"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"Wisdom Regarding MoneyINTRODUCTION1. People often have conflicting ideas about money...a. Some say that it is sinful to be rich; others, that it is a virtue to be poor2. The Bible says a great deal about money...b. Many think that money provides the ultimate securityc. It even warns about wasting our moneyd. It speaks about earning and spending, saving and giving3. The Book of Proverbs in particular discusses issues related to money...b. Such as generosity and greeda. Such as wealth and poverty[What wisdom can be gleaned from Proverbs concerning money? Let's first consider what is said regarding...]I. WEALTH AND POVERTYA. REGARDING WEALTH...1. Wealth does have its advantagesc. Power or influence - Pr 22:7d. The ability to speak more freely - Pr 18:232. But wealth does not provide everythingb. Those who trust in their riches will fall - Pr 11:283. The acquisition of wealtha. Must be gained honestly, such as through labor - Pr 13:11b. Best if by labor, not inherited - Pr 20:21d. Wealth acquired unscrupulously is temporary and bitter- Pro 20:17; 21:5-6; 28:84. Keeping wealth in perspectivea. Do not overwork to be rich - Pr 23:4b. Riches easily disappear - Pr 23:5-- Wealth can be blessing, but it can easily become a curse;wisdom makes the difference!B. REGARDING POVERTY...1. Some are poor because of circumstances beyond their controla. The greed of others - Pr 30:14b. Usury and extortion - Pr 28:82. Others are poor because of their own sinful conductb. Refusing to heed correction - Pr 13:18c. Pleasure seeking - Pr 21:17d. Drunkenness, gluttony - Pr 23:21-- Poverty is not always self-inflicted, but in many cases it is![Poverty also comes from other causes (natural disasters, God'schastisement, persecution, even voluntary choice). But as mostChristians today are blessed with relative wealth, let's now considerwhat wisdom can be gleaned from Proverbs regarding the use of our money...]II. GENEROSITY AND GREEDA. REGARDING GENEROSITY...1. The expression of generositya. Toward the needy (giving to the poor) - Pr 28:27b. Toward the Lord (honoring Him with our first fruits) - Pro 3:92. The benefits of generosity-- For true happiness, with the Lord as our Benefactor, we must begenerousB. REGARDING GREED...1. The qualities of greeda. Insatiable desires (like a leech) - Pr 30:15-16b. Laziness - Pr 21:25-26c. Hypocrisy - Pr 23:6-82. The danger of greeda. Troubles one's self - Pr 1:19b. Troubles one's family - Pr 15:27-- To avoid misery, for ourselves and others, we must not be greedyCONCLUSION1. With the aid of the Book of Proverbs, we can have wisdom regarding...a. Wealth and poverty b. Generosity and greedc. Wealth that comes from honest labor2. With the blessing of the Lord, we can experience both... b. Generosity that springs from a merciful heartThe rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the makerCertainly there is no place for arrogance and abuse when we have been materially blessed:of them all. - Pr 22:2He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honorsHim has mercy on the needy. - Pr 14:31May the Lord give us the wisdom and grace to use our wealth properly...!
November 29, 2019
"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" Wisdom Regarding Money by Mark Copeland
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