Attitudes to money (2)

Money as a gift from God

Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV

18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

See also 1 Sa 2:7; 1 Ki 3:13; Pr 8:18–21; 1 Ti 6:17

The dangers of money

Being ruled by money

Matthew 6:24 NIV

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

See also Eph 5:5

Loving money

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

See also Ec 5:10; Lk 8:14; Lk 16:14; 1 Ti 3:3; 1 Ti 3:8; 2 Ti 3:2; Tt 1:7; Heb 13:5; 1 Pe 5:2

Trusting in money

1 Timothy 6:17 NIV

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

See also Dt 8:12–14; Job 31:24; Ps 52:7; Ps 62:10; Pr 11:4; Pr 11:28; Pr 27:24; Is 10:3; Je 48:7; Lk 12:16–21 the parable of the rich fool; Jas 1:11; Jas 5:1–3; Re 18:14

Boasting in money

Psalm 49:5–6 NIV

5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

See also Je 9:23–24; Ho 12:8; Jas 4:13–16

Examples of those led astray by the love of money

Balaam:

Dt 23:4; 2 Pe 2:15

Jos 7:20–21 Achan; 2 Ki 5:19–27 Gehazi; Mt 19:22–23 the rich young ruler; Mt 26:14–15 Judas Iscariot

Gifts and qualities that are better than money

Redemption

Psalm 49:7–9 NIV

7 No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— 9 so that they should live on forever and not see decay.

See also Is 52:3; Mt 16:26; 1 Pe 1:18–19

Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 NIV

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

See also Ps 49:20; Pr 3:13–16; Pr 8:10–11; Pr 16:16; Pr 17:16; Pr 20:15

A good reputation

Proverbs 22:1 NIV

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

A good wife

Proverbs 31:10 NIV

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Healing

Acts 3:6 NIV

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Spiritual power

Acts 8:19–20 NIV

19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Spiritual riches

Isaiah 55:1 NIV

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

See also Re 3:18