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By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on August 23, 2020
Topic: Silver and Gold
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, using the story of the man born lame begging at the gate of the temple, we noted two kinds of people, vis-Ã -vis, the temple of God: those who are outside and those who are inside.
We broadly described those who are outside the temple as, those who are not with Christ (<strong>Matthew 12:30</strong>); those who are not "hot" for Christ (<strong>Revelation 3:15-16</strong>); and those in whom the Holy Spirit is not resident (<strong>Romans 8:9, 14</strong>).
We were challenged to do a self-evaluation as to whether we are outside of Christ or in Him, as we asked some important questions:<ol>
<li> Are you among the crowd or are you a disciple?</li>
<li> Having been washed, have you gone back to your old ways?</li>
<li> Are you alienated from Christ—not partaking of the covenant of promise, that is eternal life?</li>
<li> Are you manifesting the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit?</li>
<li> Does your purpose in the house of God align with His purpose?</li>
<li> Is there a clear distinction between light and darkness in the way you live or are the lines blurred?</li>
<li>Where do you stand on the things of God? (<strong>Revelation 22:14-15</strong>)</li>
<li> For those in ministry, do you stand in the counsel of God?</li> </ol>
In conclusion, we looked at the Parable of the Ten Virgins and saw those who did not make it inside, so "<em>let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall</em>"
Scripture Text(s)
Acts 3:1-8
There are a lot of things to discuss, but we would take them in small portions before bringing them all together—like assembling ingredients for cooking. We have already seen what it means to be outside the temple v. inside the temple. Now we want to look at Peter’s statement: "<em>Silver and gold have I none …</em>" with a view to addressing some fundamental issues in Christendom.
The term "silver and gold" simply refers to money, wealth, riches, etc. In Christendom today, money has taken a very prime role—church buildings, assessment of who is truly a Christian, the major topic of discussion in many churches, the desire of many believers in Christ, etc. So let us look at what God says about "silver and gold".
Psalm 115:4; 135:15; Luke 16:1b, 13; Matthew 6:24; 19:16-24; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; Luke 12:15-21; Proverbs 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 8:18-20; 17:16-20; Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 49:6-13; Ecclesiastes 7:11-12; Proverbs 18:10-11; Psalm 62:10; Genesis 47:13-26; Ecclesiastes 10:19; Luke 16:11; Proverbs 16:16; 19:14; 22:1; Mark 12:41-44; 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 6-8; Proverbs 11:24-26; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ecclesiastes 9:14-16; 7:12; Mark 10:23-25; Luke 16:19-31
Conclusion
The Church of God—Christians—need a re-orientation in the way they address the issue of silver and gold. Your wealth is not in your bank account nor is it in your ownership of houses or businesses. Your wealth is where your heart is (<strong>Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-2; Luke 12:21, 15</strong>).
So, should we avoid silver and gold like a plague? No! What the Bible teaches is that we have contentment and not be covetous (<strong>Philippians 4:10-12</strong>)!
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