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Commentary on "Freedom From Addictions"
Day 7: Friday, March 11, 2011 - The Love of Money
Overview
Words and acts testify plainly what is in the heart. If vanity and pride, love of self and love of dress, fill the heart, the conversation will be upon the fashions, the dress, and the appearance, but not on Christ or the kingdom of heaven. If envious feelings dwell in the heart, they will be manifested in words and acts. Those who measure themselves by others, do as others do, and make no higher attainments, excusing themselves because of the faults and wrongs of others, are feeding on husks and will remain spiritual dwarfs as long as they gratify Satan by thus indulging their own unconsecrated feelings. Some dwell upon what they shall eat and drink, and wherewithal they shall be clothed. These thoughts flow out from the abundance of the heart, as though temporal things were the grand aim in life, the highest attainment. These persons forget the words of Christ: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." —Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 500.
Observations
Matthew 6:33, the text quoted at the end of this quote by Ellen G. White, is lifted out of a teaching by Jesus from Matthew 6:25-33.
Ellen White states that those whose conversations are on things other than Christ or the Kingdom of heaven reveal the hidden heart problem: that these persons are not seeking first the Kingdom of Christ and therefore not having a mind that rests on what it ought to rest.
Matthew 6 is intended to be a help for anxiety and worry. Jesus is making promises of love and care for the people of God. Instead of accurate thinking producing good behavior, the promises of God can help us to trust Him.
As previously stated, addictions are often an illegitimate way to meet a legitimate need. Addictions will always come with anxiety and depression, but only addressing the behavior will not produce a lasting, life changing result. Only Jesus can bring true healing.
Summary
- Addictions are an illegitimate way to meet a legitimate need.
- Addictions often are associated with anxiety and worry.
- In Matthew 6, Jesus promises to care for His people and we can trust Him.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised March 5, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 11
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 11
