If you are reading this blog, you're likely rich like I am. I may drive an older minivan, but only 10-20% of our global population owns a vehicle. Our single-story, three-bedroom home is well below the median sale price for U.S. homes; however, it's substantially larger than the average home in the world. The world tells me to buy a full-size truck and move into the bigger home being sold across the street, but newer and bigger aren't always better. The world is telling us we need to do more to maximize our income and savings, but what does the Bible say about wealth? A lot! Did you know there are more than 2,000 Bible verses about money?
With the Bible saying so much about cash and currency, we have no excuse for not having a biblical understanding of money. Money is needed to survive in modern society, and big bucks can do much good. Money may not be everything, but don't ever tell a poor person that money doesn't matter. Money matters. How does one afford a safe home, healthy food, and mounting medical bills? Money.
Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Job, David, Solomon, Job, Nicodemus, and Lydia all had deep pockets, and there is much good that we wealthy people can do. God wants us to be cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7) and honor Him with our wealth (Proverbs 3:9). We do need to be careful and not allow money to become a god in our lives. This is something I did in my early 20s. Being rich is not a sin, but we've all heard stories of people pursuing wealth in a way that wrecks their marriages, careers, and lives. Let's always choose God over money (Luke 16:13) and not forget that 1 Timothy 6:10 says the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
What's with all the money talk? This month at our ECS chapels, we'll be looking at the Parable of the Rich Fool found in Luke 12:13-21. Here Jesus warns us against being greedy, materialistic, and thinking money will solve everything. A man from a crowd asks Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute with his brother, probably an older brother. Jesus refuses to judge the matter and tells all who can hear that we should be content with what God has given us and that our lives are much more than accumulating a bunch of wealth.
Jesus then proceeds to talk about a rich farmer whose land produces a massive harvest. The farmer's storage space was too small, so he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store all of his grains and goods. The farmer tells himself he is set for years, so he can now relax and enjoy the good life. God calls him a fool, saying the farmer's life will be taken from him, and asking who will get his goods now. Jesus says that we are fools to store up earthly riches and not be rich towards God.
What's Jesus' point?
- Our worth is not based on what we own.
- Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Money can't buy us everything.
- When we have extra, we should share it.
- It's far greater to be spiritually rich (close to God and loving others) than to be materially rich.
I hope you believe this. If you want to hear about setting your heart on Christ and blessing others, please join us at our chapels. I believe you'll be blessed and will gain wisdom that can help you better invest in God's kingdom. To Him be the glory!
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
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