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Ars Longa – Vita Brevis – Deus Eternus – Luke 16:1-13

/ Bob
The aphorism “Ars longa, vita brevis” literally translated is “Art long, life short.” It comes from a quote by Hypocrites and it means that our art and/or what we create and build will outlive us because life is short. In the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, Jesus deals with the same issue, but He has a solution. First, recognize the brevity of your life and it’s relationship to eternity. Second, prioritize accordingly.

The ways of the world are not the ways of God. The thoughts of humans are not the thoughts of God. It is foolish for us to think that we can shrewdly manipulate our way through this life without considering what follows that shrewdly manipulated life. It is the well-lived life that subjects itself to the Eternal God of the Universe and lives to please Him rather than satisfy our temporary desires.

“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.”
Matthew 6:19-21




This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, March 17, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Jesus Storyteller: Timeless Truths from His Parables. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at: https://gc2press.org/jesus-storyteller-luke-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


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Judgment of Affluence – James 5:1-6

/ Bob

Judgment of Affluence – James 5:1-6

According to 1 Timothy 6:10 the love of money is the root of all evil. James addresses that issue in the first six verses of chapter 5 . He comes down really hard, like Old Testament hard, like Old Testament prophet hard, like Haggai chapter 11 hard, on those who have money and use it to fatten their own coffers. with vivid imagery James paints a picture of wealth and how it can dissolve and of how it can burn your very soul.

In speaking these words of judgment to the rich he is also sharing a message to those have nots who would be listening. There is the obvious warning about the harmful effects of seeking worldly gain, but there is also a warning to watch out for those people.  Furthermore, as we will see next week, we need to keep wealth in perspective. 

For us as Americans there is a message concerning our wealth and affluence. We like our creature comforts like air conditioning, soft beds, comfortable and yet stylish clothes, and good food. In short, all of the things that make physical life pleasurable are things that we seek out. There is nothing wrong with having money. There is nothing wrong with spending money on things we need. However, there is something wrong when we spend money without considering what God wants us to do with our money.

In light of this passage we must all take a hard look at how we handle the abundance of what God has given us. May we always seek to honor Him with our finances.


This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is The Making of Authentic Faith. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at:
http://gc2press.org/the-making-of-authentic-faith-james…/ .
Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .
Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Twitter – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com
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