Jesus taught that wealth and possessions can become idols that prevent people from fully serving God. While Judaism associated prosperity with God's favor, Jesus warned that riches increase the danger of greed and dependence on material things rather than God. He taught his followers to use wealth and possessions to help others and spread God's kingdom, rather than accumulating earthly treasures. True Christian stewardship involves wisely using resources to invest in eternal rather than temporal priorities.
This is a study of Jesus as the greatest paradox in the Bible and in all of history, He was both God and man, and you cannot get a greater paradox than that.
This is a study of Jesus as the greatest paradox in the Bible and in all of history, He was both God and man, and you cannot get a greater paradox than that.
What is the true test of Godliness? How can one fellowship with the true church without being contaminated by the religious impositions of men of today?
The Prince of this world has long been striving and seems almost close to achieving that victory. it is the natural result of the error by the Church; a lowering of the standard of the Kingdom of God through the introduction of the gospel of convenience, a walk with God without transformation of life , a Christianity without the Cross. The church surrendering this basis of her power and legitimacy has made her to exist in a perfect and harmonious accord with the world.
The visible church has virtually created her own ‘GOD’ a religious deity who seems satisfied with his subjects excesses ,cares little about their sins, highly appreciates their works of virtue, even though these were predicated on human pride , and looks with pleasure upon their bold deeds and intellectual displays. Packages of doctrines, whole pedestals of understanding and range of thinking system which form the basis of people’s faith have been tailored to satisfy the cravings of fallen men.
The God of the bible has been left of his own House. His city lies in virtual ruins while the city wall are continually been compromised so that strangers may enter at will. This book written by Ayodeji Ezra-Williams brings to mind the words of Jesus Christ comparing the days of his coming to the days of Noah
What is the true test of Godliness? How can one fellowship with the true church without being contaminated by the religious impositions of men of today?
The Prince of this world has long been striving and seems almost close to achieving that victory. it is the natural result of the error by the Church; a lowering of the standard of the Kingdom of God through the introduction of the gospel of convenience, a walk with God without transformation of life , a Christianity without the Cross. The church surrendering this basis of her power and legitimacy has made her to exist in a perfect and harmonious accord with the world.
The visible church has virtually created her own ‘GOD’ a religious deity who seems satisfied with his subjects excesses ,cares little about their sins, highly appreciates their works of virtue, even though these were predicated on human pride , and looks with pleasure upon their bold deeds and intellectual displays. Packages of doctrines, whole pedestals of understanding and range of thinking system which form the basis of people’s faith have been tailored to satisfy the cravings of fallen men.
The God of the bible has been left of his own House. His city lies in virtual ruins while the city wall are continually been compromised so that strangers may enter at will. This book written by Ayodeji Ezra-Williams brings to mind the words of Jesus Christ comparing the days of his coming to the days of Noah
What do the Bible says about the Kingdom of God? Is it something that we will see after we died? Is it something that we can experience while we are alive?
Seven spheres of Society. Each sphere has a output in society. Every individual has a belief system that defines his expression in the different spheres. The Kingdom of God is an ancient construct that has existed prior to mankind, even the created universe. As men live according to the reasonable laws and order of God's design, prosperity can occur. This is a preview of a book based on research done to chart out the categories of the spheres, and the proper functionality of people living by the prosperity of a correct mindset in those spheres. Christians simply entering the spheres isn't enough. The social spheres themselves must reveal transformation in them.
1. THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS Based on John 7:25-46
2. OUR EXCELLING EXAMPLE Based on John 13:1-17
3. HIS STEADFAST FACE Based on John 19:1-16
4. THE GENTLE ENCOURAGER Based on Matt. 12:9,15-21
5. THE ANGRY KING Based on Matt. 21:1-17
6. THE MASK OF THE MASTER MARK 1:21-28
7. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN MARK 2:1-12
8. THE HANDS OF THE HEAD Based on Mark 6:1-6
9. THE MIND OF THE MASTER Based on Luke 2:40-52
10. FOCUS ON FEET Based on Luke 7:36-50
11. JESUS HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR Text for starting Luke 10:21
12. OUR DETERMINED SAVIOR based on Luke 9:51-62
13. OUR KING'S GLAD FACE Based on Luke 19:28-44
14. THE KING IN TEARS Based on Luke 19:29-48
15. HIS HIDDEN FACE Based on Luke 24:13-35
16. THE TRIUMPHANT KING Based on John 12:12-19
17. THE FACE OF CHRIST Based on II Cor. 4:1-6
18. JESUS IS EVERYTHING Based on Rev. 1:5
19. WHO IN THE WORLD IS KING? Based on Rev. 1:5
20. WORTHY IS THE LAMB Based on Rev. 5:1-14
This is a collection of writings on the Holy Spirit gift of leadership that empowers some believers to take control of needs in the body of Christ for the benefit of all.
