Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 52:1 – 9 (KJV)
Psa 52:1 A Psalm of David, Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Psa 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psa 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Psa 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Psa 52:5 God shall likewise destroy thee forever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
Psa 52:6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Psa 52:7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
Psa 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psa 52:9 I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Timothy 6:1 – 10 (KJV)
1Ti 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
1Ti 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) The Scriptures teach that there are two basic people groups in the world; those who “Believe God” and those who “Do Not” ( that is His Word) and the ones who live life mainly for the accumulation of goods and wealth with no regard for being a “good steward” of the things that they possess, which God has allowed for them, even though they do not give God credit for it; but rather boast on themselves giving no honor to God at all as indicated by the Psalmist here in # 52.
2) One of the most fulfilling things about being saved is operating within the God-given knowledge that even though the world has its way of setting standards of living so that they are poised in favor of the rich and powerful, God who know all things has His way of evaluating what we do with what He has allotted to our charge based on our obedience to His Word, without partiality, so that there will be no advantage for the rich in the sight of God.
3) The Church has been commanded to teach believers in Jesus Christ to avoid the trap of letting the love of money, possessions and riches control their behavior, but rather let the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit lead us in the practices of “Good Stewardship” as we endeavor to set our focus on spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.