Richard Aberdeen
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2026
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- 199
In the Old Testament, we find people of considerable wealth, including the legendary wealth of Solomon, as well as Abraham and King David, among many others. However, in the New Testament, the new Covenant, we find discouragement of wealth accumulation; some of the earliest followers of Jesus were among the poorest of the poor, including Paul and those who traveled with him; see II Corinthians 11:23-30.
Jesus himself says, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" Luke 6:24. And in Acts 20:33-35 we find this from Paul: "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Acts 2:44-47 says the following: "Now all who believed were together and had all things in common. And sold their possessions and goods and, divided, divided them among all, as anyone had need. So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people."
And II Corinthians 8:13-15: "For not that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack, ”that there may be equality. As it is written, 'he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.'" Thus, unlike capitalism, which encourages human greed and the hording of wealth, the new Covenant is all about giving, sharing and equality of wealth.
"Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 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 1:9-11."
"Come now you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire James 5:1-3."
See also Jesus teaching about the rich man and poor Lazarus Luke 16:19-31. Jesus and the New Testament are all about giving, rather than receiving and sharing, rather than hording wealth. A wise nation guarantees a living wage to minimize poverty, universal healthcare and affordable quality food for everyone within its borders; for among moral and other reasons, because disease is contagious and healthy people are happier, more productive and less prone to violent revolt.
And a wise nation discourages the accumulation of excess wealth. The greatness of a nation is measured in humility by how much is given to the poor and needy, rather than measured by its wealth and military might Ezekiel 16:49 and Psalm 20:7. See also how God will judge the nations in Matthew 25.
Regardless of how badly many in the modern world lie, both the Old and New Testaments clearly teach that both governments and individuals should help immigrants, the sick and the poor. Many places where the Bible says this can be found, please Link Here
The often-repeated Calvinistic capitalist mantra, "God helps those who help themselves," is not in the Bible. Rather, God helps those who cannot and do not know how to help themselves, who call on the name of Jesus and ask for his help: "At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow Philippians 2:10."
Jesus himself says, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" Luke 6:24. And in Acts 20:33-35 we find this from Paul: "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Acts 2:44-47 says the following: "Now all who believed were together and had all things in common. And sold their possessions and goods and, divided, divided them among all, as anyone had need. So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people."
And II Corinthians 8:13-15: "For not that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack, ”that there may be equality. As it is written, 'he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.'" Thus, unlike capitalism, which encourages human greed and the hording of wealth, the new Covenant is all about giving, sharing and equality of wealth.
"Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 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 1:9-11."
"Come now you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire James 5:1-3."
See also Jesus teaching about the rich man and poor Lazarus Luke 16:19-31. Jesus and the New Testament are all about giving, rather than receiving and sharing, rather than hording wealth. A wise nation guarantees a living wage to minimize poverty, universal healthcare and affordable quality food for everyone within its borders; for among moral and other reasons, because disease is contagious and healthy people are happier, more productive and less prone to violent revolt.
And a wise nation discourages the accumulation of excess wealth. The greatness of a nation is measured in humility by how much is given to the poor and needy, rather than measured by its wealth and military might Ezekiel 16:49 and Psalm 20:7. See also how God will judge the nations in Matthew 25.
Regardless of how badly many in the modern world lie, both the Old and New Testaments clearly teach that both governments and individuals should help immigrants, the sick and the poor. Many places where the Bible says this can be found, please Link Here
The often-repeated Calvinistic capitalist mantra, "God helps those who help themselves," is not in the Bible. Rather, God helps those who cannot and do not know how to help themselves, who call on the name of Jesus and ask for his help: "At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow Philippians 2:10."
