One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another man considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches. (Proverbs 13:7)
So, one man can be rich (according to his surroundings) and consider himself poor, yet he can have great (spiritual) riches.
There is also so many spiritual poor people considering (and craving to be) rich, yet they have nothing spiritual.
The concept of being rich and poor is very relative.
Hey Moises,
I read your initial Post at the top. The part about Covetousness interested Me, because essentially that's the Sin and motivation behind all other Sins. Covetousness is a form of greed and often leads to other grievous things: Murder, Adultery, Theft, Lying, putting too much emphasis & time attempting to satisfy the desires(Greek-Epithumia) of the Flesh. Hence the Love of Money being the root of all Evil or Injurious Things. This Love of Money has it's basis in Coveting.
Of course the Greek Word Epithumia is a little tricky because it's not necessarily referring to wrong desires. Examples below!
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire(Greek-Epithumia) I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts(Greek-Epithumia): but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
epithumia
ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah
From G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after).
Same Greek word Epithumia is used for Jesus desiring to eat the Passover and Paul instructing Timothy to flee from Youthful lusts or Desires.
However Covetousness is often the motivating influence behind the desire to obtain Money. It's not the Money in itself, but other desires that are often fulfilled through the pursuit of Riches like Position, Power, Prominence and elevating ones Vanity. Just some examples that illustrate Covetousness.
I remember Ray being quoted as saying that an Atheist is capable of following the Ten Commandments, except One: Thy shall not Covet, thy Neighbors possessions, Wife, etc. That includes Coveting of any kind. Anyone can physically adhere to Nine of these Ten Commandments, but only God's Holy Spirit can remove the desire or lust of Coveting.
There is nothing righteous or spiritual in itself in being Poor, there are many a poor people who aren't spiritual and who Covet. However, often being Rich is an obstacle by way of the circumstances connected to being Rich towards obtaining Physical Riches, because the individual's Time and interest is consumed by His desire to get Rich, important, prominent, powerful and materially successful.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9 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.
1Ti 6:10 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.
SNARE: pagis
pag-ece'
From G4078; a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): - snare
EVIL: kakos
kak-os'
Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly REFERS TO EFFECTS), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious: - bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
ERRED OR SEDUCE: apoplanaō
ap-op-lan-ah'-o
From G575 and G4105; to lead astray (figuratively); passively to stray (from truth): - err, seduce.
1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world(AION), that they BE NOT HIGHMINDED, nor trust in UNCERTAIN RICHES, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal(AIONIAN) life.
HIGHMINDED: hupsēlophroneō
hoop-say-lo-fron-eh'-o
From a compound of G5308 and G5424; to be lofty in mind, THAT IS, ARROGANT: - be highminded.
CAPS FOR EMPHASIS ARE MINE.
Regarding Covetousness, read below !
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and COVETOUSNESS, WHICH IS IDOLATRY:
COVETOUSNESS: pleonexia
pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah
From G4123; avarice, that is, (by implication) fraudulency, EXTORTION: - covetous (-ness) practices, GREEDINESS.
Covetousness is a form of Idolatry, figuratively speaking.
IDOLATRY: eidōlolatreia
i-do-lol-at-ri'-ah
From G1497 and G2999; image worship (LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY): - idolatry.
Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, WHEN YE LIVED IN THEM.
CAPS FOR EMPHASIS ARE MINE.
Interesting Thread, Samson.