Dangers of riches
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· 8 viewsMaterial wealth can be a source of both physical and spiritual danger, against which believers are clearly warned to be on their guard.
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Riches are spiritually dangerous
Riches are spiritually dangerous
Love of riches a root of many evils
Love of riches a root of many evils
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.
See also Jos 7:11; Jos 7:20–21; 1 Ti 3:3
They may lead to divided loyalty
They may lead to divided loyalty
“No one 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.
See also Mt 4:9–10; Jas 4:4
They may hinder people’s response to the gospel
They may hinder people’s response to the gospel
Mt 13:22; Mt 19:21–22
They may create false security
They may create false security
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
See also Job 31:24–28; Ps 52:6–7; Pr 11:28; Je 49:4
They may make people proud
They may make people proud
By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches,
And your heart is lifted up because of your riches),”
See also Ps 62:10; Pr 18:23; Pr 28:11; Ho 12:8
They may cause unbelief and anxiety
They may cause unbelief and anxiety
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,
Whether he eats little or much;
But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
See also Job 20:17–20; Pr 15:6
They may lead people to forget God
They may lead people to forget God
Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
See also Dt 8:10–14; Dt 32:15; Ne 9:25–26; Ho 13:6
Riches are physically dangerous
Riches are physically dangerous
Working for them may cause excessive tiredness
Working for them may cause excessive tiredness
Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
See also Jn 6:26–27
Enjoying them may lead to self-indulgence
Enjoying them may lead to self-indulgence
You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
See also Hag 1:3–5; Mt 23:25; Lk 16:19–21; 1 Ti 6:8–9
Misusing them may foster oppression and injustice
Misusing them may foster oppression and injustice
‘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.
See also Dt 24:12–15; Pr 22:16; Is 1:23; Je 22:13; Mic 6:12; Mal 3:5; Jas 2:6; Jas 5:4