Money, money, money… what a false sense of security the lies of this world can lure us into. We joined in conversation to debunk a few myths about wealth and seek God’s wisdom through the parable of the rich fool. Firstly, it’s important to note what is not true. Scripture teaches that money itself isn’t evil, but the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Our relationship with God and eternity with Him is what we are to hold at highest value, is that where your focus lies, or is it within the comfort of your material possessions? There is a whole prosperity gospel that (inaccurately) teaches true believers will be blessed financially. “Have you been dreaming of a yacht? Pray harder! God blesses those that He favors!” This is a dangerous distortion of truth. This is exactly how the enemy works, taking slivers of biblical truth and distorting them into earthly callings that tempt believers to stray. Yes, God will absolutely pour out His blessings onto His children, but you don’t get to decide what those blessings will look like. (spoiler: His are better anyway) Just because God’s blessings may not look like the wealth that modern-day civilization strives for, it doesn’t mean that we are called to live a life of poverty either. Just as we learned last week in the parable of the talents, God will distribute means as He sees fit for each one of us. Scripture calls us to both generosity and wise stewardship—not hoarding out of fear, but not neglecting responsibility either (Proverbs 21:5). The wealth that we accumulate is simply a tool that God allows us to use, it doesn’t provide any type of actual security. I have yet to see a medical diagnosis that turns on it’s heels and runs just because you wrote a check. What about when the stock market takes a plunge? Investments don’t quite pan out the way that earthly knowledge told you they would. Even then, God is still good, my eternity is still secure in Him.
As a man in the crowd approached Jesus with a legal grievance against his brother, we see Jesus quickly jump to the heart of the matter. There was a man who had a plentiful crop. “How will I store up my wealth so that I can be kept?” Jeesh, do you do that too? There is most definitely something to be said for financial responsibility and preparedness. But what we see this man doing was building up a massive barn for himself to hide away in his own excess, instead of recognizing God as the source and using his abundance with an eternal perspective. But just as he put the finishing touch on his treasure barn, God spoke up and called out the fool. That very evening he would lose his life. Then where do all the possessions go? He can’t take them into eternity with him. What had this fool stored up for himself in heaven? Being so fixated on the earthly abundance he had, this man neglected his relationship with his heavenly Father. He spent so much time obsessing over what he already had and fantasizing about how he was just going to relax and enjoy it, that he took no time to be aligned with God’s heart for the greater purpose in his life. Jesus’ warning is clear: the issue isn’t having wealth, it’s storing up treasure for yourself while being poor toward God.
Here is a nugget of wisdom I pray sticks with you this week: don’t mistake what is yours for what is God’s. Do you feel entitled to something earthly? According to worldly standards, you probably have every right to do so. After all, you went to college, you applied for the job, you called the realtor, you got yourself into this home and lifestyle. Or did you? God favors a hard working, but ultimately He allowed the opportunity for you to get an education. God opened doors to select you for the job that you’re placed in. God has placed you where you are for a purpose so that He could use you exactly there. Before you keep on giving yourself all the glory for a life well lived, check your heart in the matter. Honest reflection question: What areas of your life are you saying “my” too often? There is nothing wrong with owning earthly things, but as we ensure we are using them all to glorify God, make sure that your things are not owning you. Take inventory of your thoughts and actions, if you were to review your priorities and last month’s bank statements, does it all point to God as the first priority in your life? You worship what you put your time and resources into. Think about back in the years following Jesus death (and resurrection). Imagine you are thrown in front of a jury, being accused of worshiping, following and supporting the man that claimed to be the Son of God. Would your lifestyle, expenditures and investments be enough evidence for you to be found guilty of this charge? Or would they just find that you have a fast food drive-thru dinner obsession? Don’t wait for ‘someday’ to live generously and faithfully, steward what God has given you today with eternity in mind.