Riches (Luke 12:16-21)

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?

Proverbs 14

The book of Proverbs not only shares about the True Wisdom that we should all pursue, it also talks about so many of life’s little teachings as well. There was a time when I was particularly interested in reading books on life’s wisdom (or wise sayings from people who have supposedly been there done there), and while some of these books do give good “advice” (some of them are actually quite shrewd, so be careful what you read), they are focused only on the things on earth. If the Book of Proverbs can provide the direction to this life (how we should lead our lives on earth) and the key to the next (eternal life), I urge you to “buy” the Book of Proverbs with your time, and really internalize these words of wisdom in your life.

I would like to highlight a few verses for today’s sharing.

The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy. (Proverbs 14:10)

There are times when we are listening to someone share about his problems and we are so tempted to say, “I know what you are going through…” and then start to share about our own experience, hoping that our experience will edify him and give him good advice on what to do. Sometimes we may even think that the matter is not worth crying over, and that person should just move on. Being a counsellor, I am trained to empathise with another’s feelings and really seek to understand what he/she is going through. However, I have come to realise that “the heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy”. We can probably never fully understand what someone else is experiencing.

Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. (Proverbs 25:20)

What does “empathising” mean then? It is to listen and to validate his hurts. Agree with him that he is indeed in pain, and help him accept himself. Often, it is when someone is not able to fully accept himself that there began to grow bitter roots within. Are you at peace with yourself? Can you truly accept the person that you are?

A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)

What is a “sound” heart? The English Standard Version uses “tranquil” instead, suggesting a heart which is at peace with oneself. Are you able to love yourself, or do you find yourself often envying others? Perhaps these are questions we can explore with our hurting/troubled friends.

Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And the end of mirth may be grief. (Proverbs 14:13)

But even in moments of joy, sometimes, when the curtain has dropped and the applause has ended, we realised that these are vanities and that there is no lasting happiness on earth. And so we find ourselves chasing after more, more, more, and MORE! I have indeed met with quite a number of people who find life meaningless, and are hopeless. What is missing from the equation here?

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Jesus is the missing link.

Jesus knows the bitterness in our hearts, and He shares in our joys too. I can say with all confidence that He is the only one who can truly empathise with you, because He lives in you and He knows you.

Knowing that He indeed made you and formed you from the womb, and love you, helps us to move beyond the stage of accepting ourselves to desiring to be Christ-like. We are at peace with ourselves, because we know we are loved by the Most High; and because of this love, we want to become better, like Him.

Joy is often found in hope and meaning. Clients who come to me still hopeful or who still find some meanings in their lives are the one who can still laugh and push on. And for us who have known the Lord, we know who is the Hope and the Meaning of our lives - Jesus.

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11)

Jesus is our true joy, and the joy of the LORD is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). We who have indeed tasted the goodness of the Lord, let us share this joy with those around us!