A popular television preacher has a simple message: God wants to bless you, and the proof of His blessing is the abundance of material possessions that you own. In other words, if you are faithful, God will make you wealthy. This idea, or variants of it, has been called the prosperity gospel: Follow God, and He … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Cor. 8:1-7; Matt. 13:3-7; Matt. 13:22; Gen. 3:1-6; Isa. 56:11; Matt. 26:14-16; 2 Pet. 1:5-9. Memory Text: “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22, NKJV). The love of money and material … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The enemy is buying souls today very cheap. ‘Ye have sold yourselves for nought,’ is the language of Scripture. One is selling his soul for the world’s applause, another for money; one to gratify base passions, another for worldly amusement. Such bargains are made daily. Satan is bidding for the purchase of Christ’s blood … Continue reading –>
There are many people who love God. Their identity is blended with His in a way that material possessions can’t dislodge. Read Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:5, and Galatians 2:20. What does it mean to be God’s possession, and where do we find our true identity? God says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. . … Continue reading –>
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3, NKJV). God said, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; … Continue reading –>
The advertising world is powerful. Companies spend billions putting images of their products before us. They almost always use beautiful and appealing people to promote what they are selling. We look at that ad and see ourselves, not just with the product but as actually being like the people in the ad. Materialism would not … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 12:15-21. What’s the message to us here? How might the principle here apply even to someone who is not necessarily rich? Whether we are rich or poor, our desire to own things can take our mind off what really matters and focus it, instead, on what’s only temporal and fleeting and certainly not worth … Continue reading –>
Money has become the god of this world, and materialism is its religion. Materialism is a sophisticated and insidious system that offers temporary security but no ultimate safety. Materialism, as we define it here, is when the desire for wealth and possessions becomes more important and more valuable than spiritual realities. Possessions may have value, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 John 2:16-17; Luke 14:26-33; Luke 12:15-21; Deut. 8:10-14; 1 Tim. 6:10; John 15:5; Gal. 2:20. Memory Text: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2, NKJV). The Word of God tells His people … Continue reading –>
The Life of a Christian Steward As Christians, we need to recognize our sinful condition before we see a need for change. That change can come only and thoroughly through Christ working in us. And one expression of His work in us is in the area of stewardship. Though stewardship encompasses many different aspects of … Continue reading –>
