The Year of PWI – Wealth

Ministering: Pastor I.S James

Topic: 2016 The Year of PWI – Wealth

Text: Dan. 2:48

What is (True) Wealth?

Dan.2:48 -Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

• … gave him many great gifts – WEALTH!

What does wealth mean? Wealth means an abundance of Resources, Possessions and Money etc.

• Remember how God ‘kick-started’ the birth of a New Nation (Israel) with Wealth! – Ex.3:22; 11:3

Ex.3:21-22 – “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbour, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the

Egyptians.”

• He’s also the only One with the power to get wealth!

o   Deut. 8:18 – And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…

The proper definition of wealth is difficult?

First, 2 Main problems in properly Defining Wealth!

• A Moral & Ethical Challenge.

(1) What constitutes wealth? What is wealth to one may not be necessarily Wealth to another!

(2) When is how much, ENOUGH? E.g. Solomon (2Chron.9:13-27) & the Revolt that followed:

2Chron.10:4 –Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.

• From the above, being Wealthy is more of a Process or a Goal. Not a destination! Because, at what point is a person considered wealthy?

SOME NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF WEALTH

(1) The Motive behind People’s Desire for wealth – often seen as selfish, GREEDY!

(2) The MEANS by which some become Wealthy!

(3) The Power of wealth to Corrupt, Distort character.

(4) Tendency of using Wealth as a measure for Spirituality, Character & Success in life.

Therefore, people who seek to be Wealthy are considered Materialistic!

Prosperity Vs Materialism

Materialism is the endless accumulation of things out of greed & selfishness. Prosperity is a Bible word (Ps.1:1-3). God has no problem with people having things; He’s only against people controlled by things that they (supposedly) own.

Matt.6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”