Today’s Personal Finance Bible Scripture comes from Proverbs 13:7.
7One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.Proverbs 13:7 (NIV)
While I think it’s fun to look at this verse as a warning against “keeping up with the Joneses”, I think the Amplified Bible gives us a more accurate and applicable translation:
7One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another man considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches.
Proverbs 13:7 (AMP)
As Christians, we have a great reward in Christ Jesus. Even the poorest of Christians in this life is far richer than the wealthiest non-Christian. This is why I emphasize so strongly that God’s blessing in a Christian’s life may not come in the form of material things. We are already greatly blessed because Christ died for us—material things beyond food and clothing are merely extras.
Contentment is so important in a Christian’s life because it helps us realize that we don’t need much in this life to be happy beyond a close relationship with our God. Once we fully grasp this reality, we can begin to serve God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind.
Greetings brother in Jesus,
Thank you for your comments, and labor of love to all who would absorb the word(JESUS).
I would like to present another perspective on material things, in which are needed. Paul stated I have learned to be content in whatssoever state I am in.
We know our God lacks nothing neither does He keep any good thing from us. While we have riches in Jesus, which includes Kingdom principals, and that which would glorify Him. Many countries including the US. still operate in the curse of poverty, and not the abundance of prosperity. Children that are dying daily as we present the Gospel message of life(JESUS). Look to provision, such as clothing, food, clean water, etc. They do not understand the context in which Paul writes. For they cannot be content in such conditions. Furthermore, it is not God’s plan for any of us to go without. Many ministries, and Pastors, are povern stricken through gaining money and loving money the worlds way. Yet, God, would have us overflowing in the abundace of His provision, which would not only ovettake us, but those in whom we distribute. It is God’s heart to give us the treasures of the Kingdom. Many fail to reach this mindset, not understanding that it is the love of money which condemns them;not the money. The more money we have as the stewards of God, the more we can do in advancing the Kingdom, and partaking of the abundant life ourself. Through the blood of Jesus, and as being born again of God. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. It is written, we(you) have the mind of Christ. Today we can walk in the cool of the garden, with our God, and talk with Him. We have been giving the authority in Jesus name, to call in our inheritance, because we are the sons and daughters of God, and as Abraham, was highly blessed of God, so are we through this same covenant in which we excercise our faith. Satan, has many oppressed and derailed, with the mindset, that we are to be poor and broke? Why? So we cannot advance the Kingdom of God, and bring in the harvest of souls, that Jesus commanded us to do. We operate on an entirely different plain, then the world, and God has gone to great lengths, through the death and burial and ressurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the True and Living God of Israel. If many would start sowing their seed, with a heart to see the world saved. The Christian community, would not be so broke, and children would not be starving to death.God desires to raise up institutions(Ministries)and to supply them with all that is needed. Much money is needed for these services in restoring the breach, of those who horde money for themselves instead of helping those in great need. Properity is not a message to get wealth for the flesh, but a message to understand the truth of God’s divine plan in delivering all in every area of their lives. May God’s prosperity and abundace, overtake all who so desire to delivere the oppressed and hurting in Jesus name. Salvation is prosperity in Jesus Christ.
Peace and love in thanksgiving of Jesus,
Daniel