What Does the Bible Say About Wealth?
Just what is wealth? Well, first let us take a look at the meaning:
wealth (wlth)n.
1.a. An abundance of valuable material possessions or resources; riches.
b. The state of being rich; affluence.
2. All goods and resources having value in terms of exchange or use.
3. A great amount; a profusion: a wealth of advice
Hmm. Ok. Let us go ahead and take first meaning and identify abundance:
abundance (-bndns) n.
1. A great or plentiful amount.
2. Fullness to overflowing: "My thoughts . . . are from the abundance of my heart" (Thomas De Quincey).
3. Affluence; wealth.
4. Chemistry The amount of an isotope of an element that exists in nature, usually expressed as a percentage of the total amount of all isotopes of the element.
So, in a nutshell wealth is "more than what you require". In the event you look at several of the terms used to express wealth and abundance, you will see a common theme: overflowing, abundance of resources, a large amount, fullness.
Now we are told to find a balance. Recall when we talked about Proverbs 22:7 "..borrower is servant to the lender"? So we know we do not wish to be in-debt, but we also do not want to have over what we require. Through the Bible we know the Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for the poor, and that the rich have the toughest time getting into heaven.
So we must live in the balance. What extra have you got? In what areas of life can you share more? I know for me personally, by studying Dani Johnson's "War On Debt" program, I have realized where there is excess within my own budget. While keeping better track on where I shell out my money; we have decreased our monthly spending by hundreds of dollars.
So what do we do with this money now? We take advantage of this money to give more. We tithe our 10% to the church each and every month and we have chosen 12 charitable groups that we share with each year. We give to four charities for three months, and the move on to the next four charitable organizations, and then the final four charitable groups.
This is our "prepared" giving. I do a Bible study with a lady and this subject really brings her to tears. She is always looking to do more and share more and she never feels like she can do enough. One important thing she said before that stuck with me is, "share to each person who actually asks" even if it is $5.
Should you be similar to me, you probably do not even realize just how much you get requested for income unless you really start supplying each of those organizations or individuals money. Begin right now and find out
Now, please let me make clear. Giving of money is not the sole method to focus on living in the balance. It is, nevertheless, a method to shove you out of your safe place. In our Beth Moore Bible study this week, "Mercy Triumphs" we discussed dignifying others. Be aware of their existence! Just how many people do you move past daily without saying a word? Beth told an account about how she said hello to a cleaning woman in an airport bathroom. The lady told her, "you are a kind person" and Beth, kind of taken back by this announcement asked how she could claim that, without knowing her in any way. And the lady responded by saying, "the majority of individuals do not even notice I am here."
James 2:14-16
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, "go, in peace, keep warm and eat well" but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it?
Share your wealth- whether it is money, time, groceries, dialogue, carpooling, whatever!
I would love to hear your giving experiences and just how you are living life (or trying to live life) in the balance.
Our God is good!
wealth (wlth)n.
1.a. An abundance of valuable material possessions or resources; riches.
b. The state of being rich; affluence.
2. All goods and resources having value in terms of exchange or use.
3. A great amount; a profusion: a wealth of advice
Hmm. Ok. Let us go ahead and take first meaning and identify abundance:
abundance (-bndns) n.
1. A great or plentiful amount.
2. Fullness to overflowing: "My thoughts . . . are from the abundance of my heart" (Thomas De Quincey).
3. Affluence; wealth.
4. Chemistry The amount of an isotope of an element that exists in nature, usually expressed as a percentage of the total amount of all isotopes of the element.
So, in a nutshell wealth is "more than what you require". In the event you look at several of the terms used to express wealth and abundance, you will see a common theme: overflowing, abundance of resources, a large amount, fullness.
Now we are told to find a balance. Recall when we talked about Proverbs 22:7 "..borrower is servant to the lender"? So we know we do not wish to be in-debt, but we also do not want to have over what we require. Through the Bible we know the Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for the poor, and that the rich have the toughest time getting into heaven.
So we must live in the balance. What extra have you got? In what areas of life can you share more? I know for me personally, by studying Dani Johnson's "War On Debt" program, I have realized where there is excess within my own budget. While keeping better track on where I shell out my money; we have decreased our monthly spending by hundreds of dollars.
So what do we do with this money now? We take advantage of this money to give more. We tithe our 10% to the church each and every month and we have chosen 12 charitable groups that we share with each year. We give to four charities for three months, and the move on to the next four charitable organizations, and then the final four charitable groups.
This is our "prepared" giving. I do a Bible study with a lady and this subject really brings her to tears. She is always looking to do more and share more and she never feels like she can do enough. One important thing she said before that stuck with me is, "share to each person who actually asks" even if it is $5.
Should you be similar to me, you probably do not even realize just how much you get requested for income unless you really start supplying each of those organizations or individuals money. Begin right now and find out
Now, please let me make clear. Giving of money is not the sole method to focus on living in the balance. It is, nevertheless, a method to shove you out of your safe place. In our Beth Moore Bible study this week, "Mercy Triumphs" we discussed dignifying others. Be aware of their existence! Just how many people do you move past daily without saying a word? Beth told an account about how she said hello to a cleaning woman in an airport bathroom. The lady told her, "you are a kind person" and Beth, kind of taken back by this announcement asked how she could claim that, without knowing her in any way. And the lady responded by saying, "the majority of individuals do not even notice I am here."
James 2:14-16
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, "go, in peace, keep warm and eat well" but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it?
Share your wealth- whether it is money, time, groceries, dialogue, carpooling, whatever!
I would love to hear your giving experiences and just how you are living life (or trying to live life) in the balance.
Our God is good!
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