What are the dangers of having too much?
1. Lose my eternal perspective
but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. James 1:10-11
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20
2. Become insensitive to the poor
Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury. At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Luke 16:19-21
3. Looking for ultimate happiness in possessions
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25
And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Luke 12:15
In the next twenty-five years, the world’s system will produce more goods that all the previous history of the world combined.—Barry Asmus
4. Hoarded wealth will testify against us
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. James 5:1-3 (NIV)
But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. Luke 16:25
Do I have too much?
Am I tempted to accumulate more and more?
You have hoarded wealth in the last days. James 5:3 (NIV)
Am I tempted to be dishonest in my business dealings?
For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. James 5:4 (NLT)
Am I tempted to be self-indulgent?
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. James 5:5 (ESV)
Am I tempted to worship things?
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Matt. 4:8-10
Affluenza =is an unhappy condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more.
How much salary is enough?
How big of a TV do I need?
How fast does my computer have to be?
How many cds can I listen to?
Have I run out of closet space?
Can I park my car in the garage?
What kind of car is satisfactory?
And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 1 Tim. 6:8
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