 God is not opposed to wealth. Abraham, Job, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, and Joseph of Arimathea were all rich. But be careful with it. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Christians do not put our hope on wealth, but in God and in our relationship with Him (Proverbs 11:4, 7).
We should never confuse our value with our wealth (Proverbs 13:7), but rather be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5). If God blesses us with wealth, we should not feel guilty, shameful, or regretful (Proverbs 10:22), but know that these riches are on loan to us. Everything belongs to God; He could take it away anytime. We are called to be good stewards. Wealth can be a useful tool. Learn how to accumulate, acquire, and allocate it. In accumulating wealth, learn to save. Spend less than what you make (Proverbs 21:20), then invest. We should make money work for us, even when we sleep, instead of us working for money (Ecclesiastes 11:1, Matthew 25:14-23). But we are not called to hoard selfishly, for God is opposed to greed. We hoard out of insecurity and pride of our status. Also, whatever we accumulate, deteriorate, such as food, clothes, and precious metal (James 5:1-3, Luke 12:15-21). When acquiring wealth, forget get-rich-quick schemes (Proverbs 13:11). Make money honestly. Ill-gotten gains take away our lives; it’s better to keep our soul than be wealthy (Proverbs 1:19. Matthew 16:26). Treat others fairly (James 5:4, Proverbs 10:2, Proverbs 16:11). In business, multiple parties (customers, owners, workers, and society) need to benefit. In allocating wealth, give to God at least 10 percent first. He will provide (Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:8-12). Use money to make things flourish. Use money to love people. If we have a lot and do not share with those in need, we have sinned (James 5-6). Be generous, particularly with those in need (Ephesians 4:28). In turn, their plenty will supply what we need (2 Corinthians 8:14). Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed and will prosper and truly live (Proverbs 11:24-25, 1 Timothy 6:18-19). Summarized from 2 sermons of Rick Warren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVcm5JJwjb8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVh5G1ndX0 from 29 minute. 智慧地处理财富的信心 上帝并不反对财富，亚伯拉罕、约伯、约瑟、大卫、所罗门、巴拿巴和亚里马太的约瑟都是富有之人。但我们对财富要小心，因为贪财是万恶之根（ 提摩太前书6:10）。 不要将盼望寄托在财富上，而要寄托在上帝和与上帝的关系上（箴言11：4， 7）。 不要将自我价值与拥有的财富混淆（箴言13：7）， 要以自己所有的为满足（希伯来书13：5）。 如果上帝赐下财富，不要内疚、羞愧或遗憾（箴言10:22）。 但要知道它们是上帝借给我们的，一切都属于上帝。祂任何时间都可以把财富拿走。当做这些财富的好管家。 财富可以是有用的工具，要学习如何积累、获取和分配它。 在积累财富上要学会储蓄，量入为出，使开销少于收入 （箴言21:20），然后就可以投资。让钱为我们工作，而不是我们为钱工作（传道书11：1，马太福音25：14-23）。 上帝反对贪婪，不要自私地囤积财富, 那样做是出于缺乏安全感或对自己的地位感到骄傲。积累的任何东西都会变质，食物、衣服和贵重金属都是如此（雅各书5：1-3，路加福音12：15-21）。 在获取财富时远离快速致富之道 （箴言13:11）。 诚实地赚钱，不义之财会夺走人的生命 （箴言1:19, 马太福音16:26）。 当公平地对待他人 （雅各书5：4， 箴言10：2， 箴言16:11）。 在商业交易中， 客户、业主、工人和社会都需要受益。 在分配财富时至少将收入的前十分之一奉献给上帝。祂会供给我们日用所需的一切 （箴言3：9-10， 玛拉基书3：8-12）。 用财富使手中所行的事蓬勃发展。用钱去爱他人。 如果拥有很多却不与有需要的人分享，那就是犯罪（雅各書5-6）。要做正确的事（雅各书4:17）。 当慷慨待人，特别对那些有需要的人（以弗所书4:28）。 有一天情形会反转过来，他们将用自己的丰富供应我们的缺乏（哥林多前书8:14）。 “滋潤人的必得滋潤,” 这样的人将兴盛发旺，真正地活出自己的生命来 （箴言11：24-25，提摩太前书6：18-19）。 Comments are closed.
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