05/20/2025
Are we seeking those things which are important in life and if not, how do we change our direction? This is our thought today. We will be contemplating what we actually hold to be most valuable in our lives and then asking ourselves if those things are really as valuable as we believe them to be. Are we placing value on fleeting things at the expense of those which are holy and eternal?
There is a saying that we all know, and many of us use it from time to time, "You can't take it with you." There are times we use this phrase as justification for spending or squandering those things we have worked for, and sometimes been blessed with, as we seek to use them for immediate pleasure. But do these things, such as money, jewels, businesses, homes, and even some relationships, consist of the real pleasure we believe them to possess, and are they really what is important to us in our lives? Perhaps we think so because they can bring us momentary happiness, comfort, and gratification. Yet in the end we find that all of this is fleeting and without consequence once our days are at end, that is unless we transform them by spending them in pursuit of God’s will.
In the parable of the rich fool Jesus warns us about spending all of our energy accumulating things in this physical world. He speaks of the folly in gathering fruit that will rot instead of seeking eternal treasure. Let's listen to His words once more:
“And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."”
Luke 12:19-21 ESV
I look at my own life and the wealth that I have accumulated. Are these things I possess and take such great pride in really important, or is the value I am placing on them an illusion, and my pride in them a stumbling block to my faith, righteousness, and salvation which are the true treasures?
What if tonight I go to sleep and don’t wake up... what will be important then? What do I carry with me into the presence of God? Will he take out my old ledger book and praise me for what I accumulated on earth? Funny, but I can't think of a single one of God’s commandments that He has given me which says "gather all you can and horde it so that I can praise you for it in judgement." No... and yet this is often how we approach life.
There is another saying I have heard people repeating, and that I have even read on their T-shirts; it goes like this..."He who dies with the most toys wins!" This is balderdash, pure nonsense, and another of Satan’s great lies. If this has actually been our approach to living our lives then we had best reconsider and do so with a sense of great urgency… time is short.
God does place value on earthly wealth, but in a much different way than we do. He uses our excess to build character in us by telling us to do good and holy things with it. He doesn't say please yourself, or enrich your pastor, or buy prominence. No, He tells us to convert our earthly wealth into heavenly treasure in ways such as this... feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming a stranger, clothing the naked, healing the sick, visiting a prisoner, and loving one another in so many other ways. If we do this then our earthly prosperity will have been transformed into heavenly blessings, and righteousness. This is how the labor of our earthly hands and the love we have in our hearts can make us righteous, allow us to please to God, and to become worthy of eternal life in His presence.
“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."”
Matthew 25:42-46 ESV
Yet, most certainly it is good to provide for our families, and to leave them well taken care of at the end of our days, but we should do so responsibly. We should make certain that the things we leave behind are properly divided amongst our children, the church, and the poor. Are we following a path that will reduce strife and provide for the wellbeing of all by planning for this eventuality and by making what is earthly to be holy as God would have us do.
So, it isn't about accumulating the most toys, it isn't about prominence, pride, or pleasure... it is about much more than this… it is about such things as loving our neighbor as ourselves and placing no other god before us. If what we do with your excess wealth isn't bringing us to a place of righteousness where we can sit with Jesus and tell Him, without embarrassment or shame, about how we managed God's blessings and learned the lessons of holiness... then it's time to for us to reconsider our priorities.
“By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
Luke 21:19 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the blessings you bestow on me each day, and I pray that I will never confuse the source of my wealth and achievements by believing they are mine. Holy Father I have nothing that you have not provided... from the intelligence that you saw fit to give me at birth, to the wealth I am able to accumulate by your providence. Lord, guide me in how you wish me to employ the treasures of this earth that I manage for you. Show me the hungry you wish fed, and the thirsty I should give drink to. Allow me, through your word, to obtain righteousness by obeying your will, both in this world and in heaven. Most Holy Father, guide me through my life and teach me of those truly important possessions that come when I obey you and by providing for the least of your children in your name. Let your Word and the gospel of Jesus teach me kindness, humility, and generosity... and in all these things let love be my motivation and guide. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who gives freely and lovingly. Holy are you who is merciful, full of grace, and uses all you are to right the wrong, and find forgiveness for those who have sinned and fallen short of righteousness. Loving are you beyond all measure and worthy are you of my praise, honor, and the glory of all creation. You are the true and greatest treasure that I pursue, and the single greatest joy of my life. Hear this my prayer, and let your Spirit and my belief in Jesus Christ lead me and enrich me always.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
Rich Forbes