chpt 2 of God own$

2 A Biblical Perspective on Wealth
There is something powerful, intriguing and mystical about money. For money, one man could kill another; a son could sue his father; a woman could violate her body; and a man could even sell his soul. This is perhaps the reason Jesus spoke more about money than almost any other subject during his ministry on earth. The Holy Bible is the best economics book of all time. Everything does changes, but the principles of God do not change and blessed is the man who applies these principles in his money management.

From Old Testament of the Ecclesiastes, we will see what King Solomon noted about the world of money.

4 observations about wealth
1. The Materialistic Grip of Wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12)
Wealth has a way of gripping man. Even Christians can be seduced to bow our knees to this false god of Mammon. Its grip can be so strong as to make us act irrationally. When materialism has done its worst, it will make slaves out of us. Materialism can never be satisfied. The more you get, the more you want.

The wise man said in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” Referring to the materialistic grip of wealth, Jesus said in Matthew 19:23, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”


2. The Danger of Hoarding Wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:13-17)
There is danger in hoarding wealth – you will lose it, not once but twice! You could lose it before you die, and you will definitely lose it when you die. You may have the ability to accumulate great wealth but you cannot find your security in money. You could lose it in a moment. One wrong decision and it is gone! Even if you do not lose your wealth in this life, you will definitely lose it when you die. In Luke 12, Jesus said to a rich man “You fool… ” Put simply, a fool is someone who disregards God. In Psalm 14:1, we read, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

Isn’t it true what the wise man said in Ecclesiastes 5:15, “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs.” The Bible puts it differently, “Naked you come, naked you will go.” Wealth is temporary.

Think about this:
Money can buy medicine but not health.
Money can buy you a house but not a home.
Money can buy you companions but not friends.
Money can buy you entertainment but not happiness.
Money can buy you food but not appetite.
Money can buy you a bed but not sleep.
Money can buy you a crucifix but not a Saviour.
Money can buy you a good life but not eternal life.


3. The Delight of Having Wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)
The wise man went on to say that despite the dangers inherent in having wealth, it could still be a gift from God. Wealth can be a blessing from God, to be enjoyed by man. When we see our wealth as a gift from God and not something we have acquired by our own hands, we will not fight to keep it.
We must learn to have an “open palm” approach to riches. Hold every blessing that God brings to you with an open palm. Enjoy the blessings while you have them without desiring to possess them. Then, if God should choose to take them away, He need not pull your fingers apart! This way, it would be a delight to have material possessions.

4. The Grace to Enjoy Wealth (Ecclesiastes 6:1-3)
A man may have wealth but is unable to enjoy it for a number of reasons, such as poor health and bad relationships. Let us remember that God is the one who gives us the grace to enjoy the wealth that we have, be it little or much. Indeed, it is by God’s grace that we are able to enjoy even a cup of coffee. Many of us constantly complain that we do not have enough, when we should be thankful for what we do have.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the good things that God has blessed us with. Unfortunately, when we are gripped by greed and materialism, we turn God’s formula around. Then we put 10 per cent of our resources at God’s disposal – provided we even tithe – and retain 90 per cent for our own parting and entertainment and to maintain our standard of living. God’s kingdom is not one about just food and drink, but also about love, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; it is a kingdom where the rich would share with the poor and all have enough for joyful, contented living.