Know thyself

Know thyself or destroy thyself with decay and degeneration of self and the society in which you live.
Socrates believed that to "know thyself" was the first step to true wisdom.
Immanuel Kant believed that to "know thyself" was an ethical commandment to comprehend our true own motives and heart, and to harmonize one's will with one's natural duty.
"Know thyself" is a philosophical maxim that has been used in a variety of religious and cultural contexts, including the Hindus or Buddhist teachings where things like a koan is a paradoxical story questioning, the from logical thought where an individual may enter a state of intuitive awareness.
Are the three 5th century BC Delphic maxims displayed at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi repeated in other philosophies and teachings? The Seven Sages of Greece were just men contemplating the same mysteries of life. The other two maxims include "Nothing in excess" and "Give a pledge and trouble is at hand"

Know Thyself

"Know thyself" (Greek: Γνῶθι σαυτόν, gnōthi sauton) is a philosophical maxim.

It was inscribed in stone upon the Temple of Apollo in the Greek precinct of Delphi. The other two inscriptions are "nothing too much" and "give a pledge and trouble is at hand"

Anyone studying sociology or even the psychology that drives society needs to know thyself to establish a frame of reference from which all things are observed.

If you can be tossed to and fro with every whim of doctrine your observations will not be reliable.

You cannot be a good man or woman, a father or mother, son or daughter, brother or sister, neighbor or friend unless you know yourself.

Those offices of family and society will still include self sacrifice but you will be able to include the natural governor of righteousness.

Without that tempered blend of justice and mercy the gifts, gratuities, and benefits bestowed will degenerate and destroy those you claim to love.

Sages and fools

"Know thyself" has been attributed to the Seven Sages of Greece, or to the god Apollo himself.

Socrates sees that for "parrhesia" to be in a positive form of true boldness and confidence, there must be a formation and moral fortitude through the importance to ‘know thyself’, and the truth about oneself. To embrace or speak the truth one is better equipped to know that truth if they are more generally devoid of any self-delusion which is often rooted in or on self-flattery or personal vanity.

Parrhesia, or what is thought to be "fearless speech" (i.e. speaking truth to power), risks becoming empty or dangerous dogma if the speaker has not overcome what the Greeks call amathia.

Without self-critique, parrhesia shifts from a courageous act for the common good into a reckless, narcissistic, or ideological assertion of one's own, potentially false, beliefs.

Other Greeks and Romans seem to historically agree that parrhesia without overcoming one's own amathia was nothing more than a tree of foolishness.

Perrhesia of Foucault

In the book "The Education of Children" by Plutarch (c.100 AD) the term "parrhesia" is used when one expresses oneself freely through a bold but ignorant arrogance. He sees this as being nothing but “sheer vocal noise” if by “putting confidence in bluster”. (See Discourse and Truth, Michel Foucault p.24).

Foucault was not endorsing all forms of "speaking truth to power" but was specifically critical of parrhesia that lacked educational foundation, often leading to detrimental, chaotic, or arrogant outcomes.

Michel Foucault defines parrhesia as "fearless speech" or the courageous, risky, and frank act of telling the truth to power. Critics argue his analysis is elitist. Clearly, his view is idealized, because he overlooks or avoids the practical amathia inherent in both the speaker and the audience in the modern democracy plagued by the blinding justification of legal charity and a social dependence upon public religion.

Critics again argue his framework struggles to reconcile the philosophical ideal of truth-telling with the messy, ignorant reality of political discourse and the irrationality of the masses who have both lost liberty and degenerate due to their growing apathy and appetite.

Lack of Mathesis"

This is what Plutarch calls a "lack of mathesis".

Again in Discourse and Truth, Foucault when considering the Plutarch's "lack of mathesis" that parrhesia becomes a negative form of free speech characterized by arrogant, ignorant "vocal noise". Foucault critiques this by contrasting it with informed, ethical speech, arguing that true, positive parrhesia requires moral fortitude and education, rather than just bluster.

Clement and Greek wisdom

Clement of Alexandria says in his Stromata that the Greeks derived this wisdom from the Hebrew scriptures, and in this connection cites numerous Bible passages to prove his point.

Ponting to the phrase "take heed to thyself", which is found in Exodus 10:28, Exodus 10:34:12; Deuteronomy 4:9.

Origen also claims that the Song of Songs, which contains the line: "If you do not know yourself, O fair one among women" (Songs 1:8, LXX).

The entire Bible is written to give men insight into the nature of man and his relationship with other men, women, their institutions and of course God himself.

Ecclesiastes 7:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Sun Tzu said Know the enemy and know yourself in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril.

Nothing too much

"Nothing too much" has been hotly debated at different times. It seems to be a call for humility, avoiding vices like gluttony, lust, and vanity or pride That puts self above others. It may be a call for conservatism.

