What is the appropriate alternative to greed?

[anthony1990]

The bible has always been a part of my life and I recently have amped up my bible studies.

I am 25 years old and seeking to prepare myself for financial independence from my parents.

However, I am unsure how to do this in a healthy, non-greedy way.

What would the bible say about acquisition of money in a non-greedy way?

Best,

Anthony

 

[Dovegiven]

Always remember not to fall in love with money.
1 Timothy 6:6-12 (KJV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
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.
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.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

The snare/trap includes becoming a slave to money, rather than money being a servant. Avoid any obsession over money or the power it can buy.

The more excess wealth a person acquires, the more time out of the day must be devoted to caring for it. I liken it to having a pet dog. One limits your ability to always
be available to go do God's will. A second pet magnifies the growing disability. Eventually a person can find themselves mostly caring for pets, their top priority in life. It works
somewhat like that with possession of more wealth than is healthy for you. If it begins to rule you, give more. That keeps you in command of it, seeking God's will for it.

It should serve to be earned honestly and spent well. Once your needs are met, including immediate family, develop a habit of carrying some cash, be willing to give help to
people in need. Never tell it. Then God delights in blessing you to be able to keep doing that while content with whatever you are blessed with.

Remember your parents in their old age, the ones who spent their substance on you to age 25. Honor them by making sure they are high on your giving list while you still have them.
Commit to helping a Christian ministry with some of your time and money. Get and stay involved face to face with people besides the people you work with. There is surely a work for the Lord
to be done by people near you wherever you live.

 

[RJ]

I am 25 years old and seeking to prepare myself for financial independence from my parents.

However, I am unsure how to do this in a healthy, non-greedy way

Not sure I understand how preparing yourself for financial independence from your parents has to do with a "greedy" option!

 

[Bendito]

The bible has always been a part of my life and I recently have amped up my bible studies.

I am 25 years old and seeking to prepare myself for financial independence from my parents.

However, I am unsure how to do this in a healthy, non-greedy way.

What would the bible say about acquisition of money in a non-greedy way?

Best,

Anthony

Do you think that God wants you poor? He wants you to be rich....He gives you the power to get wealth.. This verse even tells you why He gives you that ability
Deuteronomy 8:18

 

[Bendito]

The bible has always been a part of my life and I recently have amped up my bible studies.

I am 25 years old and seeking to prepare myself for financial independence from my parents.

However, I am unsure how to do this in a healthy, non-greedy way.

What would the bible say about acquisition of money in a non-greedy way?

Best,

Anthony

Do you think God wants you to be poor? He actually wants you to be rich..Financially and in all other areas.
This verse tells you why. Deuteronomy 8:18

 

[Chad]

Hi @anthony1990

Check out this thread: Money and Spirituality

 

[Lanolin]

Be content with your wages..John the baptists told this to those coming to him to be baptised and repent.
Paul also learned to be content..whether he was wealthy or starving.
Also, if you have much, learn to give it away/share with those who have nothing.

My advice is...don't get into debt, borrowing money to pay for big things. As you end up being slave to the lender. Only buy what you can actually afford and live within your means.
Proverbs has some good advice on money management as Solomon was the richest man anyone had seen.
But even solomon, Jesus said, and his riches, were not as gloriously clothed as the lilies of the field. So do not worry about your provision as we must trust in the Lord to provide us with our daily bread. Those that trust in themselves, can become prideful and forget God who gives us everything.
It is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than a camel to enter the eye of the needle. And also, don't build big barns to store all your stuff, cos one day your life will be taken from you and you can't take all that stuff with you into Heaven.

 

[robaston]

Not sure I understand how preparing yourself for financial independence from your parents has to do with a "greedy" option!

i support rj's answer here, tony, you really are falling for condemnation from the enemy...think about Romans 8:1

 

[HAllyson]

What would the bible say about acquisition of money in a non-greedy way

Have faith, pray, and search him in His word: God will provide for you. There are several examples of God providing for his people, but here is what Jesus has to say about that which concerns you today:

Matthew 6:
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Remember:

1 Timothy 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.

God bless!

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

The bible has always been a part of my life and I recently have amped up my bible studies.

I am 25 years old and seeking to prepare myself for financial independence from my parents.

However, I am unsure how to do this in a healthy, non-greedy way.

What would the bible say about acquisition of money in a non-greedy way?

Best,

Anthony

Anthony Hi,
As long as you keep a few things in the forefront of your thinking you shall do well.
With out God we can do nothing - dont get into the habit of thinking it is you that makes your wages.
Yes we work and get paid but if we keep the mind set that it is His we can not get over into it is all about me and my wealth and this turns into love of money and slave to it and so forth.

Study proverbs every day until you get this mindset of the wisdom that is being taught - THEN - you wont use or abuse any one to gain riches or money and you will be fare and honest.

Remember God can cause the river to dry up if He needs to.
Remember God in all you do - render unto God what is Gods and the goverment what is theirs.
God Bless and Enjoy the new steps you are taking.
James W