What is the true test of Godliness? How can one fellowship with the true church without being contaminated by the religious impositions of men of today?
The Prince of this world has long been striving and seems almost close to achieving that victory. it is the natural result of the error by the Church; a lowering of the standard of the Kingdom of God through the introduction of the gospel of convenience, a walk with God without transformation of life , a Christianity without the Cross. The church surrendering this basis of her power and legitimacy has made her to exist in a perfect and harmonious accord with the world.
The visible church has virtually created her own ‘GOD’ a religious deity who seems satisfied with his subjects excesses ,cares little about their sins, highly appreciates their works of virtue, even though these were predicated on human pride , and looks with pleasure upon their bold deeds and intellectual displays. Packages of doctrines, whole pedestals of understanding and range of thinking system which form the basis of people’s faith have been tailored to satisfy the cravings of fallen men.
The God of the bible has been left of his own House. His city lies in virtual ruins while the city wall are continually been compromised so that strangers may enter at will. This book written by Ayodeji Ezra-Williams brings to mind the words of Jesus Christ comparing the days of his coming to the days of Noah
What is the true test of Godliness? How can one fellowship with the true church without being contaminated by the religious impositions of men of today?
The Prince of this world has long been striving and seems almost close to achieving that victory. it is the natural result of the error by the Church; a lowering of the standard of the Kingdom of God through the introduction of the gospel of convenience, a walk with God without transformation of life , a Christianity without the Cross. The church surrendering this basis of her power and legitimacy has made her to exist in a perfect and harmonious accord with the world.
The visible church has virtually created her own ‘GOD’ a religious deity who seems satisfied with his subjects excesses ,cares little about their sins, highly appreciates their works of virtue, even though these were predicated on human pride , and looks with pleasure upon their bold deeds and intellectual displays. Packages of doctrines, whole pedestals of understanding and range of thinking system which form the basis of people’s faith have been tailored to satisfy the cravings of fallen men.
The God of the bible has been left of his own House. His city lies in virtual ruins while the city wall are continually been compromised so that strangers may enter at will. This book written by Ayodeji Ezra-Williams brings to mind the words of Jesus Christ comparing the days of his coming to the days of Noah
What do the Bible says about the Kingdom of God? Is it something that we will see after we died? Is it something that we can experience while we are alive?
Seven spheres of Society. Each sphere has a output in society. Every individual has a belief system that defines his expression in the different spheres. The Kingdom of God is an ancient construct that has existed prior to mankind, even the created universe. As men live according to the reasonable laws and order of God's design, prosperity can occur. This is a preview of a book based on research done to chart out the categories of the spheres, and the proper functionality of people living by the prosperity of a correct mindset in those spheres. Christians simply entering the spheres isn't enough. The social spheres themselves must reveal transformation in them.
1. THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS Based on John 7:25-46
2. OUR EXCELLING EXAMPLE Based on John 13:1-17
3. HIS STEADFAST FACE Based on John 19:1-16
4. THE GENTLE ENCOURAGER Based on Matt. 12:9,15-21
5. THE ANGRY KING Based on Matt. 21:1-17
6. THE MASK OF THE MASTER MARK 1:21-28
7. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN MARK 2:1-12
8. THE HANDS OF THE HEAD Based on Mark 6:1-6
9. THE MIND OF THE MASTER Based on Luke 2:40-52
10. FOCUS ON FEET Based on Luke 7:36-50
11. JESUS HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR Text for starting Luke 10:21
12. OUR DETERMINED SAVIOR based on Luke 9:51-62
13. OUR KING'S GLAD FACE Based on Luke 19:28-44
14. THE KING IN TEARS Based on Luke 19:29-48
15. HIS HIDDEN FACE Based on Luke 24:13-35
16. THE TRIUMPHANT KING Based on John 12:12-19
17. THE FACE OF CHRIST Based on II Cor. 4:1-6
18. JESUS IS EVERYTHING Based on Rev. 1:5
19. WHO IN THE WORLD IS KING? Based on Rev. 1:5
20. WORTHY IS THE LAMB Based on Rev. 5:1-14
This is a collection of writings on the Holy Spirit gift of leadership that empowers some believers to take control of needs in the body of Christ for the benefit of all.
