Christian Message Boards: Affluenza

This is topic Affluenza in forum Favorite Devotions at Christian Message Boards.

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Posted by David (Member # 1) on :

READ: Luke 12:13-21
Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. —Luke 12:15

As people in affluent societies stock up on Blackberrys and flat-panel TVs, it’s hard to deny the increasing wealth in many parts of the world. You might call it “affluenza.” There is anxiety, however, amid so much prosperity. It is the economic “puzzle of our time,” said Robert J. Samuelson in The Washington Post. I wonder if this is true because we are attempting to find security in “more stuff”—stuff that is temporary and fleeting.

The Bible calls the pursuit of more stuff “greed.” Jesus warned His followers about greed by telling a story about a rich man. The problem with this rich man was not that he had an abundance of bumper crops, or that he decided to build more storage space (Luke 12:16-18). The problem was that he invested his entire life in his possessions (v.15). He drew his security from his material goods and failed to be “rich toward God” (v.21). Rejecting the knowledge and precepts of God as the basis for life made him a fool. He was living for the moment while presuming on the future (vv.19-20).

The “good life” cannot be found in things. Instead of seeking our security by acquiring “more stuff,” may we find true satisfaction by investing our resources and our lives in and for His kingdom. —Marvin Williams

He possessed all the world had to give him,
He had reached every coveted goal;
But, alas, his life was a failure,
For he had forgotten his soul. —Denison

Poverty of purpose is worse than poverty of purse.

From: Our Daily Bread

http://www.rbc.org/odb/

Posted by IAAFOTL (Member # 6414) on :

"affluenza" LOL, that is a good one!

Yes, amen. Paul said that he would that we prosper even as our soul prospers. If our soul is prospering, then financial prosperity coming our way can and should be of benefit to others, which is really the reason any of us should want abundance. The world should be looking the children of the King when they have need. It should be us that come to their aid.

I could just burst into tears right now, thinking about the abundance some ministries have, and how they aren't doing much with it except accumulating more, it seems.

It also upsets me that more ministries aren't advertising/soliciting laborers for the harvest and using the funds to support those who will go, but want everyone to support them so they, one person, can go, in their billion dollar jets. [Frown]

Ah....don't even get me started! [Roll Eyes]

Posted by becauseHElives (Member # 87) on :

To whom much is given much will be required!