In today’s parable regarding riches, we
read about a rich fool who stored up for himself treasures on earth, thinking
that he can eat, drink, and be merry henceforth; but God called him a fool
because God is going to take his soul away that very night.
Are we such fools?
If God is going to take us away this very
night, are we prepared? Or was much of our life’s pursuit on material
possessions and wealth that we have not been laying treasures in heaven
instead?
“Do
not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and
where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in
and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)
It is human nature to want to acquire more
and save more so that we may feel secure. I am beginning to realise that it may
be even more so for brothers because of a certain sense of responsibility
towards their family. It may not be that they do not have the necessary faith
in God, but that they feel compelled to provide more and better for their loved
ones.
I think that it is perfectly fine to want
to save up for a better future, or for rainy days, but there are a few things
to guard against.
1. Take
heed and beware of covetousness (Luke 12:15)
Sometimes, in our pursuit of more wealth and
more possessions in the world (initially out of a pure heart of providing more
for loved ones), the sin of covetousness may creep into our heart and we find
ourselves with an insatiable want for more.
How much, then, is enough? I really don’t
know; I doubt anyone really knows. Probably that’s why Jesus taught us that no
one can serve two masters - we cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).
But the Bible tells us that godliness with
contentment is great gain. (1
Timothy 6:6)
In Matthew 13:21-22, it also reminds us that the
“deceitfulness of riches” can choke the word, causing the believer to become
unfruitful.
Lately, as I began to gain more experience and expertise in
my work, I find myself wanting to do more and more. I want to learn more, be
trained more, and help more. Although this is not necessary a bad thing, I know
that it has brought me further away from God. That initial love and thirst for
God and His Word has vanished and I cannot recall what attracts me to want to
study deeper into His Words. It was until the recent English Writers’ Retreat
that I rediscover my love for His Word and remember how wonderful the Bible is
again.
For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34).
As we lay more and more treasures on earth
(rather than in heaven), we will inevitably find our heart here also.
I guess, men are limited by space and time. There is only so
much we can do and achieve in this life. Hence, what is it that you really
want? Temporary, or eternal treasures?
2. Do we trust riches or God?
It is
interesting that in Mark 10:24, Jesus said, “Children, how hard it is for those who
trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” The emphasis on “trust in riches” here is not found in
the other gospel books and is perhaps a good food for thought.
Do we really trust that God would provide?
And this ties in quite nicely with the last
sentence of today’s parable,
“So is he who lays up treasure for
himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)
The “rich” in this verse is a verb in the
original language, suggesting to me that these people are doing a lot for themselves, but not doing much unto God. One who does not really trust that God would
provide would likely try means and ways to secure his life.
The rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22) is
probably one such example who trusted more in riches than in God, because he
“went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” He
was not able to trust that God can give him much more.
Therefore, let us reflect upon ourselves
whether we have been trusting in riches, rather than God, and whether we have
unknowingly let covetousness creep in. (Which is why Jesus said it is hard for
a rich man to enter heaven!) Remember that life does not consist in the
abundance of the things one possesses, and that life is more than food, and the
body more than clothing (Luke 12:15, 23) J
1 Timothy 6:17-19 sums up today’s sharing quite nicely,
Command
those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in
uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to
enjoy. Let them do
good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good
foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Question
for reflection: What are some ways we can be rich toward God?
