Embrace God’s Idea Of True Riches
God offers in His Word a view of eternity that transforms every minute of everyday into an opportunity to acquire lasting treasure. The Bible promises we can obtain an imperishable spiritual treasure that can never be taken from us.
The world’s notion of riches is based on acquiring things we want but don’t have. If we believe we can’t be happy unless we gain more than we have, then we will never enjoy what we do have.
The world says, happiness comes from getting a better job, a bigger house, outstanding children, better treatment from one’s spouse or a prestigious award as top producer of the fastest–rising star in one’s field of endeavor. But this thinking is ultimately bankrupt. Happiness that’s grounded in acquiring what we don’t have will never allow us to enjoy what we do have. Adapting the world’s perspective is embracing a life filled with the futility that accompanies spiritual poverty.
Don’t Be Enticed By Stuff
Many people’s lives are frantically driven by the deep-seated belief that the best life has to offer is found in owning a lot of stuff. Sounds very unsophisticated when it’s put like this. Doesn’t it? Whether it be large amounts of cash, stock certificates, 24-carat diamonds, million-dollar homes, Rolex watches, Gucci handbags, Armani suits, Rolls Royce cars, or everyday Walmart specials, it’s all just stuff. It was stuff 100 years ago, it is stuff today when it is new and looks impressive, and it will be stuff 100 years from now when it’s decaying in a landfill. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with material goods. Nor is there anything wrong with working diligently toward acquiring things. The danger lies in what we believe stuff can do for us. Our Lord warns us when He said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Stuff never does for the soul what it boldly promises. You and I know it never delivers deep satisfaction. As Solomon wrote, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with increase. This is also vanity (Ecclesiastes 5:10).” Whenever there’s again in wealth, there is a corresponding gain in appetite for more. It’s human nature.
William James was right when he said, “The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” This is the real gold standard. Adapted from the article AVOID DERAILMENT When Everything You Touch Turns to Gold by Tim Dunn.
