10. Whoever loves money never
has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless.
11. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit
are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
12. The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but
the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.
13. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm
of its owner,
14. or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son
there is nothing left for him.
15. Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs.
He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.
19. "Do not store up
for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where
thieves break in and steal.
20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust
do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. If anyone teaches false
doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus
Christ and to godly teaching,
4. he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest
in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife,
malicious talk, evil suspicions
5. and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed
of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out
of it.
8. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into
many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with
many griefs.
17. Command those who are
rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in
wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly
provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous
and willing to share.
19. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation
for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly
life.