I can't believe I just read this...

[theveed]

Why People Accumulate Wealth
When the Bible speaks of wealth, it not only relates to money but also to homes, families, abilities, talents, intelligence, and education—everything we have. God’s perspective of wealth is always centered around attitudes. So, in keeping with God’s perspective of wealth, and realizing that the accumulation means more than just storing away—it also refers to making, using, spending, and sharing wealth—why do people accumulate wealth? There are seven basic reasons why people accumulate wealth: (1) others advise it; (2) envy of others; (3) it is a game; (4) self-esteem; (5) the love of money; (6) for protection; and (7) given by God as a spiritual gift.

Others advise it
Many people get into investments, businesses, or other ventures simply because someone else advises them to do so. They don’t have any clear personal plans or goals. If God supplied them an abundance, they would not really have a plan for sharing, reinvesting, or saving. They simply commit their resources to some program because somebody else thinks it’s a good idea. Christians are advised by God’s Word to seek many counselors on everything, because with too few counselors plans go astray. “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).

Therefore, according to God’s plan, Christians are to seek counsel, especially in money management. But they also must weigh every counsel against God’s Word. Listen to new ideas, but seek God’s directive before making any decisions, and don’t become involved simply because somebody has a new idea.

Envy of others
Many people accumulate money simply because they envy other people. They fall into the trap of “keeping up with the Joneses.” Although Christians are not to envy those who are storing up riches, many times they unfortunately find themselves envying others and allow their lifestyles to be dictated by those around them. “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

It is a game
Many people, Christians included, accumulate money as a game; they match themselves against others relentlessly. The world system heavily promotes this concept. It elevates the winners regardless of how they plan the game. The only problem is that the game quickly overwhelms the players. Participants get so wrapped up in the contest that they sacrifice family, friends, or health to keep winning. One of the best ways to avoid the game trap is through long-range planning for surplus. Commit a large portion of each investment to the Lord’s work. Doing so transfers focus from serving self to serving God.

Self-esteem
Those people who accumulate money for self-esteem do it so others might notice them or even envy them. Although it is a worldly motive, it characterizes the motives of many Christians. Those who are enslaved to this motive use money in an attempt to buy esteem and acceptance, even from family members. They want people to notice them, cater to them, elevate them, and yield to their wants or desires. Very seldom do they give anonymously. Usually giving is for the purpose of self-promotion. Because esteem and importance will fade as quickly as the money, a Christian cannot accumulate wealth for self-esteem within God’s plan.

The love of money
Those who love money wouldn’t part with it for anything—not even for esteem. Their lives are characterized by hoarding and abasement. They may have accumulated thousands, but the loss of even a few dollars is traumatic. Unfortunately, many Christians cling to every material possession they can. Trapped by the love of money, they would let their families do without rather than part with their most precious possessions. “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money separates us from God. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ’I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

For protection
Sometimes people accumulate money for protection. Obviously, since we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, we should protect against potential future problems. It is this type of logic that some Christians use to justify accumulating money. But, if we look closely, it soon becomes apparent that those who use protection as a rationalization for accumulating money do not trust God enough to believe that He can supply family needs. Those who accumulate for protection don’t really love money, nor are they accumulating money for esteem; they are just concerned about what might happen in the future.

In addition to accumulating money, the desire for protection is displayed through obtaining large amounts of life insurance, disability insurance, liability insurance, or larger than average amounts of any asset. None of these are bad within themselves; it is only through misuse that they become corruptive.

Anxiety over the future traps many Christians into protection; they are no longer trusting God as the source of their current and future supply but are trusting in worldly things. However, when those worldly things collapse, their faith also collapses. Christians are to provide for their families’ future but not try to protect them against every potential future problem.

Given by God as a spiritual gift
There is only one reason that God supplies a surplus of wealth to Christians—so that they can provide for the needs of others. Because true wealth comes with giving, God promises His blessings to all who freely give. However, He also promises His curse on those who hoard, steal, covet, or idolize. Therefore, if Christians who have a surplus adjust their lifestyles to lavishness and indulgence, they totally buffer God’s direction.

In God’s plan, Christians are the ones to whom He has given the privilege of funding His work. So, why does God provide an accumulation of wealth? To enable His people to exercise the gift of giving.

Conclusion
Money and wealth can be used for the comfort and convenience of families, to meet the needs of others, and to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Or it can be used for destructive purposes. Since attitude determines how wealth should be used, it is vital to determine, in light of God’s principles, what attitudes are acceptable to God and why that acceptable attitude must be maintained as God increases wealth.

=========

[theveed]

But, if we look closely, it soon becomes apparent that those who use protection as a rationalization for accumulating money do not trust God enough to believe that He can supply family needs.

WHA???!

[yebo]

bossing, pinahaba mo pa e. nasa bible na yan.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

pwede mo itanim sa lupa, pwede mo ibalik ng doble, o kaya magsipag ka ng husto at ibalik mo ng triple. kay Lord mo ibabalik syempre. kung ano man ang naibigay nya sa iyong biyaya, pagyamanin mo at gamitin sa pagsisilbi sa Diyos.

