One of the most corrosive quandries we face as American Christians today is that of erroneous teachings about money and our attitude toward capitalism.  Jesus Himself was a capitalist.  

The witness of His Own Words provides us with the right attitude on material possessions and our righteous atttitude toward them.  Jesus taught us in story form, anecdotes, or infomercials, so that we might have an ear of understanding.  These stories have more than one level on which we can access His reasoning.  In these passages, Jesus didn't advocate usuery;  He praised a money lender for his work nonetheless.  If Jesus did not approve, He would not have liken our own best behavior to that of a good and faithful servant.

Luke 19:23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

Matthew 15: 26 "His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!!  27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

For the Scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!" I Timothy 5:17-18.

3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that you will prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." 

Even He, the Lord of Lords, was accompanied by a group of wealthy women who provided for Him materially. Luke 8: I-3;  John.  The emergent church and it's communist overtones chooses to ignore these passages because these words do not suit their agenda, just like the Whore of the Many Waters, who only tells part of the story.

Many godly Bible characters were wealthy. 

Solomon was the wealthiest man in history; yet observe his conclusion of this matter. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  

Job was the wealthiest man of his day (Job I: 3) yet when all his wealth was gone, observe his attitude. Job 1:20-22

We do not please God by being poor; our relationship with Him is the important part of life.  It is not measured by either abundance or absence of material goods. Nowhere in the Bible does God or Jesus specifically condemn anyone simply for having or not having money.  He always deals with their heart attitude.

Jesus Himself not only participated in festive occasions which included eating and drinking with others (Mt 9:10-11; Mk 2:15), there are times when He hosted parties.  Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana, he didn’t chastise the family for having an expensive feast. Nor did he say, "Just drink water and save your money for the poor."  

He was even called a glutton, a drunkard and a friend of riff-raff (Mt 11:18-19; Lk 7:33- 36).   Jesus entered into joyful celebration with "sinners, taxcollectors, prostitutes and the rabble."

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus positively described a lavish feast (Lk 15:22-
23).  

The Gospels repeatedly record Jesus giving thanks for food (i.e., Mt 14:19; 27:26-27).  As the perfect Man, Jesus exemplified grateful enjoyment for God’s bountiful gifts.  He demonstrated that "the religion of gratitude cannot mislead us" (Wordsworth).  Genuine gratitude and enjoyment can coexist with a sacrificial, generous determination to relieve the suffering of others.  (The Apostle Paul echoes this theme in 1 Cor 10:30 and 1 Tim 6:17-18).  

The Bible does NOT say that money is the root of all evil, It says... "the LOVE of money is the root of all evil... " I Timothy 6:10.

One of our commandments is to refrain from envy and covetousness, to be content with what Gods provisions for us.  This includes talents, looks, aptitudes, and family background.   All we have been given is a blessing!!  We are not to be ashamed of Gods work or to gainsay His decisions. Psalm 49: 16-17; Exodus 20:17

We are to be content in whatever state we find ourselves, resting in  the LORD JESUS CHRIST Philippians 4:11 Interestingly, Paul wrote these words while in jail!

Let's consider the things which we know from experience money can not buy:

 Wisdom, in Proverbs 16:16
 A righteous life, in Proverbs 28:6; Proverbs 16:8; Psalm 37:16
 A good night's sleep, from Ecclesiastes 5:12 
Gods own word, in Psalm 119:14, 72, 127
Good health, in Luke 8:43
Peace and quiet from Ecclesiastes 4:6; and Proverbs 15:16; 17:1

Matthew 6: 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1 Timothy 5:8New International Version (NIV)

8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.I Timothy 5:8.

In 3 John 1:2, John, His beloved disciples, says to us Christians, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you will prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." 

A message to the emergent church from Christ Jesus: Proverbs 11: 1, "A false balance is abomination to the Lord...".Luke 19 12 27

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