After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
(1 Timothy 6:7-8 NLT)
Society has seemed to accept the ideal of being rich is good and desirable for the purpose of driving people’s ambitions and our economy but it doesn’t talk about the costs involved on the way there nor the rewards once obtained.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
(1 Timothy 6:9-10 NLT)
Some claw their way to the top, while others are born rich or come into an inheritance but once accustomed to the life style, if they are not careful, they get a “me first” attitude. For a period of about three years I worked as a professional home theatre installer. Most of my client base had more money than could be imagined. The special rooms that would be made to entertain were astounding and the display of money and power was evident from the cars that were parked in the multi-car, heated garages, to furnishings and paintings hanging on the walls. You would have thought someone with that much money would loosen up a little but they were some of the tightest people, in regards to money, I have ever met. The general feel was that they had to protect what was theirs and I am sure there were people in their lives who were present because of their worth because that is the foundation they built upon. It should also be said a select few were generous and seemed to be able to handle their worth better than most but even they had grown accustomed to a life-style of being served instead of serving others, which we know is the currency of God’s kingdom.
In my youth I would day dream about things I wanted when I became an adult. As an adult learning to live within my means was and is sometimes still a difficult lesson but the older I get the more I realize I am okay with this life God has provided. It’s kind of like having just enough to eat, for if you eat too much you want to unbutton your jeans, lay back in your easy chair and watch TV but if you have an edge of hunger you will work and you will be alert to your surroundings. In the same way I don’t want to be like the rich man in Luke 12 that was going to tear down his barns to build bigger ones so he could sit back and take it easy. Without being aware he had totally locked God out of his life and assumed this life he had was somehow brought about because of his own good fortune but God called him a fool because he died that night and lost everything he had and as a reward received all that he had worked for in the life to come. You see, we are here for a purpose, God’s purpose and His Holy Spirit will lead us to that purpose no matter how long it takes, for God is patient. Some will realize what that purpose is while they are still young and others won’t understand it until they are old and God knows and understand our capacity to do the work He has for us. However, we cannot afford to chase this hunger away with riches because it leads us to God. Money is the root of all kinds of evil and if money is what we are serving then we have either willingly or unwillingly rejected God. This rich man in Luke 12 did not appear to have evil intentions, as a matter of fact I’m sure his plans would have provided work for many, allowing them to make a life for themselves either as slaves or free men. This is the attitude the world has today – let the rich become richer and those with less will benefit from it but God says these people are broke and without true riches. So young man, young woman, which path do you want to take in preparation for your adult life?
"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
(Luke 12:21 NLT)
"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
(Psalms 46:10-11 NLT)
Lord, in you I will trust. May my soul remain just hungry enough to make my feet follow where You lead. Please don’t let me look to what you have provided to save me but may this passion inside of me remain for You alone.
