Avoid Materialism and Pride

Jehovah condemned Tyre for her pride, a characteristic that he despises. "Lofty eyes"  are listed first among the seven things that Jehovah hates.  (Proverbs 6:16-19)  Paul associated pride with Satan the Devil, and Ezekiel's description of proud Tyre has elements that describe Satan himself.  (Ezekiel 28:13-15; 1 Timothy 3:6)  Why was Tyre proud?  Ezekiel , addressing Tyre says:  "Your heart began to be haughty because of your wealth."  (Ezekiel 28:5)  The city was dedicated to trade and the amassing of money.  Tyre's success in this made her unbearably haughty. Through Ezekiel, Jehovah said to "the leader of Tyre": "Your heart has become haughty, and you keep saying, 'I am a god.  In the seat of god I have seated myself.' " -Ezekiel 28:2.

Nations can succumb to pride and a wrong  view of wealth-and so can individuals.  Jesus gave a parable that showed how subtle this snare can be.  he spoke of a rich man whose fields produced very well. Delighted, the man planned to build a larger storehouses for his produce and happily looked forward to a long life of comfort. But this did not happen.  God said to him:  "Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your soul from you.  Who, then, is  to have the things you stored up?"  Yes, the man died, and his wealth availed him nothing. -Luke 12:16-20.

Jesus concluded the parable, saying:  "So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God."  (Luke 12:21)  Being wealthy was not wrong in itself, and having a good harvest was no sin.  The man's error lay in his making these the main things in his life.  His whole confidence was in his riches.  When looking to the future, he did not take Jehovah into account.  

James very strongly made the same point.  He said:  "Come, now, you who say:  'Today or tomorrow we will journey to this city and will spend a year there, and we will engage in business and make profits,' whereas you do not know what your life will be tomorrow.  For you are a mist appearing for  little while and then disappearing.  Instead, you ought to say:  'If Jehovah  wills, we shall  live and also do this or that.' " (James 4:13-15)  Then, James showed the relationship between wealth and pride when he continued, saying:  "You take pride in your self-assuming brags. All such taking of pride is wicked." -James 4:16.  

Next time:  Conclusion of Avoid Materialism and Pride

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000