The Deception of Riches

Someone has said there are three classifications of people on this earth, at least in one sense; "the haves," "the have nots," and "the have not paid for what they have."(anon)  Maybe this could be a fair analysis, especially in this culture.

In a moment of true confession, there was a season in our lives that would find us as people who believed our spiritual progress in this life could be shown in "the abundance of the things we possessed."  Thankfully, we have since learned better than such deception.  Had we rightly studied the Scriptures, even for ourselves, rather than following some prominent false teacher, we would have known better much earlier.  (ref. Luke 12:15-21)

It's so easy to see someone else whom we deem guilty of being deceived by riches when in all likelihood most of us struggle each day with the temptation to this error. (ref. Isa. 55:1,2) Not to be misunderstood because, Work, we must!  Prepare in wisdom for days ahead, we must!  Give in gratitude to the purposes of our God and help the truly needy, we must!  Yes, indeed, labor is required for the perishing dollar needed to do these things.

But, to work to acquire the finest, the maximums in possessions and status, must be kept seriously in check. Or, to "get all we can" and "can all one gets," in some miserly fashion is just as problematic.  Nor, should the able of mind and body sit on their "can" and take what "others have canned" for their sustenance. (ref. II Thess. 3:10-12)

The nice things we may receive in this life are the blessings of our Lord. We can enjoy them to His glory and honor with thanksgiving.  Yet, He is our true enjoyment, and the provisions of this life are given for fulfilling His purposes in our lives and others.  (ref. Luke 16:10-13)

Should we find ourselves in times of over-concern for our things and their protection from others, or the desire for overindulgence in our afforded luxuries, we should take a biblical exam of our motives.  May we be reminded as the Apostle John said in his first letter: "Little children keep yourselves from idols." (ref. I John 5:21)

As we "press on towards the mark...."

Julie

Scripture References:

Luke 12:15-21 "And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And he told them a parable, saying, The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops? And he said, I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.  But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

Isa. 55:1,2 "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food."

Luke 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation."

II Thess. 3:10-12 "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living."

Luke 16:10-13 "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?  And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?  No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money."

I John 5:21 "Little children keep yourselves from idols."