Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5476 property, nature of
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5476 property, nature of

5476 property, nature of

Possessions are a gift from God to be used for his glory, for human pleasure and in benefiting others.

Possessions are a cause for thanksgiving

Ecc 5:19 See also Ge 39:2-4; Dt 8:18; 1Ch 29:12; 2Ch 31:21; Hos 2:8

Owning possessions is open to abuse

They can be coveted Ex 20:17 See also 1Ki 21:1-4; Jer 6:13; Mic 2:2; Lk 12:15; 1Co 7:29-31

They can cause deceit Ac 5:1-9

They can cause pride and forgetfulness Pr 30:9 See also 2Ki 20:13-17; Da 4:30; Da 5:20; Hos 13:6; Mt 19:24; Lk 12:13-21

Abuse of ownership leads to judgment Isa 3:16-24; Isa 5:8; Hab 2:6-9

Property is for benefiting others

It is to be used to help others Ac 2:44-45; Ac 4:32-35; Gal 6:6,10; Eph 4:28; 1Ti 6:17-18; Jas 2:15-16; 1Jn 3:17-18

It is to be used to assist strangers Lev 25:35; Nu 35:15; Dt 10:19; Mt 5:42

Property provides no lasting satisfaction

Ecc 2:26 See also Job 27:16-17; Ps 39:6; Ecc 2:21; Eze 28:4-7; Hag 1:6; Mt 6:19-21; Lk 12:20-21; Jas 5:3

Laws governing the inheritance of property

Nu 27:3-11; Dt 21:15-17; Eze 46:16-18

Godly men of property

Ge 13:2 Abraham; Ge 26:14 Isaac Jacob: Ge 30:43; Ge 32:5; Ge 36:7
2Sa 19:32 Barzillai; 1Ch 29:28 David Solomon: 2Ch 1:15; 2Ch 9:22
2Ch 32:27-29 Hezekiah; Job 1:3 Job; Mt 27:57 Joseph of Arimathea; Ac 4:36-37 Barnabas

See also

5556stewardship
5703inheritance
5839dissatisfaction
5960success
6133coveting
6145deceit
8260generosity
8434giving
8701affluence
8763forgetting
8802pride
8808riches