Proverbs 8:18-21 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Riches in Scripture are considered the cause of much sin and rebellion against God; and, for this cause, there are many warnings to men, especially converted men, to shun all covetousness of such (Deut. 6:10-17; Ps. 52:1-7; 73:1-22; Pro. 23:4-5; 28:20-22; 30:8-9; Jer. 9:23; Ezek. 28:5; Matt. 6:19; Luke 6:24; 12:15-20; 16:13-31; 1Tim. 6:4-19; Jas. 1:9-11; 5:1-3).
Covetousness [the intense lust for gain] is forbidden (Ex. 20:17; Matt. 6:19-21; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 5:3; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17). Hatred of it was one qualification of leaders, civil and religious (Ex. 18:21; 1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7; 1Pet. 5:2). It will damn the soul (1Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:3-5; 1Tim. 6:9-11; 2Pet. 2:3, 14). It must be killed out entirely (Col. 3:2-6).
Covetousness breeds: Greed and murder (1:19; Isa. 56:11; Jer. 22:17). Poverty and rebellion (11:24). Oppression and violence (22:16; Jer. 22:17; Mic. 2:2). Denial of God (30:8-9). Injustice (Isa. 1:23; Mic. 7:3). Backsliding (Mic. 3:11). Deceptions (Matt. 13:22). Defilement (Mark 7:21-23). Temptations and lusts (1Tim. 6:9-11; 1Jn. 2:15-17). A short life and a fool’s end (Jer. 17:11; Luke 12:16-21).
Seven sins of wicked rich men: Heaping together treasures on earth (Jas. 5:3; Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:15-21). Defrauding labourers (Jas. 5:4; Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14-15; Jer. 22:13; Mal. 3:5). Living in pleasure at the expense of those defrauded (Jas. 5:5; Matt. 23:14). Living in wantonness or sensual appetites to the uttermost (Jas. 5:5; Rom. 13:13; 1Tim. 5:11; 2Pet. 2:18). Nourishing the heart, or living in luxury and pride (Jas. 5:5). Condemning the just, or perverting the judgment of the poor (Jas. 2:1-10; 5:6). Killing the just to multiply their own riches (Jas. 5:6; 1Kin. 21:1-29).
To be continued…
Living the Word 