Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "acquisition" refers to the act of obtaining or gaining possession of something, whether it be material wealth, land, wisdom, or spiritual blessings. The concept of acquisition is addressed in various ways throughout Scripture, often highlighting the importance of prioritizing spiritual over material gains.
Material AcquisitionThe Bible acknowledges the reality of acquiring material possessions but often warns against the dangers of prioritizing wealth over spiritual well-being. In the Old Testament, the acquisition of land and wealth is frequently mentioned, particularly in the context of God's promises to the patriarchs. For example, God promised Abraham, "I will give to you and your descendants after you the land of your sojourn—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God" (
Genesis 17:8).
However, the Scriptures also caution against the love of money and the pursuit of wealth for its own sake.
Proverbs 23:4-5 advises, "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky" . This reflects the biblical principle that material acquisition should not overshadow one's relationship with God.
Wisdom and KnowledgeThe acquisition of wisdom and knowledge is highly valued in the Bible.
Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding" . The pursuit of wisdom is seen as a noble endeavor, one that leads to a deeper understanding of God's will and a more righteous life.
King Solomon is a prime example of someone who sought wisdom above all else. When God offered to grant him anything he desired, Solomon chose wisdom, which pleased God and resulted in him receiving not only wisdom but also wealth and honor (
1 Kings 3:10-13).
Spiritual AcquisitionThe New Testament shifts the focus from material acquisition to spiritual acquisition. Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is of incomparable value, worth more than any earthly possession. In
Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus shares parables about the kingdom of heaven being like treasure hidden in a field or a pearl of great price, emphasizing the importance of acquiring spiritual riches.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of spiritual acquisition in terms of gaining Christ and the righteousness that comes through faith. In
Philippians 3:8-9, he writes, "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him" .
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on acquisition encourages believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (
Matthew 6:33), understanding that true and lasting acquisition is found in a relationship with God and the pursuit of His wisdom and righteousness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Something acquired or gained; as, learning is an acquisition.
2. (n.) The act or process of acquiring.
Greek
4047. peripoiesis -- preservation,acquisition... preservation,
acquisition. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: peripoiesis
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-poy'-ay-sis) Short Definition: obtaining
...5557. chrusos -- gold
... Cognate: 5557 (a noun) -- , used also as a symbol of ("acquisition"). See 5553 ().
Word Origin a prim. word Definition gold NASB Word Usage gold (9). gold....
4200. porismos -- a providing, a means of gain
... gain. From a derivative of poros (a way, ie Means); furnishing (procuring), ie
(by implication) money-getting (acquisition) -- gain. (porismon) -- 1 Occurrence....
2819. kleros -- a lot
... bits of wood, etc., for the purpose; a die (for drawing chances); by implication,
a portion (as if so secured); by extension, anacquisition (especially a...
Strong's Hebrew
7075. qinyan -- something gotten or acquired,acquisition... 7074, 7075. qinyan. 7076 . something gotten or acquired,
acquisition.
Transliteration: qinyan Phonetic Spelling: (kin-yawn') Short Definition: goods.
...4943. mesheq --acquisition, possession
... 4942, 4943. mesheq. 4944 .acquisition, possession. Transliteration: mesheq
Phonetic Spelling: (meh'-shek) Short Definition: heir....
4512. minleh -- perhaps gain,acquisition
... 4511, 4512. minleh. 4513 . perhaps gain,acquisition. Transliteration:
minleh Phonetic Spelling: (min-leh') Short Definition: grain....
4901. meshek -- a drawing, drawing up, a trail
... 4900, 4901. meshek. 4902 . a drawing, drawing up, a trail. Transliteration:
meshek Phonetic Spelling: (meh'shek) Short Definition:acquisition....
7069. qanah -- to get, acquire
... NASB Word Usage acquire (6), acquired (1), acquires (2), bought (20), buy (23),
buyer (4), buying (2), buys (1), formed (1), gainacquisition (1), gained (1...
