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| Why Do We Want To Be Rich? |
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As I look around, there are more and more people trying to get rich. What's wrong with that, I mean we all want to live as easy as possible right? All the talk in the political news these days is of the billions of bailout dollars and some unknown financier making off with 50 billion dollars and everybody wanting more and more cash-flow.
This led me to dig in history and see if man's greatest conquest has always been to accumulate more wealth. In ancient Rome, the Romans wanted to conquer more and more kingdoms because along with security, it brought wealth. In Moses time, the Egyptians looked at the amount of slaves they had as wealth. Sure there have been wars fought over something other than wealth, but in many cases, the root of the conflict was riches.
Then I went to the Bible. Job was a blessed and wealthy man. His wealth did not look like what we would consider riches, but in his day, he was a rich man. Then I found Mark 10:17-26. 10:17And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 10:18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, `even' God. 10:19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. 10:20 And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. 10:21And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 10:22 But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions. 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 10:24And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 10:26 And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved?
This verse struck me in that the rich young ruler had followed the ten commandments all his life, but since he had great possessions, he could not bear to sell everything, and give the proceeds to the poor. How many people have I met that to talk to, they say all the right things, but live a different way. I am not saying that when God blesses us we should not be thankful and joyful. What I am saying is what is our reaction when we are told to part with all of our stuff, and live a fasted lifestyle. In verse 25, Jesus tells how difficult it is for a rich man to enter heaven. Look at the disciples response. Then who can be saved? Even in their day people were on the quest for wealth. If they were wondering who could be saved, that tells me that society as a whole was money hungry and were trying to amass more and more. Even in Jesus' time, people wanted to be rich, even though He just said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.
In the society and economy that we live in today, why would we put so much trust in dollars when everyday it becomes less and less valuable on the world market. It would seem to me that the only safe place for our trust and faith to be is in our Lord and Savior who never changes. I tell my youth group that if they can see it, one day it will be gone. Why would I put all my trust in something that can be gone tomorrow?
The Bible says that everything that can be shaken will be shaken. That means if our faith is in something other than Jesus and His eternal Kingdom, it is liable to shake right out from underneath us.
I want to be somewhat comfortable, but more than that, I want to be humble and contrite before God. Able to leave the things of this world behind and press on to my great reward, and He is Jesus.
In Christ,
YPM
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| To add a comment to "Why Do We Want To Be Rich?" |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Money = food,shelter, warmth,etc. The more of it you have the nicer the things you can have. At the moment we go to heaven we won't need it anymore. The bible finds value in it to or it wouldn't ask for it to be given as offerings, tithes,etc.. Notice that Jesus didn't say to burn it, he said to give it to the poor.
It's not the money that's bad it's the hording it, the selfishness it brings. If your not willing to help somrone with what you have been blessed with, then you don't deserve it. |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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PM,
While I fundamentally understand and agree with your individual comments, there are a couple of areas where I think you made illogical leaps.
I spent a fair amount of time and effort accumulating a relative amount of wealth. I did that for the financial security of myself and my family. We are blessed to have health care, to have resources set aside for our childrens' education, etc.
But accumulating wealth was not at the exclusion of giving back to our community. My wife and I have always done volunteer work, we are active in our kids activities, etc. And accumulating wealth does not displace our trust or faith in God. Some might argue that the scripture teaches that God will provide whatever we need. I personally never read that to mean that I should spend every dollar I ever make and trust that when the kids are ready for college, God would write the check or provide for a scholarship.
I think personal accountability for our own materialistic needs is our responsibility. And I have faith that God will provide for all the spiritual needs. Bottom line, you lost me a little near the end in effectively defining this as an either/or situation. I think there are plenty of people who have accumulated some degree of wealth while maintaining a healthy spiritual relationship with God...I don't see those as mutually exclusive concepts. And to the degree that some use their 'wealth' to support churches, ministries, missions, and the like, they are in fact complementary.
God's Blessings,
pa |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Thank you Doug and Patrick for your comments.
I realize that we need resources to survive. I also understand that having a cushion brings with it a certain level of security. I agree, Doug, that it is the hording that leads to trouble. Patrick, I love your transparency. I did not mean to suggest that we spend every dollar we make. The Bible also calls us to be good stewards of what we have been given. The line I was trying to draw was the changing from trying to earn a living and supply a future, to the all consuming pursuit of the next dollar. Letting the desire for riches rule our lifestyle and emotions and desires and so on. I believe that God provides us with what we can be responsible for. For some, that may be more than others, but it is what God knows we can handle. Really, whether or not I have everything I want or nothing I want, I do not think it should change my relationship or desire or pursuit of the only uncreated and unchanging God of the universe who loved me enough to sacrifice everything for me.
Thank You again,
YPM |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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| its not money its self thats bad but can you give it up if God told you to. are you like the rich young ruler or are you the good steward. everyone has time to give so that we should do no matter how much wealth we have. so yes we should give our time and our money as God calls us to. |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Way to go Abby! That is a great thought and very true. We all have time to give and we should. That helps us focus on someone besides ourselves. Money is a different issue to most people. Tithing is one thing, but going above and beyond is something else. The Bible says in Matthew 10:8," freely you have received, so also freely give." That is a hard concept for most people.
Jolene |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Thank You girls for your comments.
YPM |
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| January 29, 2009 |
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| Hey, just really had time to read this blog today. I agree with you that it is the position of our heart toward money that is the difference. It's wrong to provide for our family as long as we know ultimately that it is God who even provides the job for us to work for our family. As long as the job itself does not become a god to us and we devote all our time to that. The position of our heart is the main thing. Great blog! |
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