Playlist:

playlist Go to the Wealth, Attitude Toward (topic) playlist

The Rich Young Ruler and the Needle's Eye

'Ready Answer' by Mike Ford

In the rich young ruler, we see a respectful and eager young man who leaves Christ and goes away sorrowful. The Christian walk is particularly hard for the wealthy.


Parable of the Rich Fool

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Even if we have everything we could ever want or need, when we die, our goods will do nothing for us. Because of wealth, the fool believes he has no need of God.


Parable of the Treasure

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Jesus' Parable of the Treasure in Matthew 6:19-21 is designed to get us to evaluate the relative values of material wealth and 'treasures in heaven.'


Gambling: A Question of Motive

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The addiction of gambling comes from the lure of effortless profit and the way of get, motivated by covetousness, which militates against contentment.


Spiritual Satisfaction

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

The Parable of the Rich Fool illustrates that, when one has all the material possessions he could want, he may still not be rich toward God.


How to Become Rich

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

God does not measure prosperity by the ownership of physical possessions but with the depth of a person's relationship with Him.


Are All Forms of Gambling or Games of Chance Sin?

Bible Questions & Answers

Any activity that is based upon covetousness is sin. A Christian should not desire to increase his own wealth by depriving someone else.


A Brief Overview of Biblical Prosperity

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur asks God to cushion him from the extremes of poverty or excessive wealth, allowing himself to live a balanced life of contentment.


Does God Want You to be Rich?

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Laodiceans think of themselves as rich, while God sees them as poor. But Smyrnans see themselves as poor, yet God says they are rich! What are true riches?


Be Happy (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

God has made it possible through His Spirit for us to be optimistic and happy even in a world that seems to be crumbling around us.


Prosperity's Consequences

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Prosperity is not always an emblem of God's approval. God will not prosper us if it would cause spiritual damage, insulating us from seeking His kingdom.


Money, Control and Sacrifice (2015)

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the important things in life, money is powerless. Wealth cannot buy forgiveness, eternal life, or God's Spirit. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twelve)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Corruption in the courts is a fact of life. We should not be surprised by this curse, realizing that God is aware and is allowing it for a purpose.


Money, Control, and Sacrifice

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Wealth will certainly damage our character if we permit it to control us. Riches cannot buy forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, or eternal life.


An Unbalanced Mind

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The spending of money in an extremely unbalanced and selfish way is part of human nature. In our culture, we are becoming absorbed in extremism.


The Tenth Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Everyone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.


Another Look at the Prosperity Gospel

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

Prosperity gospel preachers twist verses out of context to convince people that God will give them anything. They fail to mention that God does not give His benefits to just anyone.


Stuff

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Everybody has the carnal habit of accumulating stuff, cluttering up both our physical surroundings, as well as the inner chambers of our minds.


The Good Teacher

Sermonette by Levi W. Graham

If the young rich man was truly aware of the sovereignty of the 'good teacher' he would have responded to His request, not gone away sorrowful.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Seven): Contentment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God desires far more for us than mere satisfaction: He wants to give us real contentment, a state that comes only through a relationship with Him.


The Quest for Permanence

Sermonette by David F. Maas

Fasting brings our heart into alignment with God. The very best offering we can present is a humble and contrite heart, put on the fast track through fasting.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Five): Comparisons

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon provides these comparisons to indicate the choices we should make to live better lives in alignment with God, even in an 'nder the sun' world.


Money Is Power

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If we are untrustworthy with a paltry sum of money, we will be untrustworthy with the vast resources of God's creative power.


Maintaining Good Health (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the Bible, eating can be a symbol of fornication. Like Jacob and Christ, we must learn to curb our appetites, learning to distinguish holy from profane.


Poor in Spirit (1997)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Being poor in spirit is a foundational spiritual state for qualifying for God's Kingdom. Poor in spirit describes being acutely aware of one's dependency.


The Laborers: Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because God is completely just, we have an obligation to be content with what He has given us, to allow Him to use us for whatever purpose He desires.


