Do you crave for being rich? How good is it worth? (Part 4).

[Leonardo Von]

Do you crave for being rich? How good is it worth? (Part 4).

 

Eighth: wealth engrosses people’s attention so much that they end up dallying on selfish activities:

 

·       Matthew 13:22 -> “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”.

·       Mark 4:19 -> “but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”.

·       Luke 8:14 -> “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”.

·       Luke 16:19-21,25 -> “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores … But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony”.

 

Ninth: wealth precludes people of being free to run after Jesus and His Kingdom:

 

·       Matthew 19:21-22 -> “Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”.

·       Mark 10:21-22 -> “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.”.

·       Luke 18:22-23 -> “When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.”.

 

Tenth: wealth leads people to think that they can be independent of the Creator and follow their ways:

 

·       Deuteronomy 32:15 -> “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior.”.

·       Nehemiah 9:25-26 -> “They captured fortified cities and a fertile land They took possession of houses full of every good thing, Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, Fruit trees in abundance So they ate, were filled and grew fat, And reveled in Your great goodness. "But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, And cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets who had admonished them So that they might return to You, And they committed great blasphemies.”

·       Hosea 13:6 -> “As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me.”.

Tomorrow we will carry on with the permission of the Creator. Have a blessed day in Jesus' richness.