” Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where there’s break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there is your heart also. ”
-Matthew 6:19-21 (English Standard Version)
One of the most contentious topics these days is the state of the economy. Economists are worried that if the current metrics continue much longer, they could usher in a major recession, which could threaten long range investsments
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be financially secure. This desire is one that has been with us since the very beginning.
The problem occurs when investing for the future becomes an obsession; a never ending pursuit of wealth regardless of the cost, including the loss of family, friends, and even your soul.
Luke 12:13-21 gives us the cautionary tale about the futility of obsessing over security through earthly wealth, where Jesus talks about the farmer who tor down his existing grain bins because he felt he simply couldn’t store enough grain away to keep himself happy. After a lot of time, money, an̈d effort, he finally builds bins large enough to satisfy him. But that night, an angel appears to him and says, “Fool, this night your soul is required of you!
Why dies Jesus make this topic so prominent? Because there are those who will spend their entire lives collecting wealth and status to the point where their wealth becomes their Baal, at whose feet they worship and offer their sacrifices.
As Paul stated in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into a temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
The out-of-control craving of wealth for wealth and power which many display has led to a host of evils including greed, lying, cheating, and even murder…often without remorse from the guilty party.
This is completely antithetical to the love of God and all the blessings which flow freely from him. All that we receive from him is freely given; It doesn’t have to be fought for or fought over, and there is an abundance of blessings for all to share. And whereas we know that earthly wealth is volatile and temporary, we also know that the riches we have from God through our faith, are both sure and eternal.
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