GD NT 17: MeckMom LDS Gospel Doctrine New Testament Lesson 17MeckMom.com
“What Shall I Do That I May Inherit Eternal Life?”
NT Gospel Doctrine Lesson 17: Mark 10, 12, Luke 12, 14, 16
Lesson Purpose: Help class understand that we must be willing to sacrifice things of this world to obtain a place in the kingdom of heaven.
Session 07 New Testament Overview - Gospel of LukeJohn Brooks
Session 07 New Testament Survey Class
Overview of the Gospel of Luke
Based on material from:
Capitol Hill Baptist Church
525 A Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Prioridades em missões no Brasil. Apesar de tido como um país evangelizado, há imensas lacunas neste "minicontinente", às quais a Igreja evangélica brasileira deve suas ações. Por vezes nos voltamos para o Exterior, mas é aqui, sobretudo, que temos imensas oportunidades de evangelização. Vamos pregar ao Brasil!
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
1. LESSON 10
June 7, 2015
Jesus and money
Golden Text
“Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the
kingdom of God”! (Lk 18.24)
Useful Practice
The Scriptures do not condemn an honest acquisition of wealth1, but the love
of it.
Scripture Reading
Luke 18: 18-24
18 - A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?”
19 - “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good —except
God alone.
20 - You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you
shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,
honor your father and mother.”
21- “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 - When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell
everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 - When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
24 - Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the
kingdom of God!
General objective
To teach, as stewards2, the proper use of money and the goods entrusted to
us by God, in the light of the teaching of Jesus.
1
Riqueza, opulência, ostentação
2
Mordomo
2. Specific objectives
I – TO POINT OUT money, property and possessions in the secular and
Christian perspective.
II – TO EXPLAIN about money, property and possessions from the
perspective of the Judaism of Jesus' time.
III – TO KNOW what Jesus taught about money, possessions and goods.
IV – TO MAKE students aware3 of the importance of heaping up4 treasures
in heaven.
Introduction
Biblical and orthodox Christianity has always maintained a position of
caution and even reservations regarding the use of money and acquiring
wealth. In fact, the early Christian leaders, inspired by the teachings of
Jesus, began to discourage the acquisition of material goods. However,
secularism and materialism have always prowled5 around Christianity and,
at times, Mammon has left its mark among us.
We have observed in this lesson that Jesus' teachings on the acquisition
of wealth distance themselves from the Judaism of his day and also from
that which is practiced today by many sectors of evangelical Christianity.
Far from stimulating the purchase of goods, as do dozens of churches, Jesus
advised to get away from them.
Let us learn from the Master about the right use of money and how to be
good stewards of the goods that have been entrusted to us.
I - MONEY, GOODS AND POSSESSIONS FROM THE SECULAR AND
CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES
1. Secular perspective. One of the most common ways of seeing money,
goods and possessions in secular culture is to see them only as something
of a purely material nature. Both in the ancient and the contemporary
world, you can see that material reality have always seemed to take
precedence over the spiritual one. Materiality begins to dominate the lives
of people and that includes money, goods and possessions. In the Western
World, this way of seeing things has become a life philosophy that refuses
3
Consciente
4
Amontoar
5
Rondar
3. to see anything beyond matter. From this perspective, materiality is
overestimated while spirituality is ignored and superseded6. In this
context, those who have possessions are valued, and those who do not are
worthless7. Money, as a material value that ensures possessions, gains lord
status instead of servant.
2. Christian Perspective. In the Christian context, the same God who made
spirituality is the same who made materiality. In the teachings of Christ,
there is no dualism between matter and spirit! However, spiritual things,
because they are of eternal nature, take precedence over material ones,
which are only temporal (Lk 10:41). From the Christian perspective,
therefore, the material and spiritual dimensions must coexist. Just as we
serve God with our spirit, our spiritual dimension, we must also serve with
our body (1 Corinthians 6:19,20; Thes 5:23), our material dimension. Thus,
whoever has become a participant in spiritual values should also serve
with their material possessions (Rom 15:27; Luke 8.3). Here, money, as a
material value, is not viewed as a lord, but only as a servant.
II - MONEY, GOODS AND POSSESSIONS IN THE JUDAISM OF JESUS’ TIME
1. Rich and poor. In the Judaism of Jesus' time, society was divided into
two groups: the rich and the poor. In the upper class, there were the
priests, participants of an elite that controlled the system of sacrifices and
profited from it, and the Herodians, who owned large estates. Another
group consisted of members from the Jewish aristocracy enriched at the
expense of taxes from their properties and their business. The last group
consisted of Jewish traders, who, despite not possessing estates, actively
participated in the nation's economic life. At the extreme end of this
situation were the poor! These were "the people of the land" (Luke 21:1-4).
