How should Ezekiel 7:21 influence our view on material possessions today? Setting the stage: Judah’s misplaced trust - In Ezekiel 7 God declares judgment on Judah for idolatry and violence. - Their silver and gold, once meant for temple worship, had become objects of pride and false security. Key verse: Ezekiel 7:21 “I will hand these things over as plunder to foreigners and as spoil to the wicked of the earth, and they will profane them.” Timeless truths about possessions • Earthly goods are temporary assets God can redistribute at will. (Haggai 2:8) • Wealth becomes a snare when it replaces dependence on the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:11-14) • God judges how we obtain and use resources; misuse invites loss and dishonor. (Proverbs 10:2) What Ezekiel 7:21 teaches us today 1. God owns it all. If He could hand Judah’s treasures “over as plunder,” He retains absolute control over ours. 2. Possessions are tools, never guarantors of safety. Judah’s money could not stop Babylon; neither can ours shield us from divine discipline. (Psalm 20:7) 3. Misused blessings can become instruments of shame. The very gold dedicated to worship was “profaned” when idols were fashioned from it. New-Testament echoes - Jesus: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20) - Paul: “Instruct those who are rich… to be rich in good works.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19) Practical applications • Inventory motives: Am I accumulating for God’s glory or personal prestige? • Hold assets with open hands: Budget, invest, give—all under God’s authority. • Guard against idolatry: Anything we would sin to obtain or despair to lose has become an idol. • Practice generous stewardship: Channel resources toward gospel work and the needy. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) • Cultivate contentment: Learn, like Paul, to be content in plenty or want. (Philippians 4:11-13) Checklist for heart examination ☐ Do I thank God daily for both possessions and the right to enjoy them? ☐ Could I surrender any item if God required it? ☐ Am I vigilant that my spending aligns with kingdom priorities? ☐ Is my giving sacrificial, regular, and cheerful? Closing challenge Ezekiel 7:21 reminds us that whatever is clutched selfishly can be stripped suddenly. Live as a steward, not an owner, leveraging every possession for the lasting honor of Christ. |
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