The Influence of Materialism
From the Adult Sabbath School
Bible study guide first and second Quarter of 2018
Lesson #1 December 30, 2017
Memory Text
“Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that
you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect to the will of God”
Romans 12:2, NKJV
Read for this Week’s study
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and
the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of
the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who
does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:16,17 KJV
If any one comes to Me and does not hate his father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he
cannot be My disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after
me, cannot be my disciple.28 For which of you, intending to build a tower,
sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to
finish it? 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first,
and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh
against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great
way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.33 So
likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot
be my disciple.
Luke 14; 26-33 KJV
10When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless
the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that
thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments , and his judgements,
and his status, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and
art full, and has built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And When thy herds
and thy flocks multiply, ant the silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all
that thou hast is multiplied; 14 then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget
the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the
house of bondage;
Deuteronomy 8:10-14 KJV
For the love of
money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have earned
from faith, and pierced themselves though with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit: for without me ye cab do nothing.
John 15:5
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
The Word of God tell His people not to “Be
conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2 NKJV), but the lure of
materialism, the inordinate desire for wealth and for what we think wealth can
bring, is powerful. Very few people, weather rich or poor, are beyond the reach
of materialism. This includes Christian as well.
Nothing is wrong with being rich, or even working hard to get
ahead in order to provide comfortably for yourself and your loved ones. But
when money, or the pursuit of money, becomes all-encompassing, we have fallen
into the devil’s trap and have, indeed, become “conformed to this world”.
The world conveys the Idea that the good life, the abundant life,
can be found only in money. But money is one mask that Satan hides behind in
order to secure our allegiance. Materialism is one Satan’s weapons of choice
against Christians. After all, who doesn’t like money and what money can bring
us in the here and now? Its greatest achievement is instant gratification, but
in the end it cannot answer our deepest needs.