[kiper]

Agnostic ako.

Yebo..hmm..yan ang practice ng karamihan sa new churches.

[yebo]

pero di ako agree dun sa sinabi na "those who use protection.....do not trust God enough..."

tama nga na sabi ni Lord e "the lilies of the field do not sow or reap but God attends to them like the sheperd tends his sheep", pero di sinabi ni Lord na mali ang magsumikap at maghanda para sa future. e kung tutunganga lang tayo maghapon tignan ko lang kung tapunan ka ni Lord ng kahit isang pirasong pandesal dyan hehehe!

[empy]

sir, who's the writer of this article?

i must admit this sounds like a plea to 'give more of your money to the church'.

i'm a firm believer that God helps those who help themselves, and accumulation of wealth (and the enjoyment of its fruits) is not wrong as long as you don't do it by screwing others.

besides, i guess we are all sinners for wanting to be rich so we can afford the expensive exotic cars that we covet... :D

[pajerokid]

I like money. Am I evil? :bwahaha:

[jim]

Nasa Tao ang Gawa, Nasa Diyos ang Awa.............

[theveed]

forgot which website I saw this from... I was searching for articles on tips on accumulating wealth and it pointed me to this religious site...

yebo: no clue, I dont read the bible enough to know where this came from.

[theveed]

found it http://www.thegoodsteward.com/articl...articleID=2161

[mazdamazda]

Originally posted by yebo
pero di ako agree dun sa sinabi na "those who use protection.....do not trust God enough..."

tama nga na sabi ni Lord e "the lilies of the field do not sow or reap but God attends to them like the sheperd tends his sheep", pero di sinabi ni Lord na mali ang magsumikap at maghanda para sa future. e kung tutunganga lang tayo maghapon tignan ko lang kung tapunan ka ni Lord ng kahit isang pirasong pandesal dyan hehehe!

yebo, nag follow-up siya sa statement na yan in the next paragraph.

In addition to accumulating money, the desire for protection is displayed through obtaining large amounts of life insurance, disability insurance, liability insurance, or larger than average amounts of any asset. None of these are bad within themselves; it is only through misuse that they become corruptive.

Anxiety over the future traps many Christians into protection; they are no longer trusting God as the source of their current and future supply but are trusting in worldly things. However, when those worldly things collapse, their faith also collapses. Christians are to provide for their families’ future but not try to protect them against every potential future problem.

simply put, some Christians become more dependent on these kinds of things rather than God. the statementent "when those worldly things collapse, their faith also collapses" sums it all up.

[mazdamazda]

MANAGING YOUR FINANCES

I. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES REGARDING MONEY
God gives some specific commands regarding money and how to handle it. Let us consider some of them.

A. Avoid Debt. What can you learn from these verses?

Rom. 13:8 God does not want his people in debt. The Bible says: Owe no man anything, but to love one another. . . Don’t borrow money except for appreciating assets like a house and lot. Any time we go into debt, we lose some of
our freedom. The Bible says, Prov. 22:7 “The borrower is servant to the lender”

Many times God calls people to serve Him, but they are unable to do so because of debts. When somebody is in need and borrowing money from us, offer to give what we can afford as a gift to free the person from the burden of being indebted to us.

B. Do not make money your God.

Luke 16:13 We cannot serve God and, at the same time , make
money our goal in life. Jesus said that it is impossible to
serve God and money.

The bible warns us again and again of the danger of money,
Jesus called it Tim. 6: 9 “the mammon of unrighteousness” Because money is part of Satan unrighteous world system, and it so often leads people away from God. Money gives people a sense of power and importance, but it offers no real security.

Tim. 6:17 the bible says, “Charge them that are rich in this world,
that they not be high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches . .. “
Rather than putting our trust in ‘uncertain riches,’ we are to put our trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”

(1) Do not be obsessed to be rich. Why?

1 Tim. 6:10 The loved of money has destroyed more people than perhaps any other thing. You do not have to be rich to love money. Often those who have the least of it love it most.

Pro. 28:22 The Bible cautions us against quick and easy ways to get rich. Dishonest men often use get-rich schemes to steal money from trusting people.

(2) Do not hoard money.

Every Christian should save some money out of what he earns so that he has something for emergencies. But we are not to hoard money.

Ecc. 5:13 Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, “ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.”

Matt. 6:19-21 Jesus urges us to lay up treasure in heaven rather than lay treasure on earth.

[mazdamazda]

MANAGING MONEY WISELY

A principle regarding money which is emphasized in the bible is this: If we are wise in handling
small amounts of money, God will entrust us with more. (See Matthew 25: 14-30)

Let us consider some practical ways of handling money wisely.

1. Have a budget.

Many people are careless with their money. They spend it and say, “ Where did it all go?”

