— Beyond Possession: The Theology of Wealth and Desire
📖 Summary
Owning wealth is not sinful,
but worshiping what wealth represents is.
Luxury, comfort, or beauty can be blessings—
until they become the source of identity and pride.
The issue is not what you have, but why you have it.
1️⃣ Introduction | “If God blesses abundance, what’s wrong with enjoying it?”
Modern Christianity often confuses blessing with possession.
We thank God for wealth, yet secretly use it to validate ourselves.
Scripture never condemns prosperity—but it exposes idolatry disguised as gratitude.
👉 The question isn’t, “Is it wrong to own much?”
It’s, “Am I still free if I lose it?”
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation | God Judges Motive, Not Ownership
📘 Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
📘 1 Timothy 6:9–10 (ESV)
“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation…
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
📘 Luke 12:15 (ESV)
“One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
📘 Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV)
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money.”
→ Wealth reveals the direction of worship, not the level of blessing.
3️⃣ Theological Insight | Ownership Is Stewardship, Not Status
📜 John MacArthur — Whose Money Is It, Anyway?
“God measures faithfulness by use, not by size.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — Reformation Study Bible (1 Timothy 6 Commentary)
“Wealth is a proving ground—it can sanctify or enslave.”
📜 John Piper — Money, Ministry, and the Magnificence of Christ
“We lose sight of Christ’s beauty when we fall in love with our possessions.”
📜 Tim Keller — Counterfeit Gods
“Luxury becomes idolatry when it validates your worth.”
→ Luxury is not sin; idolatry disguised as luxury is.
4️⃣ Misconceptions vs Biblical Truth
| Misconception | Cause | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| “Poverty equals holiness.” | Asceticism | God blesses both abundance and simplicity (Gen 13:2, Job 1:3) |
| “Rich means worldly.” | Dualism | Wealth tests the heart, not faith (Matt 6:21) |
| “Luxury is sin.” | Moralism | Motive defines morality (1 Tim 6:9) |
| “God dislikes prosperity.” | Mistrust | God delights in generous stewardship, not greed (Luke 12:15) |
5️⃣ Application | Four Questions for Holy Consumption
1️⃣ Why? — Motive Check
Necessity or vanity? Gratitude or comparison?
2️⃣ How Much? — Ratio Check
Does your giving grow with your spending?
3️⃣ How Do You Feel? — Heart Check
Could you lose it and still praise God?
4️⃣ What Comes From It? — Fruit Check
Does your wealth bless others or burden you?
6️⃣ Conclusion | True Freedom Is Freedom from Possession
God doesn’t forbid enjoying wealth—He forbids depending on it.
Luxury itself is neutral; its lordship over the heart determines sin.
“Enjoying blessings is grace.
Needing them for peace is idolatry.” — Revito
Faith. Work. Renewal. — Revito
📧 revito247@gmail.com
🌐 www.revito.co.kr
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