I just had this conversation with a dear friend yesterday. How we seek to accumulate money besides many other things. My friend stated that she is worried about the future. I asked her how she could enjoy the present knowing the needs are so great and not help.
Wealth and power when they are gifts of God will always always produce this:
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Jas 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wealth and power as a gift from and for man always produces this:
Job 18:5 "Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. Job 18:6 The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out. Job 18:7 His strong steps are shortened, and his own schemes throw him down. Job 18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh. Job 18:9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him. Job 18:10 A rope is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path. Job 18:11 Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels. Job 18:12 His strength is famished, and calamity is ready for his stumbling. Job 18:13 It consumes the parts of his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs. Job 18:14 He is torn from the tent in which he trusted and is brought to the king of terrors. Job 18:15 In his tent dwells that which is none of his; sulfur is scattered over his habitation. Job 18:16 His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above. Job 18:17 His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street. Job 18:18 He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world. Job 18:19 He has no posterity or progeny among his people, and no survivor where he used to live.
I adhere to the wisdom of Solomon:
One has it as a blessing without "sorrow": Pro 10:14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. Pro 10:15 A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. Pro 10:16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Pro 10:17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. Pro 10:18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. Pro 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Pro 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. Pro 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Ironically, there are some people who hoard vast sums of money, and having fostered much animosity with the rest of humanity, end up bequeathing their 'fortune' to a 'cat society', or a government / charity that helps the poor.
In the gospel of mark chapter 10 v 17 - 26, Jesus tells a rich young ruler to 'sell all you have and give to the poor...' I have heard in many Christian circles, that this advice was specifically tailored for the rich young ruler, and is not generally applicable. It seems that the modern Christian has no desire to be different from the world.
I have 2 female friends that have a houseful of cats but they help the feral cat community. It is a funny cartoon though. Thanks for sharing-Noel
ReplyDeleteI just had this conversation with a dear friend yesterday. How we seek to accumulate money besides many other things. My friend stated that she is worried about the future. I asked her how she could enjoy the present knowing the needs are so great and not help.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I don't think my point was well received.
Wealth and power when they are gifts of God will always always produce this:
ReplyDeleteJas 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Jas 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wealth and power as a gift from and for man always produces this:
Job 18:5 "Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine.
Job 18:6 The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out.
Job 18:7 His strong steps are shortened, and his own schemes throw him down.
Job 18:8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh.
Job 18:9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him.
Job 18:10 A rope is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path.
Job 18:11 Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.
Job 18:12 His strength is famished, and calamity is ready for his stumbling.
Job 18:13 It consumes the parts of his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs.
Job 18:14 He is torn from the tent in which he trusted and is brought to the king of terrors.
Job 18:15 In his tent dwells that which is none of his; sulfur is scattered over his habitation.
Job 18:16 His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above.
Job 18:17 His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street.
Job 18:18 He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world.
Job 18:19 He has no posterity or progeny among his people, and no survivor where he used to live.
I adhere to the wisdom of Solomon:
One has it as a blessing without "sorrow": Pro 10:14 The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
Pro 10:15 A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
Pro 10:16 The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.
Pro 10:17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
Pro 10:18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
Pro 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Pro 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
Pro 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Ironically, there are some people who hoard vast sums of money, and having fostered much animosity with the rest of humanity, end up bequeathing their 'fortune' to a 'cat society', or a government / charity that helps the poor.
ReplyDeleteIn the gospel of mark chapter 10 v 17 - 26, Jesus tells a rich young ruler to 'sell all you have and give to the poor...' I have heard in many Christian circles, that this advice was specifically tailored for the rich young ruler, and is not generally applicable. It seems that the modern Christian has no desire to be different from the world.
ReplyDelete