How should we view material wealth in light of Job 1:3? Job 1:3 at a Glance “and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and he had a very large household. So Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.” (Job 1:3) Wealth Can Be a Genuine Blessing from God • Scripture presents Job’s prosperity as a factual gift from the Lord, not as ill-gotten gain. • Deuteronomy 8:17-18 reminds, “You may say in your heart, ‘The power and the strength of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth.” • Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.” Wealth Never Defines a Person’s Righteousness • Job’s standing with God is stated before his assets are listed (Job 1:1). His blameless character, not his herds, marks him. • God later calls Job “My servant” (Job 1:8). The title is tied to faithfulness, not net worth. • Luke 12:15: “Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Wealth Is Temporary and Entrusted • In a single day Job’s goods are gone (Job 1:13-17). The narrative shows how fragile earthly riches are. • Job 1:21: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” • 1 Timothy 6:7: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” Faithful Stewardship Is the Goal Consider these practical attitudes: 1. Gratitude – Acknowledge God as the source (Psalm 24:1). 2. Humility – Wealth is a tool, not a trophy (Proverbs 11:28). 3. Generosity – Share freely with those in need (1 Timothy 6:18-19). 4. Vigilance – Guard against idolatry of riches (Matthew 6:24). 5. Perspective – Lay up treasures in heaven, not just on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Practical Takeaways for Today • If God grants material prosperity, receive it with thanksgiving and open hands. • Evaluate success by faithfulness and character, not by bank statements. • Hold possessions loosely, ready to bless others and ready to endure seasons of loss. • Let every asset—home, savings, skills—be leveraged for God’s glory. |
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