Which New Testament verses echo the message of Jeremiah 9:23? Jeremiah 9:23 — Setting the Tone “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man boast in his strength, nor the rich man boast in his riches.” How Jesus Recast the Warning • Luke 12:15 — “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” • Luke 18:14 — “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” • Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Paul’s Letters: Boasting Re-directed • 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 — “So that no one may boast in His presence… ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’” • 2 Corinthians 10:17 — “But, ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’” • Galatians 6:14 — “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” • Philippians 3:3-9 — “We… glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh… I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” • Romans 3:27 — “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded.” James and Peter: Humility over Self-Reliance • James 1:9-10 — “The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. But the one who is rich should exult in his low position.” • James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” • 1 Peter 5:5 — “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” Pastoral Counsel on Wealth and Power • 1 Timothy 6:17 — “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God.” • Revelation 3:17 — “You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Threaded Truths to Carry Forward • Earthly intellect, muscle, and money are fleeting. • True worth is found in knowing and glorifying the Lord. • Any grounds for boasting that do not center on Christ are empty. |
    |