The Godly Use of Wealth
Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
GENESIS 13:2
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The Godly Use of Wealth
It was a famous maxim, not only in the schools of the philosophers but also among the theologians: "What is outside us does not concern us." Money and similar things are outside us; hence they do not concern us. This sophistry sounds good, but it is harmful and ungodly. You must rather say: "The things that are outside us concern us very much." For God said (Genesis 1:28): "Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the earth with everything that it contains." Among these gifts are also gold and silver. Make use of these, but in such a way that your heart is good, that is, without greed and without harm to anyone else. In the first place, provide for the livelihood of the people of your household, "so that you may not be worse than a heathen" (1 Timothy 5:8). In the second place, use these things for the advantage of others. Be on your guard, as against a plague that is sure to occur, lest, like foolish Crates, you throw your possessions away or, like Epictetus and the Stoics, do not consider them good and useful. . .. Reform your mind, and use these things with a sincere heart. If God has given you wealth, give thanks to God, and see that you make the right use of it; if He has not given it, do not seek it greedily. Have patience, and trust God to give you daily bread.
GENESIS 13:2
+
The Godly Use of Wealth
It was a famous maxim, not only in the schools of the philosophers but also among the theologians: "What is outside us does not concern us." Money and similar things are outside us; hence they do not concern us. This sophistry sounds good, but it is harmful and ungodly. You must rather say: "The things that are outside us concern us very much." For God said (Genesis 1:28): "Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the earth with everything that it contains." Among these gifts are also gold and silver. Make use of these, but in such a way that your heart is good, that is, without greed and without harm to anyone else. In the first place, provide for the livelihood of the people of your household, "so that you may not be worse than a heathen" (1 Timothy 5:8). In the second place, use these things for the advantage of others. Be on your guard, as against a plague that is sure to occur, lest, like foolish Crates, you throw your possessions away or, like Epictetus and the Stoics, do not consider them good and useful. . .. Reform your mind, and use these things with a sincere heart. If God has given you wealth, give thanks to God, and see that you make the right use of it; if He has not given it, do not seek it greedily. Have patience, and trust God to give you daily bread.
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