MONEY IS EQUAL TO...

MONEY IS EQUAL TO ... 

Josimar Salum

The apostle Paul wrote, “In truth, I also lose all things, because of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord; for which I suffered the loss of all these things and consider them as dung, so that I can gain Christ.” Philippians 3: 8. 

Paul suffered the loss of the most diverse things and considered them literally as 💩 so that he could win Christ.

So don't be offended, but money is equal to 💩, it only works if you put it out or spend it.

"“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 

Let me share three things that have enriched my life.

REGARDING GENEROSITY

If you want to thrive in real life you need to be generous in abundance.

"The covetous covets all day, but the righteous gives generously." Proverbs 21:26

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25 

You don't have to be rich to help your friend. The following phrases are lame excuses: "I just don't help, because I don't have enough for myself." “I just don't help, because I can't. "When I make a lot of money, I will help."

Generosity is a state of the soul. Generosity can be expressed by a reaching out to help, by simply being a volunteer, by a gesture of practical love, by any act of free aid.

My friend Nilson Da Silva told a story that took place in a very poor country:

“An extremely hungry person asked a housewife if she had an egg to spare, and she said that she was poor also and had none. I asked: What about the eggs on your table? You can give two of them.”

REGARDING DISHONESTY

"“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin!" Habakkuk 2:9 

"Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow." Proverbs 13:11 

"Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate." Psalms 101:5 

"Making a fortune by lying is vanity and a death trap." Proverbs 21: 6

REGARDING HE WHO SUFFERS FROM DISHONESTY 

Someone can steal from you individually and take advantage of your generosity.

Someone can embezzle money for their own benefit, that of their family, their company, church, association, municipality, state/federal government or any organization. You can deceive your neighbor, offer a bribe or accept it; distort the right of the needy or plunge into corruption in any form.

“Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?  The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.  But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.  He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them." Psalms 94:20‭-‬23 

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:7‭-‬10‭, ‬17‭-‬19 

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 

#ASONE

Translated by: Filipe S.S.Gouvea