4735. miqneh -- cattle
... From qanah; something bought, ie Property, but only livestock; abstractly,acquisition
-- cattle, flock, herd, possession, purchase, substance....
6467. poal -- doing, deed, work
... Word Origin from paal Definition doing, deed, work NASB Word Usageacquisition
(1), act (1), activity (1), conduct (2), deeds (4), doings (1), something (1...
4736. miqnah -- a purchase
... Feminine of miqneh; properly, a buying, ieAcquisition; concretely, a piece of property
(land or living); also the sum paid -- (he that is) bought, possession...
Library
The Gains of the Faithful Steward
... Considering how much of your lives, especially as regards men of business, is taken
up with money, itsacquisition, its retention, its distribution, there are...
Whether Other Creatures Concur in that Last End?
... end "by which"; viz. the thing itself in which is found the aspect of good,
and the use oracquisition of that thing. Thus we say...
Whether the Sensitive Appetite is Divided into the Irascible and...
... In order to make this clear, we must observe that in natural corruptible things
there is needed an inclination not only to theacquisition of what is suitable...
Whether it be Unlawful to Practice the Observances of the Magic...
... as to the genus of the deed, for they consist in certain fasts and prayers to God;
moreover, they are directed to a good end, namely, theacquisition of science...
On the Priestly Office of Christ
... of both. For the act of saving, so far as it is ascribed to Christ, denotes
theacquisition and communication of salvation. But...
Of the Chief Good and virtue, and or Knowledge and Righteousness.
... and lie on the ground, since they die with the body, which is earth; for they do
not tend to procure life for man, but either to theacquisition or increase of...
Whether Martyrdom is an Act of virtue?
... Wherefore just as in the case of baptized children the merit of Christ is conducive
to theacquisition of glory through the baptismal grace, so in those who...
Whether Covetousness is Opposed to Liberality?
... I answer that, Covetousness denotes immoderation with regard to riches in two ways.
First, immediately in respect of theacquisition and keeping of riches....
Whether God is the Final Cause of all Things?
... are both agent and patient at the same time: these are imperfect agents, and to
these it belongs to intend, even while acting, theacquisition of something....
Whether the Orders Will Outlast the Day of Judgment?
... Now it is manifest that the knowledge of a conclusion depends on all the preceding
middle terms not only in the newacquisition of knowledge, but also as...
Thesaurus
Acquisition (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Something acquired or gained; as, learning is
an
acquisition.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Acquisition (2 Occurrences).
...Getting (151 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Get. 2. (n.) The act of obtaining or acquiring;acquisition.
3. (n.) That which is got or obtained; gain; profit. Int....
Get (2204 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To betake; to remove; -- in a reflexive use. 11. (vi) To makeacquisition;
to gain; to profit; to receive accessions; to be increased. 12....
Purchase (25 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) Theacquisition of title to, or properly in, anything for a price;
buying for money or its equivalent. 13. (vt) That which...
Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... NEW TESTAMENT TERMS 1. Instruction 2.Acquisition 3. Presentation 4. Elucidation
5. Exposition 6. Authority 7. Care 8. Supervision III....
Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... NEW TESTAMENT TERMS 1. Instruction 2.Acquisition 3. Presentation 4. Elucidation
5. Exposition 6. Authority 7. Care 8. Supervision III....
Teach (172 Occurrences)
... NEW TESTAMENT TERMS 1. Instruction 2.Acquisition 3. Presentation 4. Elucidation
5. Exposition 6. Authority 7. Care 8. Supervision III....
Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... blessing, esp. one received by gift or without purchase; a benefaction. 4.
(n.) Possession; ownership;acquisition. 5. (n.) Transmission...
Acquit (11 Occurrences)
Quality (14 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An acquired trait; accomplishment;acquisition. 5. (n.) Superior birth or
station; high rank; elevated character. Multi-Version Concordance...
Resources
What does the Bible say about greed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some modern forms of idolatry? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be God-centered? | GotQuestions.orgAcquisition: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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