Give a pledge and trouble is at hand

"Give a pledge and trouble is at hand" has also been debated as to its meaning by Diodorus, Plutarch, and Diogenes and many others. Some interpret this as to mean "Certainty brings ruin." We could also say the same thing by say, "Entitlements degenerate the Masses".

Diogenes interprets the third maxim to mean: "Trouble attends him who affirms anything in strong terms and confidently".

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Know Thyself verses

Many verse in scripture are said to echo the call to know thyself.

Some verses seem to include both the first and second maxims of the Greeks. Since all Christians knew and the Jews should have known not to swear nor give a pledge and the idea of virtue, charity and loving thy neighbor as our self seems to include all such maxims.

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

Haggai 1:5 ESV

"Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.

Psalm 139:23 ESV

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

Proverbs 26:12 ESV

"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 ESV

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Romans 12:3-8 ESV

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ...

Luke 6:42 ESV s

"How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Romans 8:29 ESV

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Psalm 4:4 ESV

"Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Colossians 3:10 ESV

"And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Proverbs 22:29 ESV Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV

"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Proverbs 28:11 ESV

"A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

Ezekiel 44:28 ESV

"This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV

"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

Daniel 4:1-37 ESV

"King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. ...

James 1:2 ESV

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Matthew 22:39 ESV

"And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 5:28 ESV

"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 ESV

"I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Proverbs 28:1-28 ESV

"The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. ...

2 Peter 1:1-21 ESV

"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ...

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Proverbs 28:15-16 ESV

"Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

Genesis 4:14 ESV

"Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

Daniel 2:24-3:30

"Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: ...

Jeremiah 4:5 ESV

"Declare in Judah, and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say, “Blow the trumpet through the land; cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble, and let us go into the fortified cities!’

Proverbs 28:21 ESV

"To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

Proverbs 23:7 ESV For he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

John 3:16 ESV

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ezekiel 45:13-46:24 ESV

"This is the offering that you shall make: one sixth of an ephah from each homer of wheat, and one sixth of an ephah from each homer of barley, and as the fixed portion of oil, measured in baths, one tenth of a bath from each cor (the cor, like the homer, contains ten baths). And one sheep from every flock of two hundred, from the watering places of Israel for grain offering, burnt offering, and peace offerings, to make atonement for them, declares the Lord God. All the people of the land shall be obliged to give this offering to the prince in Israel. It shall be the prince's duty to furnish the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the new moons, and the Sabbaths, all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel: he shall provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, to make atonement on behalf of the house of Israel. ...

Ezekiel 42:1-43:27 ESV

"Then he led me out into the outer court, toward the north, and he brought me to the chambers that were opposite the separate yard and opposite the building on the north. The length of the building whose door faced north was a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty cubits. Facing the twenty cubits that belonged to the inner court, and facing the pavement that belonged to the outer court, was gallery against gallery in three stories. And before the chambers was a passage inward, ten cubits wide and a hundred cubits long, and their doors were on the north. Now the upper chambers were narrower, for the galleries took more away from them than from the lower and middle chambers of the building. ...

Proverbs 28:17 ESV

"If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.

Job 21:18 ESV

"That they are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away?

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Matthew 22:[29] "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." To know thyself you must be willing to know your error.

Know Thyself (John 6:22-71)

The first principle for saying, “No” to people-pleasing is to know human nature. The second principle is to know your own identity. Jesus refused to be made an earthly king because he knew who he was (John 6:15).

Nothing To Excess verses

Ephesians 5:18 ESV And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Timothy 5:23 ESV (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)

Proverbs 20:1 ESV Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Hebrews 5:14 ESV But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV Abstain from every form of evil.

Philippians 4:5 ESV Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 5:22 ESV Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink,

Isaiah 5:11 ESV Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

Proverbs 23:21 ESV For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Proverbs 23:20-21 ESV
Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

1 Peter 4:3 ESV
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6:4 ESV
He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

1 Timothy 2:9 ESV
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,

Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Ephesians 5:16 ESV
Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Galatians 5:21 ESV
Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:16 ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Romans 13:13 ESV
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Romans 12:17 ESV
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Romans 12:9 ESV
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 1:26-27 ESV
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

John 3:16 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 2:1-11 ESV
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ...

Matthew 19:9 ESV
And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Matthew 11:19 ESV
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Matthew 6:13 ESV
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 5:28 ESV
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Isaiah 28:7 ESV
These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.

Proverbs 23:2 ESV
And put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.

Deuteronomy 14:1-21 ESV
“You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. “You shall not eat any abomination. These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ...

Exodus 21:3-6 ESV
If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.

