INTRODUCTION

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 6:12For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
See All..., 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 3:10For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
See All...). Asaph spoke of “the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
See All...) and that “violence covereth them as a garment” (Psalm 73:6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
See All...). 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

• (For children): Hezekiah had shown the Babylonians all his treasures (Isaiah 39:1-7 [1] At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. [2] And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. [3] Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon. [4] Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. [5] Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: [6] Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. [7] And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
  See All...). 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 [18] O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: [19] And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
  See All...; 2 Chronicles 36:16-20 [16] But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. [17] Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. [18] And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. [19] And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. [20] And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
  See All...).
• (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?
• 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 NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to keep you from violence.
• Ask God for wisdom to see the baseness of violence.

HYMN

LET NOT MY LIFE IN SIN BE PASSED

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