Resumo de The Bible

A difficult topic for many Christians is how to deal with the issue of money and finance. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with materialistic messages suggesting that if we simply have a few more things, a big bonus or that new job we will be happy. Unfortunately, once we obtain those things, any happiness derived quickly dissipates and we are left with only a larger spiritual gap to fill. Jesus has warned us against succumbing in to greed and love of money (Luke 12:15: Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."). Jesus even became angry at the moneychangers who were profiting at the temple (Mark11:15: Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves).

How do we reconcile these warnings with the requirements of this world. We need to save for retirement, children?s education, purchasing a home etc. As a matter of fact, the bible contains numerous references regarding accumulating wealth. Joseph told the Pharaoh to store up grain for the upcoming difficult times (Gen 41:35 ? 36: Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh's authority, and let them guard it. Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.). The book of Proverbs contains various references to thrift (Pro 6:6 - 8 Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest). We would indeed be wise if we, like the Pharaoh, saved for the future. The savings program instituted on Pharaoh?s behalf by Joseph created a store of wealth which was used in subsequent ?lean times? (Gen 41:54: and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said, then there was famine in all the lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.).

On one hand, we are warned about greed. On the other hand, we are told to be wise and thrifty; we must save for the future. The difference is not in the wealth or the size of the bank account. The difference is in our hearts (Matt 6:19: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also). If our goal is wealth accumulation for its own sake, then our hearts are in the wrong place. If we consider money to be simply another tool to do God?s work, (which includes providing for your family), then we have a clear understanding as to the stewardship that is expected from us as it relates to our wealth.

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