one cannot serve God and Mammon. In Luke 21:1-4, a poor widow is more generous than rich people. 1st Timothy 6:10 declares that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. To wrap it up, Luke 6:24 concludes by saying “woe to you who are rich”. Revelation 3:17:18 says;
“Because
thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of
nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in
the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest
be clothed….”
However,
there is a good side to wealth, having material prosperity or being
wealthy is not a ticket to hell after all. God has created an abundance
of good things for human enjoyment, but those who have material wealth
should understand the true nature of earthy riches and acknowledge God
as the source of all blessings. Hence, riches should be thankfully
received, and Christians must value Heavenly riches more than earthly
wealth. Those that are wealthy in this world must be generous to the
poor and ensure that their hearts are not set on their wealth. Finally,
in appreciation to God for His blessings, they should devote their
riches to God’s service by sponsoring the gospel and the work of the
ministry.
Prayer Point
Father, please send poverty far away from me and make me a divine treasure.
