Proverbs 10:21-23 (NKJV) The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.
Money is neutral. God does not oppose us being rich. There are two paths to success: the world’s way and God’s way. The outcome varies greatly depending on which path you choose.
The wise can recognise what are God’s blessings because the family stays united and there is no sorrow in the end. We know that we have imputed righteousness when we accept Christ. Our identity is in Christ, and how God perceives us is most important. We have no fear of rejection or people’s opinions. We acknowledge our need for God’s wisdom and will seek it from Him. We understand that we are stewards of God’s money and must manage it responsibly. We trust that God will open opportunities that no one can close, and we will experience God’s favour in our lives and glorify Him. We stay humble and teachable, with God as our priority in life.
In contrast, fools rely on worldly wisdom. The love of money, or the desire to become rich, leads to all kinds of evil. Fools’ identities tend to be tied to their assets, social standing, and the companies they work for. They value how others see them. When people love money, they often compromise their values and principles, becoming controlled by the tyranny of the urgent. God is no longer their priority; they do not seek His will for their lives. No longer trusting God to bless them, they pursue wealth and success in the world’s way.
They will easily burn out because they have distanced themselves from God and make excuses for not spending time in God’s presence daily. They will abandon fellowship with other believers and shun close friends and loved ones who attempt to speak into their lives. This is the beginning of sorrow. Eventually, they will lose their relationships with God and their loved ones, and all they have in their hearts and minds is money, power and status.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NKJV) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The desire to be rich and the love of money that accompanies foolish, harmful lust, and human greed have caused people to suffer many sorrows. Therefore, much wisdom is needed to ensure that money does not become a hidden god in our lives.
Reflection: In what ways might the desire for success or financial security subtly blind you to spiritual danger, causing you to compromise values you once held firmly?
Sermon Series: Is Money Evil?
作智慧人，不作愚昧人
箴言10:21–23 义人的口教养多人，愚昧人因无知而死亡。耶和华所赐的福使人富足，并不加上忧虑。愚妄人以行恶为戏耍，明哲人却以智慧为乐。
金钱本身是中性的。神并不反对人富足。然而，通往成功有两条道路：一条是世界的方式，另一条是神的方式。你选择哪一条路，最终的结果将截然不同。
智慧人能够分辨何为从神而来的祝福，因为真正的祝福带来家庭的合一，最终也不加上忧愁。我们因接受基督而得着归算的义，我们的身份在基督里，神如何看我们才是最重要的。我们不再惧怕被拒绝或在意人的眼光。我们承认自己需要神的智慧，并主动向祂寻求。我们明白自己只是神财富的管家，必须负责任地管理祂所托付的一切。我们相信神会为我们打开无人能关的门，在生活中经历祂的恩宠，并将荣耀归给祂。我们保持谦卑、受教的心，以神为生命中的首要。
相反，愚昧人倚靠世俗的智慧。贪爱钱财，或一心想要发财，会引发各样的罪恶。愚昧人的身份往往建立在资产、社会地位或所任职的公司之上，他们极度在意他人的评价。当人爱钱时，常常为了利益而妥协价值与原则，被“紧急事务的暴政”所辖制。神不再是他们生命中的优先，他们也不再寻求神对自己人生的旨意。不再信靠神的祝福，他们转而用世界的方式追逐财富与成功。
他们很容易耗尽身心，因为与神渐行渐远，并为自己不再每天亲近神找借口。他们渐渐疏远弟兄姊妹的团契，也回避那些愿意真诚提醒他们的亲友。这正是忧愁的开端。最终，他们可能失去与神以及与所爱之人的关系，心中所剩下的只有金钱、权力和地位。
提摩太前书 6:9–10 但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑，落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。 贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。
一味追求致富的欲望，以及伴随而来的贪爱钱财、愚昧有害的私欲和人性的贪婪，使许多人承受了无数的愁苦。因此，我们需要极大的智慧，谨防金钱在不知不觉中成为我们生命里的“隐形偶像”。
反思：
在追求成功或财务安全的过程中，是否有某些时刻让你渐渐忽略属灵的警醒，以致开始妥协你曾坚定持守的价值与原则？
讲章系列：金钱是邪恶的吗？