How to create wealth and what to do with it….

Yes—But What About the Alternative-

Based on our brief discussion at MH, there is some truth in the above message...

How to communicate it so that someone we love buys it is still an open issue.

If we can find a way to change the G-word from Greed to God, and bring God and the whole of Bible into the discussion we may find the solution.

The real answer is faith in Christ overlaying a blanket of striving to work out our own salvation...sanctification becoming Christ like that will drive us away from sinful behaviors.

Greed implies being 100% self focused. (We were actually born this way, think of a newborn crying, demanding baby for our first clue)

God calls us to abide in Christ and conform to his image and as we are transformed that focus changes and ultimately if it were possible to be 100% to His glory.

I do believe that capitalism done in a climate of faith driven virtue can produce the greatest growth in both wealth of society and the greatest Christ like generous service to the world. The idea is that the fruits of our labors are fairly exchanged. And that each party in the exchange gets what they want and desire….which can include both profit to the seller and value to the buyer.

Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Greed is a sin whether in economics or politics or even religion; love is a virtue, which we are called to pursue....but not only for our neighbor, there is some love that we do keep for ourselves at least until we are called to become perfect and sacrifice our whole selves even to those we love.

1 Cor 13:3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

As Paul also says:

Phil 2:17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Ultimately we may be called to give 100% of ourselves...there is no greater love than that.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.

Even in this totally committed love....as you can see in Philippians chapters 1 Paul and 2 Jesus...find an ultimate eternal gain and glory respectively which they obtain through sacrifice.

As you read the Bible, most of the great love your neighbor passages do implicitly carry a private personal self love message also.

A few examples....

Lev 19:18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord

Matt 22:38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Phil 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

If one is worshiping the true God of the Bible you are called to be a slave and obey your master’s commands. Our sacrifices in obedience are to be freely given.

Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

But this is a lot bigger deal than just living in a communistic or socialistic society, ruled by an elite group of men or women. In all of these societies we are worshipping “man” or the “state” and not God. They may require you to give or sacrifice for the good of society...but that is really just the act of taking or using another word stealing. It is not the faith driven worship the Bible presents.

Show me one such society where God is honored and worshipped and all is done for His glory and purpose.