Worldly Wealth
How do we live in a world for of wealth, desires, and pride? We can’t escape money, but we don’t have to be slaves to desire for worldly wealth and pride. Over the next few weeks we’ll be learning about how we live in this world that is so dark, yet also God’s world and the object of his redeeming love.
The Israelites Dance Around the Golden Calf - Henri Paul Motte (1899)
The artwork above might seem like a strange choice; why highlight an Exodus story when we’re talking about “worldly wealth” in 1 John written almost 1200 years later? Yet this Old Testament event emboides one of the great faults of humanity, we are so easily led into self-indulgence and loving what gives us pleasure rather than what is true. More than that, it highlights that this temptation and failure happens within the community of God and not just “outside” the church.
Anchor Texts:
1 John 2:15-17 NIVUK - On not loving the world - Do not love - Bible Gateway
Exodus 32:1-8 NIVUK - The golden calf - When the people saw - Bible Gateway
Questions to Ponder:
There are two key meanings of world in the Bible, what are they? 1. _____________________________, 2. ________________________________
God is working to _______________ the first and to ____________________ the second.
What are some things we say we “love” - look at 1 John 2:10 and 2:15 for example - what different uses of the world “love” can you list?
What are some worldly things you desire the most? What would you say are the most important things in your life? Consider these things — do they overlap or are they opposed?
Why do you think we so powerfully desire things of “the flesh,” “the eyes,” and pride in possessions?
We need to live in the world of wealth and possessions - what advice would you give to someone so that they don’t become obsessed or controlled by these desires?
Answers: 1. God’s well-ordered creation, humanity’s organized rebellion. 2. restore, end
The Theme in Song:
One of my favourite bands is Kings Kaleidoscope. Their experimental and varied style always bring a fresh take to their arrangements of old hymns. This one is no exception! This is one of my favourite hymnss, balancing the beauty of a moment like a walk in the woods with the eternal expectetion of God’s glorious Kingdom.