Introductory Thoughts
The world would have us believe that riches belong to those of greatest sophistication while poverty tends to induce violence. However, the truth testifies otherwise. In Micah 6:12, the Bible speaks of a time when the rich were “full of violence.” In like manner, Amos spoke of those who would “store up violence and robbery in their palaces” (Amos 3:10). Asaph spoke of “the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3) and that “violence covereth them as a garment” (Psalm 73:6). Riches do not remove a man’s desire for violence. In fact, riches often promote a man’s hunger for it. Many have suggested that poverty lies at the root of much of the violence in the world; however, the scriptures teach otherwise.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Hezekiah had shown the Babylonians all his treasures (Isaiah 39:1-7). Later when king Nebuchadnezzar had a desire to gain more power, land, and riches, he used violence to take what he wanted (Daniel 5:18-19; 2 Chronicles 36:16-20).
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(For everyone): What are some ways in which the rich are more susceptible to violence in our day? What are some events where riches give men greater access to violence?
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Do you know of anyone who seems to get worked up in the presence of violence? What about you? Do you find yourself frequently paying to see or take part in violence?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to keep you from violence.
- Ask God for wisdom to see the baseness of violence.
Song
LET NOT MY LIFE IN SIN BE PASSED
