GOD OWN$ by Benny Ho Chapter 2 'A Biblical Perspective on Wealth'

- Money has the ability to divide people and relationships.

4 Observations about Wealth

1. The Materialistic Grip of Wealth

- Those who lose the battle with materialism are characterized by anxiety and a pursuit of the temporal. There is a contemporary lust for 'more, more, more.'

- It is not surprising then, to see people overworking and under-relating.

- When materialism has done its worst, it will make slaves out of us.

- Materialism can never be satisfied. The more you get, the more you want.

- Ecclesiastes 5:10

- Referring to the materialistic grip of wealth, Jesus said in Matthew 19:23, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

2. The Danger of Hoarding Wealth

- You may have the ability to accumulate great wealth, but you cannot find your security in money.

- Ecclesiastes 5:13-14

- Luke 12:19-20

- The more earthly possessions you have, the colder the deathbed seems.

-Ecclesiastes 5:15 - "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs."

- Wealth is temporary.

3. The Delight of Having Wealth

- Despite the inherent dangers of having wealth, it could still be a gift from God.

- Wealth can be a blessing from God, to be enjoyed by man.

- When we see our wealth as a gift from God and not something we have acquired by our own hands, we will not fight to keep it.

- What ever God gives, He can take away. However, our philosophy should be like that of Job's: 'If God takes it today, I will bless Him for giving it to me yesterday.'

- We must learn to have an "open palm" approach to riches. Hold every blessing God has given you with an open palm. Enjoy these blessings while you have them without the desire to possess them. Therefore if God should choose to take them away, He would not need to pry open your fingers. This way, it would be a delight to have material possessions.

4. The Grace to Enjoy Wealth

- God is the one who gives us the grace to enjoy the wealth that we have, be it little or much.

- Apart from tithing, we should place the remaining 90 percent of our resouces at God's disposal.

- Sacrifices are to be made for the poor, but our lifestyles should show that we are happy, party-going disciples of the One who invites us to a banquet.

- There is nothing wrong with enjoying the good things God has blessed us with. However, we should be careful not to be ensnared by greed and materialism.