CONCERNING MONEY & WEALTH (2)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Concerning Money and Wealth

a) Wealth Is Dangerous 

Mark 10:23-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
²³ Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷ But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

i) It is not that wealth is intrinsically evil, or that poverty is blessed. Rather, a devotion to gathering wealth is incompatible with devotion to God. God must always be the most important thing in our lives: 

Luke 16:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

ii) The craving for wealth and possessions can lead us into all kinds of temptation. While we spend evenings and weekends earning extra money, we are depriving our families of our love and attention. We may take unfair advantage of our customers, employers, or employees. We may attempt to rationalize our greed by closing our minds and hearts to the needs and rights of others. In the process, we could end up being stingy, bitter and isolated.  

Proverbs 23:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
⁵ Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 

Matthew 16:26 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

1 Timothy 6:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 

Matthew 6:19-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

iii) Related verses: Matthew 13:22, Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, James 5:1-5.

b) Avoid Dishonesty

i) The rationalization required to obtain and keep dishonest gain can make a person cold, cynical and separated from God. It may be taking unfair advantage or misrepresenting the facts to employers, employees, customers, clients or associates. It may be stealing, fraud, inflating insurance claims, cheating on taxes, "pirating" music and movies, willful nonpayment of debts, or any form of dishonesty for personal gain.  In whatever form, dishonest gain brings only fear of discovery - never peace of mind. 

Leviticus 19:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ ‘You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. 

Proverbs 11:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight. 

Isaiah 33:15-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
He who despises the gain of oppressions,
Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:
¹⁶ He will dwell on high;
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him,
His water will be sure. 

Romans 13:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

Romans 13:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 

ii) Related verses: Exodus 20:15, Leviticus 19:35-36, Proverbs 21:6, Amos 8:4-8, Micah 6:10-13, Mark 10:19, Luke 3:12-14.

The End ...