From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”
[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.” As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.
In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]
There are many, many verses in the Bible that talk about money. There are no Scriptures that denounce having wealth. There are, in fact, many wonderful believers in the Bible who were wealthy.
Those who honestly study the Bible know that it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Money itself is not evil. However, obtaining riches the wrong way is addressed in the Bible.
There is a verse in the book of Jeremiah that uses a partridge to address obtaining riches the wrong way. The verse talks about a partridge sitting on her eggs, but then not hatching them. Understanding why the partridge would not hatch the eggs gives great insight about seeking riches the wrong way.
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family. They are a non-migratory Old World group. They are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Partridges are ground-nesting seed-eaters.
Why Would They Not Hatch Their Eggs?
In the lands of the Bible, the partridge would lay its eggs in a small hole in the sand, and then sit on them. However, they are very skittish, fearful birds. If they are startled, they will flee and abandon their eggs.
Those who seek to obtain riches the wrong way, by unethical means, such as using others, will lose those riches. Just as a partridge will leave her eggs and not return, so shall it be for those who get riches unethically.
Rich People
The Bible says that those who will be rich will fall into many temptations. There will be things that tempt them that those who do not have riches will not be tempted with. While that is a great caution, it is certainly not an admonition to not be wealthy.
The Bible also talks about instructing those who are rich not to be egotistical and not to trust in riches because those riches are always uncertain. Instead, like everyone else, they should trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Those believers who are rich should do good, be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share.
There are those who believe that money is evil and people who have wealth and prosperity need to give it all to those less fortunate. The Bible teaches that giving of one’s abundance is a choice each one of us makes, and it is not to be compulsory.
I realize there are a number of different positions on the topic of wealth. The point of this article is not to debate those, but rather to show from the Scriptures that obtaining riches the wrong way will have consequences. Perhaps we can all agree, and we really should, that God is the Giver and the Supplier.
Jeremiah 17:11
As the partridge sits on eggs, and hatches them not; so he that gets riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.I Timothy 6:9 and 10
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:17 and 18
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
II Corinthians 9:6-8
But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Deuteronomy 8:18
But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish his covenant which he swore unto your fathers, as it is this day.
Mike Verdicchio
2011
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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written. The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai. I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.
He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced. But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window
Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)
