Certain Riches

May/03/2010 01:26 PM

Luke 12: 18-21 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’”

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’”

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.”

When we don’t put God first in our lives and in our finances, we reason within ourselves our own plan for prosperity. Without our priorities in order, our foundation will be like sinking sand. Ordering our priorities properly is the difference between certain riches and uncertain riches.

Such is the man that Jesus describes in this story. I don’t believe that Jesus was inferring that this man shouldn’t have blessings and be successful financially. The point He was driving at was that this man spent all his time and energy to fill his life with material wealth without making sure his heart stayed right with God. Another observation could be noted that he trusted in his own plan and in riches themselves rather than God. Remember that the word says it is the love of money, not money itself, that is the root of all evil.

Psalm 39:6 says, “Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro. He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.”

The man in this story who acquired so much wealth didn’t honor the Lord with his increase. Wealth gained God’s way is true prosperity. Here is a great way to fill up your barns and storehouses:

Proverbs 3: 9-10: “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

I have heard this saying for many years and I believe it to be true, “God doesn’t mind you having things as long as the things don’t have you!” Is our pursuit in life more about getting ahead and getting richer or being rich towards God?

I often do a heart check to keep my priorities in order. I don’t check my heart because I am one of the mega rich of the world, because I am not. You don’t have to be a millionaire to get caught up in attaining wealth and moving up to the next level of success. I believe people of any level of economic status have to guard their hearts and minds to stay rich towards God. We all have to keep our focus on the true and certain riches. We should remind ourselves of this next verse each time we are tempted to be anxious about staying prosperous in uncertain times:

1 Timothy 6:7 says, “For we brought nothing into this world, and we take nothing out of it.”

I have decided not to get bent out of shape about the things of this earth, which are temporary and will turn to dust. I know that if I seek first His kingdom and His righteousness then all these things with be added unto me (Matthew 6:33). I walk in such peace that true and lasting riches come from walking close with my Father.

Proverbs 8:18: “With Me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.”

kimconnor@whwc.org