Why should we not celebrate riches and call ourselves blessed when we prosper? Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper--he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. - Ps 49:16-19 How can this apply to us rich American Christians? Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days... You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. James 5:1-5 Our riches testify against us at Judgement, how can this be so? (When likely we believed they were a blessing to protect us because we believe we are good stewards). They have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek... they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. Should I not punish them for this? declares the Lord. - Jer 5:27-29 Wealth is to be used to relieve the material burdens of others, a good steward uses it for this purpose. To store up wealth for any reason while people suffer is biblically a misuse of those funds. Wealth is a tool, a responsibility, not a blessing. ...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. - Luke 12:48 What will be asked? This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. - 1 John 3:16-18 Who qualifies as rich in scripture? Anyone who has two of anything. John answered, The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same. - Luke 3:11 If we do not do this, we deny Jesus as Lord by our actions... How is that so? A Lord is not only one to be honored, but one to be obeyed. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. - Titus 1:16 God forgive your church, forgive me. May we begin to urgently plead the case of the Fatherless and defend the rights of the poor. May we relieve temporal human suffering in the same way you have relieved our eternal suffering through Jesus Christ. Amen. If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, You are my security, if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained... then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high. - Job 31:24-25,28
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 17:33:55 +0000