A very intuitive man wrote a letter to God one day, and it said something like this. Dear Lord, I have been re-reading your word about the Rich Young Ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not ride in a car, have any surgery, turn on a light, buy penicillin, hear a pipe organ, watch TV, wash dishes in running water, type a letter, mow a lawn, fly in an airplane, sleep on an innerspring mattress, or talk on the phone. If he were rich, then what am I? This is a very significant point to ponder on. Wealth and money, are not easy subjects to speak of. So are we rich? Do we have any need for want? No. In reading Luke’s Gospel, Jesus encounters the subject of wealth when someone asks Jesus to be his advocate, instructing his brother to give him his share of the inheritance. Jesus declared he was not the judge or arbitrator, but say this, “But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!” Does this not sound familiar to what the world teaches? Eat, drink, and be merry! We are a people of want, desire, and satisfaction, would you agree? But the problem It’s not enough just to get our desires met. We can't eat just one cookie or take one sip of cool water on a hot day. In this carnal body, we all tend to seek more of things that are temporal, meaning temporary, than eternal, meaning everlasting. Did you know that the Bible contains over 2,000 verses alone that address the subjects of money, wealth, and possessions? God takes it seriously. So should we. Paul's first epistle to Timothy tells him that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Matthew tells us no one can serve two masters. Either you will love one and hate the other. You cannot serve them both.
So would you agree with these statements: Money will buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness; religion but not salvation--a passport to everywhere but heaven. All seems highly accurate. But what about obtaining God’s love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness for our sins? It’s not through wealth that I can tell you, which a man named Simon found out in the book of Acts. Simon, who had previously practiced sorcery and amazed people with his magic, was among those who had believed and been baptized. When he saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the apostles' laying on of hands, he offered them money, asking to buy that power so he could do it too. Peter rebuked him sharply, saying, 'May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.' You fool! As He told Simon and Jesus the parable of the Rich Ruler. You fool! God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”
Scripture tells us, “Where your treasure is, there is your heart also!” But what does God have to say about wealth and treasure? Well, wealth is not a sin. Wealth is a gift from God. Wealth is driven to us as a reward from God and even for our labor. Do you realize that scripture tells us in Paul's second epistle to the people of Corinth, if you do not work, you shall not eat! It is expected for each of us to gain a reward for our labors, and not using greed, selfishness, or covetness.
It is, however, important always to remember that God gives us freely all the gifts and wealth, and yet, we are to give in return. In the Old Testament Proverbs, God desires our first fruits of all our crops so our buckets will be overfilled with new wine. Malachi and Deuteronomy tell us to test God in giving your tithe, 1/10, and see God overflood you with blessings. Jesus in Luke tells us that when we give, we will be rewarded with overflowing measures of goods, for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. So many ways to see God bless us when we give freely. Remember, there is no room for us to be greedy. It’s not ours for storing up, but to use wisely with God’s guidance.
I want to leave you with a few steps to help guide you on your journey. 1. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to seek God first and His righteousness, and all our needs will be provided for. This is where we prioritize our lives for God, not the world. 2. 1 Timothy 6:6 says godliness with contentment is a significant gain. Learning to be satisfied with what you have helps to guard your heart from the desire for more. 3. Acts 20:35 says it is more blessed to give than to receive. Generosity breaks the selfish grip of greed and opens your heart to serve others. 4. Luke 12:15 warns us to watch out for greed, as life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Being alert helps avoid being trapped by worldly desires. 5. Matthew 6:19–21 encourages believers to invest in eternal things rather than earthly wealth. What we value reveals where our hearts truly are. When we give, do not expect fellow man to give in return. That’s where faith in God comes in.
These are but a few examples to help reinvest your walk with God more productively. Remember, if God takes it seriously, so should we. Whether through tithes, offerings, or generous giving, it reflects honor, trust, and gratitude, aligning our hearts with God's purposes. Let me leave you with this wonderful poem I found.
From fields of gold and daily bread, We bring to God the first, not dead. The tithe, a token of our trust, Returned to Him, both right and just. Not out of fear or hollow chore, But love that gives, then gives Him more. A tenth we lay with open hand, Acknowledging His sovereign plan. For all we have is from above, A gift wrapped up in grace and love. And when we hold our treasure loose, He fills our cup with greater use. He opens up the storehouse gates, And blesses us in countless ways. Peace, protection, daily bread, Joyful hearts and spirits fed. So let us give with cheerful song, To Him to whom all things belong. The harvest comes in perfect time, With blessings rich, and joy divine. Amen.