Being Successful Wisdom Regarding Wealth Greed vs Generosity

Being Successful

Wisdom Regarding Wealth

Greed vs Generosity

Rich and poor have this in common:

The LORD is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

We also have this in common:

 We all put on a shirt the same way

The question is what people see

Do they see Greed or Generosity?

 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31 NIV

If you are Greedy and Needy there is no hope

If you are Generous and Kind the blessing you will find WMS

Being Successful

Wisdom Regarding Wealth

Greed vs Generosity

Jesus started His ministry with these words…

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has

anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

Luke 4:18 NIV

In view of Jesus’ life it is very clear He spent much

of His ministry bringing the “good news to the poor”.

On several occasions we see Jesus telling His followers

to sell their possessions and give the proceeds to the poor.

 

Yet, on one occasion a woman named Mary took some

very expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet with it.

This became an outrage with Judas and he said to Jesus…

"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?

It was worth a year's wages.”

John 12:5 NIV 

Jesus replied…

“You will always have the poor among you,

 but you will not always have me."  

John 12:8 NIV

The poor you will always have and it

can become an overwhelming burden.

Jesus points out that we should be generous

and deal with the problem of poverty.

But just giving money is not the answer.

Judas’ words sounded good

“sell and give to the poor” but …

He did not say this because he cared

about the poor but because he was a thief

John 12:6 NIV

Greed was the motive in Judas’ heart.

On the other hand, Mary gave a gift to Jesus.

It would seem this very temporary gift was a waste.

Someone could have lived for a whole year

or a few hours of wonderful smelling feet.

Jesus saw the generosity in Mary and said…

“…wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world,

what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." 

Mark 14:9 NIV

If we deal with Generosity and Greed

we will have dealt with the issue of poverty

Proverbs regarding Generosity…

Generosity has open eyes to the

needs of others and gives.

 Proverbs 28:27

Generosity has eyes of appreciation

and gives to the Lord.

Proverbs 3:9,10

Kind people are blessed

Proverbs 11:17; 14:21

Honoring the Lord with your

wealth brings natural blessing.

Proverbs 3:9,10

Generosity brings prosperity

Proverbs 11:24, 25

Kindness to the poor is lending to

the Lord and He will reward you.

Proverbs 19:17

A generous heart changes everything

and opens the door for God’s blessing.

Proverbs regarding Greed…

Greed leaves you feeling never satisfied

Proverbs 30: 15, 16

Laziness, craving for more (greed), not willing to work for it

Proverbs 21:25, 26

Hypocrisy, giving but expecting return

Proverbs 23:6-8

Greed ill-gotten gain will bring trouble on yourself.

Proverbs 1:19

Greed brings trouble on your family and others

Proverbs 15:27

A greedy heart changes everything.

 It takes what it has not earned, it

brings poverty to himself and others. 

The issues of poverty is not a lack of money.

The issue of poverty is a heart issues.

A heart of greed will bring poverty and curse.

A heart of generosity will bring wealth and blessing.

 

We should remember…

Rich and poor have this in common:

The LORD is the Maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:2 NIV

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 14:31 NIV

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 28:27

27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. NIV

Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine. NIV

Proverbs 11:17

17 A kind man benefits himself,

but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. NIV

Proverbs 14:21

21 He who despises his neighbor sins,

but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. NIV

Proverbs 11:24-25

24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous man will prosper;

he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. NIV

Proverbs 19:17

17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will reward him for what he has done. NIV

Proverbs 30:15-16

15 "The leech has two daughters.

'Give! Give!' they cry.

"There are three things that are never satisfied,

four that never say, 'Enough!':

16 the grave, the barren womb,

land, which is never satisfied with water,

and fire, which never says, 'Enough!' NIV

Proverbs 21:25-26

25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him,

because his hands refuse to work.

26 All day long he craves for more,

but the righteous give without sparing. NIV

Proverbs 23:6-8

6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man,

do not crave his delicacies;

7 for he is the kind of man

who is always thinking about the cost.

"Eat and drink," he says to you,

but his heart is not with you.

8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten

and will have wasted your compliments. NIV

Proverbs 1:19

19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;

it takes away the lives of those who get it. NIV

Proverbs 15:27

27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family,

but he who hates bribes will live. NIV