Doctrines about Wealth

Verses 19-24:  Doctrines about wealth

Wealth in the light of Scripture:

1.      It is gift of God (1 Samuel 2:7) and God gives you power to make wealth (Duet 8:18). 

2.      Wealth is uncertain (1 Timothy 6:17); it could rot away or perish (James 5:2, 1 Peter 1:18), and it is deceitful (Matthew 13:22); could be destroyed (Jeremiah 48:36) and be cause of all sorrow (1 Timothy 6:10).  

3.      There will be punishment for:

a.       Anyone who earns wealth in unjust manner (Jeremiah  17:11)

b.      Anyone who increases wealth by defrauding (Mitch 2:2-3)

c.       One who depends on it (Luke 6:24)

d.      Anyone who misuse it (James 5:1,5)  

4.      ^“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10).  “They will exploit others, mistreat the poor, cheated and have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence” (James 2:6; James 5:4, 5). 

5.      People should acknowledge that wealth is from God (1 Chronicles 29:12) and should not depend on it (1 Timothy 6:17) nor be proud of it (Duet 8:17).  

6.      Use your fortune for “making a place of worship for my God” (1 Chronicles 29:3).  

7.      Give to the poor (Matthew 19:21; 1 John 3:17). Use for the well being of others (Luke 16:9) and be generous (1 Timothy 6:18). We should not show pride because of wealth (6:17). Don’t store up treasures on earth, but store up your treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19, 20).

8.      Remember the rich in the Holy Bible, such as Abraham, Isaac, Loath, Joseph, Bovas, David, Job, Joseph of Arimathea, Zacchaeus, and Tabitha (Acts 9:36).

Verses 6:19: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and worms destroy, and where thieves break in and steal”

(Most Bibles use the word ‘moth and rust’.  Some scholars are of the opinion that the word used in Greek is ‘Brosis’ (eating, consuming, the act of eating) and it has never been used as ‘rust’).

Moth mainly destroys the clothes.  Easterners like luxury clothing.  Gehazi (servant of Elisha) was tempted by luxurious clothing from Naaman (2 King 5; 22) and Achan was tempted by expensive clothing (Josh 7:20). Moth destroys eatables.

The houses in Palestine at that time were built with mud. So thieves could break it open and steal.

In short one who rejoice in his material wealth will be disappointed because nothing of it is eternal.

V 6:20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and worms do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal”

Our Lord’s teaching is that any treasure deposited for selfish reasons would be in vain and anything given as gift is a treasure in Heaven. Early church also regarded helping the poor as very important (Acts). Apart from this, our Lord taught that even one’s character is eligible for Heaven.  These are people like infants, poor in spirit, pure in heart, sufferer for truth, and righteous people.

This is not to say this world is trivial. But its importance is that it leads us to Heaven. This world is not the final destination.  A Christian’s view is that it is a rest area in-between, passing through it looking towards our final destination.  One who treasures earth will have their heart, soul, and thinking in it, too.

St. John Chrysostom:  “Which is better? Safety of your wealth in the doubtful earth or in the safe heaven? How foolish is to you to save nothing in the heaven which would be your kingdom and leave everything in the earth from where you leave soon?”

 St. Jerome: “Lord teaches the benefits of being charitable.  One who saves in earth cannot expect anything in heaven.  Why look to the Heaven, where you have not saved anything?”

This is applicable not only with money, but for anything.   One who likes to eat a lot likes his stomach. For a lover, it is his desire.  For that which he is subservient to, he serves it.  Where his wealth is, there his heart will be also.

The treasure in heaven means acceptance by our Heavenly Father. The treasure of the world is wealth, fame, respect, indulgence, power, and animal instincts.  Prayer (Mat 5:5), giving (5:2), and fasting (5:16) are all treasures in heaven.  We have to shift our treasure from earth to heaven.