The Eighth Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The eighth commandment seems so simple: You shall not steal. Yet, it seems that just about everyone on earth has his hand in someone else's pocket!


What Does God Really Want? (Part 5)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

What God really wants is for us to see things from His point of view, making the right choices, striving to build character, developing into His image.


The Seven Laws of Success

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

WHY are only the very few—women as well as men—successful in life? Just what is success? Here is the surprising answer to life's most difficult problem.


The Consequences of Affluence

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

'Affluenza' describes the bloated insensitivity caused by trying to keep up with the Joneses, the stress caused by doggedly pursuing the American Dream.


The Enduring Results of Compromise

'Ready Answer' by Martin G. Collins

Compromise usually begins small and can grow to encompass once strongly held beliefs. The story of Solomon 'minor' sins illustrates how this process works.


Is God's Inspiration of the Bible Imperfect?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

When properly evaluated, there are no discrepancies in scripture; God is not the author of confusion. God does not enlighten us until we are mature enough.


The Christian and the World (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Anxious care and foreboding are debilitating and faith-destroying. Meditating on what God has already done strengthens our faith and trust in God.


Investing in Eternal Life

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

We are commissioned to be generous in good works, whether it consists of money, time, or talent. Conduct now lays up treasure for the future.


Are You Zealous? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Laodiceans are enthusiastic about being rich, becoming wealthy, and needing nothing. Life is good. They are content. They are zealous for the wrong things.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

If church members are to grow in grace and knowledge and be zealous in producing fruit to God's glory, they need to have their priorities in the right place.


The Christian and the World (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The prince of the power of the air is responsible for influencing the zeitgeist (dominant mindset of the time), pulling us away from God and His law.


Endure as a Good Soldier

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In God's plan, the development of uncompromising character requires struggle and sacrifice. Our victory requires continual drill, tests and development of discipline.


The Commandments (Part Nineteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus taught that all outward sin stems from inner inordinate desire. What we desire or lust after automatically becomes our idol.


The Commandments (Part Seventeen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Wealth accumulated by honest work and diligence will be blessed, but hastily acquired by any kind of theft or dishonesty will be cursed.


Created to Do God's Will and Work

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God requires us to work and not deliberately seek welfare or food stamps, but He also does not want us to obsess on acquiring riches.


Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must lay aside every weight, accept God's chastening, receive encouragement from those who have gone before, and get back into the spiritual race.


Values and Conversion

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Repentance involves incorporating God's values, alien to our human nature—ones that will unify us with God and with others who accept His value system.


Spiritual Food Satisfies

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

Those who view religion as a life of gloom and deprivation are too short-sighted to realize that the world's entertainments do not satisfy the deepest need.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seventeen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Wisdom can be defined as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to the right measure. Wisdom is not given as a whole, but incrementally.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Two): Works

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God works all the time. In fact, it is the first thing we see God doing in His Book. We must follow His example to become skilled in living as He does.


Parable of the Great Supper

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In the Parable of the Great Supper, Jesus exposes and corrects the ignorance of those who, in their pride, misjudge their true moral condition.


Laodiceanism

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our love for beauty must be coupled with love for righteousness and holiness. Our relationship with Christ must take central place in our lives, displacing all else.


God's Rest (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Coveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.


Tithing: 'Try Me Now!' (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Tithing requires faith and trust in God, who provides our ability to acquire wealth. Each member must make his own decision. Tithing is based on increase.


Impediments to Sanctification

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Any materialistic goal will decay and deteriorate, having a limited lifetime. Only spiritual treasures last forever. God demands undivided loyalty.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Nine): Wisdom as a Defense

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The type of wisdom Ecclesiastes teaches is not of the purely philosophical variety, but is a spiritual sagacity combined with practical skill in living.


The Christian and the World (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Clear vision lights the way spiritually. If the eye of the heart is aimed at spiritual treasure and the glory of God, it will remain singly focused.