Revelation 21:8 ESV
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 2:2 ESV
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Jude 1:10 ESV
But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Jude 1:8 ESV
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Jude 1:7 ESV
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Jude 1:3 ESV
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

3 John 1:11 ESV
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

2 John 1:11 ESV
For whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

1 John 3:12 ESV
We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

2 Peter 2:10 ESV
And especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,

2 Peter 1:4 ESV
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 4:4 ESV
With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

1 Peter 3:12 ESV
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:10 ESV
For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

1 Peter 3:9 ESV
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:3 ESV
If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV /
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

James 4:16 ESV
As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James 4:11 ESV
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

James 4:7 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:4 ESV
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 1:27 ESV
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:13 ESV
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:5 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:3 ESV
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 3:12 ESV
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

Titus 2:11-12 ESV
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Titus 2:4-5 ESV
And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 2:3 ESV
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

Titus 1:12 ESV
One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Titus 1:7 ESV
For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

Titus 1:5 ESV
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Titus 1:4 ESV
To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus 1:2 ESV
In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Timothy 3:8 ESV
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

1 Timothy 2:2 ESV
For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Timothy 1:10 ESV
The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV
But test everything; hold fast what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 ESV
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 ESV
But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Colossians 3:16 ESV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:5 ESV
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Colossians 2:16-17 ESV
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Philippians 4:8 ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:1-23 ESV
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ...

Philippians 3:19 ESV
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Helpful Not Helpful But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV
For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Give a pledge and trouble is at hand

James 5:12 ESV

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Luke 6:38 ESV

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Proverbs 17:18 ESV

One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

Numbers 30:2 ESV /

If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Exodus 22:26 ESV

If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down,

Colossians 2:8 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Matthew 10:33 ESV

But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Ezekiel 18:12 ESV

Oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination,

Acts 5:1-42 ESV

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ...

Ezekiel 18:16 ESV

Does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment,

Job 22:6 ESV

For you have exacted pledges of your brothers for nothing and stripped the naked of their clothing.

Job 24:3 ESV /

They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

Deuteronomy 24:17 ESV /

“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow's garment in pledge,

Deuteronomy 24:10 ESV

“When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge.

Deuteronomy 24:6 ESV /

“No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 22:26 ESV /

Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.

Ezekiel 33:15 ESV

If the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Ezekiel 18:7 ESV
Does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment,

Proverbs 20:16 ESV

Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

Proverbs 11:15 ESV

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Amos 2:8 ESV

They lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.

Job 24:9 ESV / 1

(There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.)

1 Samuel 17:18 ESV

Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.”

Genesis 38:20 ESV

When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her.

Galatians 6:6 ESV

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

Acts 20:35 ESV

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Proverbs 27:13 ESV

Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.

Revelation 1:1 ESV

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

2 Corinthians 8:12 ESV

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

John 18:37 ESV

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Matthew 5:37 ESV /

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Malachi 1:14 ESV

Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Haggai 1:5-8 ESV

Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.

Deuteronomy 24:10-11 ESV
“When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you make the loan shall bring the pledge out to you.

2 Corinthians 9:10 ESV

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Acts 2:44-45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Matthew 23:23 ESV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Matthew 6:21 ESV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Malachi 1:11 ESV
For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 36:8 ESV

Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.

Proverbs 11:24-25 ESV

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Deuteronomy 24:12-13 ESV

And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 ESV

“When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you make the loan shall bring the pledge out to you. And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the Lord your God.

Hebrews 13:16 ESV
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Matthew 25:35-40 ESV

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ...

Matthew 6:33-34 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:25 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Haggai 1:9-11 ESV
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”

Proverbs 28:27 ESV

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Proverbs 6:1-5 ESV

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

2 Kings 18:23 ESV

Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.

1 John 3:17 ESV
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

1 John 1:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

2 Corinthians 9:13 ESV

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

2 Corinthians 8:2-3 ESV

For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

Romans 12:13 ESV

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

John 4:51 ESV
As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.

Mark 12:41 ESV
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums.

Matthew 6:31 ESV
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

Matthew 6:26 ESV
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Malachi 3:11-12 ESV

I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:10 ESV

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Malachi 1:8-10 ESV

When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

Malachi 1:6-7 ESV /

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised.

Habakkuk 2:6 ESV
Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, “Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own— for how long?— and loads himself with pledges!”

Isaiah 32:8 ESV

But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.

Proverbs 20:25 ESV

It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows.

Proverbs 18:9 ESV

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Proverbs 6:1 ESV

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger,

Psalm 50:10 ESV
For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

Nehemiah 13:11-12 ESV
So I confronted the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses.

2 Peter 3:1-18 ESV

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, ...

1 Timothy 6:9 ESV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 5:12 ESV

And so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.

2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:5 ESV

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

2 Corinthians 8:20-21 ESV

We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 ESV

And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

2 Corinthians 8:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV /

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Romans 12:1-21 ESV /

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Acts 4:36 ESV

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,

Acts 4:34-35 ESV

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Luke 18:22-25 ESV

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 6:27 ESV

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 5:33 ESV

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’

Proverbs 28:22 ESV

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

Proverbs 22:9 ESV

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Psalm 89:34

I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.

Nehemiah 12:47
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.

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