They had nothing and were still oppressed by the rich (James 2:6).
2. Generosity and prosperity. In the Jewish culture of Jesus' day,
possessing material goods was not seen as an evil in itself. The Bible
expositor PH Davids notes that the examples of Abraham, Solomon and Job
served as inspiration to those who aspired to prosperity. The idea was that
the rich prospered because God's favor was on them. Thus, prosperity
began to be associated with piety. To avoid avarice and greed, the rabbinical
tradition encouraged the rich to be generous and sympathetic to the poor,
who were the majority in the community. Obviously this conception only
encouraged outward actions, without taking into account inner attitudes
(Luke 21:4).
6
Suplantado
7
Sem valor
4. III – MONEY, GOODS AND POSSESSIONS IN THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
1. Jesus warned about the danger of wealth. Jesus' teaching about the
use of wealth was much more radical than Judaism and the rabbinical
tradition of his days taught. Jesus, unlike the rabbis, did not associate piety
with prosperity. Someone’s wealth had nothing to do with their real
spiritual condition. For Jesus, the danger of riches lay in the fact that they
could even become a personification of evil and claim worship for itself.
Therefore, he warned: "You cannot serve God and money [wealth]" (Luke
16:13). The word translated as "wealth" in this text corresponds to the
Greek word of Aramaic origin Mamonas, translated in the “ARC” as
Mammon. Wealth can become an idol, or a god, to those who owns it. In
this respect, riches become an obstacle in the way of a person who serves
God (Luke 8:14).
2. Jesus taught to trust in God. Although Jesus showed that wealth can
even become a personification of evil, He did not demonize it. However,
from Luke’s perspective, Jesus discourages the acquisition of wealth (Luke
12:13; 18:22) and stimulates trust in God. And there was a reason for it.
Soon after showing the dangers of avarice to someone who wanted to make
him a judge in a matter related to an inheritance, Jesus reveals to his
disciples that the best way to protect oneself from this evil is to rely
completely on God's provision (Luke 12:13 - 34). Riches give a false sense
of security and independence of spiritual things. Hence, his
recommendation not to trust in them (Luke 12:33,34).
IV – MONEY, GOODS AND POSSESSIONS IN CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
1. Assessing the intent of the heart. Dictionaries define avarice as an
exaggerated and nasty8 attachment to money and meanness9. We have seen
that, to avoid this evil, the rabbinic tradition encouraged philanthropic and
solidary practices. Jesus' teaching about the use of wealth goes far beyond
simply donating goods and philanthropic actions. He did not just limit
himself to evaluating outward actions, but focused especially on inner
attitudes. Thus, he appreciated the attitudes of the sinful woman in the
house of Simon the leper, and those of Mary of Bethany, the sister of
Lazarus (Lk 7:36-50). It was not enough, therefore, just to dispose of the
goods, but the attitude and intention with which it was done (Luke 11:41,
21: 1-4). It is not enough to give offerings, or tithes10, but the attitude with
8
Desagradável
9
Mesquinharia
10
Dízimos
5. which they do these things. It was not enough just to make donations, but
to donate oneself.
2. Heaping up treasures in heaven. A steward is someone who manages
someone else's possessions. The possessions do not belong to him, but he
can enjoy them while administering them for their rightful owner. Jesus
told the parable of the manager, or the unfaithful steward to show this fact
(Luke 16:1-13). The understanding between the interpreters of the Bible is
that this parable has an eschatological end. Just as the children of this
world are cunning and astute with regard to the use of their wealth, so the
children of the kingdom should be wise in handling their goods. The
parable teaching is that the best investment is to use the acquired material
resources in spreading the kingdom of God and thus winning friends for
eternal life (Luke 16:9).
CONCLUSION
There is no moral value in money itself. Having money can be a good
or a bad thing. It will depend on the set of values of the one who uses it.
Certainly, using money to help a philanthropic work, or to invest in the
missionary work is a useful and praiseworthy11 thing. However, using that
money, as Jesus warned, simply with the attitude of wanting more
possessions, more prestige, more self-satisfaction turns out to be a bad
thing. Let us read carefully the third Gospel and discover the exercise of
true Christian stewardship12.
11
Louvável
12
Mordomia