This is the 3rd post in a 5 day series about Scripture and its promises to meet our most basic needs. Monday, we saw that Scripture is good food. Yesterday, Scripture was Wisdom and today, Scripture is WEALTH.
Did you grow up watching Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? I think it came on sometime during the weekend, so I didn’t always catch the show, but when I did, it would set me dreaming about my future. There seems to be something in all children that dreams of being rich. Even as an adult, it seems that the common desire for nearly everyone is to have more money than we know what to with.
Wealth provides us with:
- Security
- Power
- Privilege
The law of Your mouth is better to me than THOUSANDS of coins of gold and silver. v. 72
The Deception of Money
But, the problem with money is that it’s so deceptive. When it’s in our hands, or our assets, or our bank accounts, we feel strong. But, the truth is that it can very easily be snatched from us.
- Cash itself can be quickly devalued when a economy changes or conflict with other countries quickly changes the exchange rate. I can think of the country of Zimbabwe and U.S. Confederate money as two examples.
- Land and buildings may seem like better investments, but a natural catastrophe or economic change can easily make these assets worth very little. Just ask Katrina victims in Mississippi whose million dollar homes were squashed by the hurricane floods and whose land was extremely devalued-overnight.
- A good paying job can seem to be a form of wealth that’s more reliable-especially if we work hard and earn a good wage. But, the truth is that any job can become obsolete in no time. Or, if the economy changed, even the highest paid professionals would have to live on less. I remember meeting DOCTORS in China, India, and parts of South America and being shocked at the fact that they seemed to be nearly as poor as everyone else.
- Assets in the bank with stocks and securities can make us feel a little more secure. But, I don’t need to go to great length to remind you, especially these days, how easily we could lose it all. There’s a reason that the bills say, ‘In God We Trust.’ There’s no gold blocks sitting in the bank for even the most conservative of investments.
I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. v. 127
Either God or Money
Feeling insecure yet? When I actually stop to think about how untrustworthy money and possessions are, I’m challenged by the fact that I so often run to these things as my Savior from challenge and discomfort. Jesus was clear, we can either serve God or money. Not both.
God’s Word is a compass that points us toward God instead of money. And so, God’s Word can become a treasure to us that it’s more trustworthy than any form of material wealth.
I have rejoiced in your testimonies as much as in all riches. v 14
A Resolution
I don’t know about you, but these reminders about how easily money and possessions can be stolen or destroyed makes me want to renew my commitment to reading God’s Word and trusting more in Him for my security, my power, and my privileges.
Lord, turn my eyes toward your Word and let me find great spoil and everlasting gold there.
I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. v. 162
Your Turn
How has God shown you how untrustworthy money and possessions can be? Have there been times when He’s made His Word a treasure to you?
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