The way to avoid this is to have a budget and keep a record of all expenses.
(Ezra 8: 33-34; 2 Cor. 8:18-22)

To manage your money money properly, don’t ask where it went: you tell it where to go.

2. Pay your tithe to God

A tithe is Hebrew means 10% of all that we earn. What are His promises if we are faithfully
tithing? (Malachi 3:10)

3. Set aside money for emergencies

In every family there are always those times when things go wrong and emergencies occur.
Perhaps it is an unexpected car expense or medical bill can be met without wrecking your budget (Prov. 21:20)


4. Avoid over-extended credit buying

We must not accept the “Buy -now-pay later” philosophy of the world. When credit is too easily obtained,
it is easy to incur so many debts that payments cannot be made (Ps.37:7 : Pro. 22:7)

Don’t use your credit card as a bank to borrow from only charge what you can afford to pay each month.

5. Distinguish needs and “wants”

God has promised to meet all our needs, but He has not promised to meet all our “wants.” We must distinguish
between the two. We should buy things for their usefulness, not for their “status,” or just because we want them.
( Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19:
Pro. 21:17)

6. Avoid impulse buying

Often we see something we want and buy it before we have considered whether or not we can afford it.
This mistake can be avoided by the following the “delayed action rule.” (Lk. 9:23; Jn. 6:27; Pro. 21:17)

What is the “delayed action rule?” It is this: Do not make any purchase of any size under the pressure of sales talk.
When the salesman has finished his talk, just say “Thank you I will let you know my decision within a day or so.”

This allows you time to think about the matter and to make a decision away from the pressure of the sales talk.

7. Pay bills on time

Prompt payment of bills is honoring to the Lord. It gives you a good name and good credit rating. It is a good witness
to unsaved people. ( Mt. 18:28-30 : Rom. 13:8 ;
Lk. 14:28-29}

8. Live on what God provides

God has promised to provide what we need, but he has not promised that we will live in great abundance.
Every Christian should learn to live on what God Provides and not be under pressure because of a desire for
wealth or material things. The Apostle Paul learned to live in contentment whether he has little or much. ( Phil. 4: 11, 12)



9. SPECIAL WARNING: Do not co-sign notes

Six times in the book of Proverbs, God warns us against being “surety” for another persons debts.
Today we call this co-signing.” When we co-sign a note with someone, it means that we are assuming
responsibility for the payment of debt. If for some reason, the other person does not pay, then we must pay it.
We should not co-sign someone’s note because God plainly tells us not to do it (Pro.22: 26)

Many people have learned through sad experience that, when they tried to help a friend by co-signing his note,
they ended up losing both their money and their friend.

[yebo]

"precious! my precious!" hehehehe!

naging tsikot.com ministry bigla a! sino ba ang pastor dito!

[jds]

AMEN ako dyan, mazda^2

[rIkaBab3s]

I don't think that this is a 'plea to give more of your money to the church', but more of a plea to share your wealth to the needy (one of which is the church).

reading the whole context, hindi masama ang magkaron ng wealth as long as sa tama ginagamit at sa tamang paraan din na-acquire.

besides, ang sabi naman, 'do not trust God enough...' di naman sinabing 'do not trust God completely'... so kahit pano raw may trust pa rin... ;) ;p

[pissword]

hahah huwaww..... parang ngayon ko lang napansin un mga relihiyoso dito ah hehehe keep it up

[theveed]

I honestly dont think that the church is part of the "needy" hehe... but no point arguing this, di ako relihyoso... :P

[Bogeyman]

Originally posted by theveed
those who use protection as a rationalization for accumulating money do not trust God enough to believe that He can supply family needs. Those who accumulate for protection don’t really love money, nor are they accumulating money for esteem; they are just concerned about what might happen in the future.

In addition to accumulating money, the desire for protection is displayed through obtaining large amounts of life insurance, disability insurance, liability insurance, or larger than average amounts of any asset.

Bogeyman 3:16 says, "Those who claim righteousness in all things, shall mind their business and theirs alone." (hehehe)

Seriously, nasa paggamit lang ng pera yan. Of course it's ridiculous that you can protect yourself from every circumstance imaginable by money alone, pero masama din naman na pabayaan natin yung mga sarili natin di ba? That wouldn't exactly be showing our gratitude to the Lord who created us. He wants us to value our lives di ba, to use it to spread His word and work. What good would we be to that mission if we're already dead from our own negligence and naivete?

Walang masama na maghangad ng kaginhawaan sa buhay. Basta hindi nako-compromise ang pagtingin natin sa sarili, sa ibang tao at sa Diyos. Huwag gawing sentro ng buhay ang salapi. Instrumento lang ang pera. We must never lose sight of why we're here in this world.

[tagalnasaabroad]

basta ako ten commandments parin..!

one christian way to have a sense of satisfying fulfillment in your life..go help & share with the needy..immersion..eat what they eat, drink what they drink, sleep where they sleep..daming squatters dyan satin..

kahit isang taon lang..plsssss..