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What the Bible says about Wealth, Lesson 3

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What the Bible says about Wealth, Lesson 3

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What the bible says about wealth

Lesson 3,

(the books of Wisdom)

Text: Job 31:16-32 “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;)19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. 23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. 24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; 26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; 27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. 29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. 31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. 32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.”

Intro: In our journey and study to discover what the bible says about wealth, we have looked at it from the prospective of people before the law, and under the law. And tho we can not possibly look at every aspect of it, we have seen some interesting things concerning the Way God desires people to look at wealth.

In this lesson we are going to take a look at the books of wisdom, specifically Job, Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. And one can imagine these books have much to say about wealth. And wealth in many different forms. We will see several of them, however, again this is not an exhaustive list of the verses and ideas of wealth these books teach. So it is beneficial for us all to read, and follow the wisdom of the word of God contained in theses books, as well as all books of the bible.

  1. Having the proper Attitude about Wealth,

    1. The Life of Job,

      1. Job, a man of righteousness,

        1. the story of Job is an incredible story of the sovereignty of God over wealth, in fact over all of a persons life.

        2. Job 1:1 “…and that man (Job) was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. ”

          • it is important to understand this as we read the rest of the story of Job.

            • Perfect in this case was mature, not that he was without fault. There is none that has not sinned.

            • But he was mature, righteous, and avoided evil.

              • This was the defining characteristic the word of God tells us about him as we read his story.

                • This is why when he says I have tried to live right, and do the right thing, we can trust it because it is within his character.

        3. When Job is joined by his friends there is a dialog that takes place between them,

          • the friends insist that Job must have committed some sin in order for this hardship to fall to him,

          • He in returns continues to defend his life, and actions,

            • Describing how he… lets look at his own words...

            • Job 29:12-17 “Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.”

              • 1. delivered the poor, the fatherless, and him that had no other help.

              • 2. He helped those who were about to perish, and provided for widows.

              • 3. I tried to live a righteous life,

                • I suppose he understood the truth of

                • Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ”

              • 4. He helped those who were disabled, the blind and crippled.

              • 5. acted as a father to the poor,

              • 6. stood up for justice and righteousness.

          • I have no doubt that all this was true of him, according to ch.1. Job was a righteous man.

        4. If there is two things we learn from Job, it is

          • First, we have little control over our own wealth, and…

          • Second, we learn what responsible conduct of wealth looks like.

      2. How Job Used His Wealth,

        1. much has already been said here, but look back to the text, and let’s see the attitude of Job.

        2. He makes several statements, if and then statements. Such if I come up there, then go ahead and knock me down…

          • Vs.16, If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

          • Vs.17, If I have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof,

          • Vs.19, If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering

          • Vs.20, speaking of the children of the ones he blessed, they thought good of him, and they were kept warm because of the clothing he provided…

          • Vs.21, If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless,

        2. Then….Vs.22 “Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone”

          • Vs.23, I feared what God could do more than what man could

        1. Then he goes on to some more if’s

          • Vs.24 If I have put my trust in my wealth,

          • Vs.25, If I have become prideful because of my wealth,

          • Vs.26-28, If I even seceretly put my trust in my wealth, and forgot God

          • Vs.28 “This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge…”

            • there is nothing wrong with wealth, wealth in and of it’s self is not wicked. It is the attitude of the person that has wealth.

          • If wealth were evil, then why would the bible say….

        2. Job 42:10 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

          • Why did God reward Job, because he was found faithful in what God had given him,

    2. The Psalms,

      1. All Wealth comes from God,

        1. Psalm 111 reiterates what we have already looked at, that all wealth comes from God”

        2. Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

        3. Psalm 50:10 “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”

        4. See Psalm 50:12, 74:16, 89:11, 95:4&5,

          • these tribute everything to God, even the day and night…

      2. Wealth must be Prioritized,

        1. Psalm 37 speaks of committing to the Lord first, and not trusting in wealth or riches.

          • In both Psalm 37 & 73 it speaks of the injustice between the wicked and the righteous, yet, the priority of the righteous is God, not wealth, that is a secondary aspect.

      3. Wealth must be Honest,

        1. Psalm 15:5 “He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”

          • the first part of the psalm, is asking who can be in the sanctuary, or stand in the holy hill of God. And he goes on to answer the question.

          • In vs.5 it is about seeking unfair gains at the expense of others, taking advantage of their situation.

      4. Wealth Should Move us toward Generosity,

        1. Psalm 112:1-10 “vs.1 Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments…Vs.3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever….Vs.5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion….Vs.9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor;”

        2. when God gives wealth, it is not just for the purpose of accumulation, but for the benefit of others.

          • This is true for churches as well, I do believe we ought to have money set aside for emergencies, yet the church is not in the business of accumulating wealth.

    3. The Proverbs,

      1. God Provides,

        1. Proverbs 3:9&10 “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. ”

      2. Be Good to the Poor,

        1. Proverbs 14:31 “ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. ” see also Proverbs 17:5

        2. Proverbs 22:2 “The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. ”

        3. Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. ”

          • God requires of the wealthy to consider the needs of those without. This does not mean to be foolish about it,

      3. Wealth is Illusive,

        1. Proverbs 23:4&5 “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. ”

        2. Proverbs 22:7 “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

        3. Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” (lottery winners)

        4. Proverbs 10:4 “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

        5. See also Proverbs 24:30-34 (the slothful vineyard owner)

    4. The Ecclesiastes,

      1. The Vanity of it all,

        1. In Ecclesiastes we read that King Solomon had everything anyone could desire, yet he declares:

        2. Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. ”

        3. and some of the conclusions Solomon came up with…

        4. Ecclesiastes 5:10&19 “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity….19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.”

        5. Ecclesiastes 9 reminds us that no man knows the time of death, and that is regardless of our worldly wealth.

          • The old expression there are no u-hauls following the Hurst.