Topical Encyclopedia
Affluence, in the context of the Bible, refers to the abundance of material wealth and resources. The Scriptures provide a nuanced perspective on wealth, emphasizing both the potential blessings and spiritual dangers associated with it.
Biblical Perspective on WealthThe Bible acknowledges that wealth can be a blessing from God. In the Old Testament, figures such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job were blessed with substantial wealth, which was often seen as a sign of God's favor. For instance,
Genesis 13:2 states, "Now Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold." Similarly,
Job 42:10 describes how "the LORD restored Job’s prosperity and doubled his former possessions."
However, the Bible also warns of the spiritual perils that accompany affluence. Wealth can lead to pride, self-reliance, and a false sense of security.
Proverbs 11:28 cautions, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." The New Testament echoes this sentiment, with Jesus teaching in
Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
The Dangers of AffluenceThe New Testament provides several warnings about the dangers of wealth. In the Parable of the Rich Fool (
Luke 12:16-21), Jesus illustrates the folly of hoarding wealth without being "rich toward God." The rich man's sudden death underscores the transient nature of earthly riches and the importance of spiritual preparedness.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the potential pitfalls of affluence in
1 Timothy 6:9-10: "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Here, Paul emphasizes that it is not wealth itself, but the love of money, that leads to spiritual ruin.
Wealth and ResponsibilityThe Bible teaches that with wealth comes responsibility. Believers are called to use their resources to help others and advance God's kingdom. In
1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul instructs the wealthy "to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are seen as caretakers of God's resources, accountable for how they use them.
The early church exemplified this principle of communal sharing and support.
Acts 4:34-35 describes how "there were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."
Eternal PerspectiveUltimately, the Bible encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective on wealth. Jesus advises in
Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
In summary, while affluence can be a sign of God's blessing, it also carries significant spiritual responsibilities and risks. Believers are called to use their wealth wisely, prioritize their relationship with God, and focus on eternal treasures.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) An abundant wealth or supply, as of thought, words, feelings, etc.; profusion; property
Library
"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing...
... And therefore, though we sow in tears, yet let us mingle hope therewith, and the
harvest shall be joy, and the plenty,affluence of peace in the Holy Ghost....
Letter cxxvi. (AD 411. )
... Africa, our Pinianus might be ordained (I do not say a presbyter, but) a bishop,
he would be still in deep poverty compared with his formeraffluence, even if...
Introductory Notice to the Homily Known as the Second Epistle of...
... May they not stimulate American scholarship and Americanaffluence to fresh enterprises
of the same character for the advancement of learning, and the glory of...
Prefatory Notice.
... presented. And even to others of moreaffluence and leisure, this manual
may serve to commend the author's works in their entireness....
A Memorial Sketch by W. Robertson Nicoll
... He learned to linger beside the ploughed field, and revel in theaffluence of colour
and shade which were to be seen in the newly-turned furrows, and to gaze...
Human Characters Determined Only by Divine Decision.
... vices. Bacchus and Venus had there their temples and their votaries; and
luxury, the child ofaffluence, led to vice generally....
The Domestic Relation.
... Marriages are too often contracted for the comforts of a home, or foraffluence,
or for elevation in society, or, worst of all, for the gratification of...
Distinguishing Grace
... Some there are of God's children who were once inaffluence but have been suddenly
plunged into the lowest depths of penury; they knew what it was to be...
The Immutability of Christ
... year? How many of you who commenced inaffluence, have by the panic, which
has shaken nations, been reduced almost to poverty? How...
Treating of the Same.
... is in the inmost depth and bottom of the Soul, where it keeps its Throne, and
communicates it self with incredible, intimate and deliciousaffluence: Nay, some...
Thesaurus
Affluence (1 Occurrence)... property. Multi-Version Concordance
Affluence (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy
33:19 They shall call the peoples to the mountain. There
...Afford (12 Occurrences)
Opulence (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Wealth; riches;affluence. Multi-Version
Concordance Opulence (1 Occurrence). Revelation 18:19 And...
Live (3203 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To pass one's time; to pass life or time in a certain manner, as to habits,
conduct, or circumstances; as, to live in ease oraffluence; to live...
Leg (24 Occurrences)
... and American) renders: "Strip off the train (shobhel), uncover the leg," the idea
being that the gentle maid, who has been brought up inaffluence and luxury...
Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which are objects of
human desire; esp., abundance of worldly estate;affluence; opulence; riches....
Riches (118 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) That which makes one rich; an abundance of land,
goods, money, or other property; wealth; opulence;affluence....
Puteoli (1 Occurrence)
... measure 160 and 126 yards across the space enclosed by the outer facade and 75 and
45 yards within the arena, bear testimony to the formeraffluence of Puteoli...
Afflicts (1 Occurrence)
Demonology
... Of thisaffluence of morbid fancy there is no hint in the New Testament. A careful
analysis of the instances will show the importance of this fact....
Resources
What is Buddhism and what do Buddhists believe? | GotQuestions.orgAffluence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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