WHAT TRUE WEALTH IS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY JANUARY 23, 2022.

SUBJECT: WHAT TRUE WEALTH IS!

Memory verse: "Because all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and Its flower falls away." (First Peter 1 vs 24.)

READ: James 1 vs 9 - 11:

1:9: Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,

1:10: but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he shall pass away.

1:11: For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

INTIMATION:

Wealth is large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which are objects of human desire; especially abundance of worldly estate; affluence; opulence; riches. They have economic utility, a monetary value or an exchange value. However, wealth is designated as “true wealth” when it is of lasting value that endures to eternity. We find “true wealth” by developing our spiritual life, not by developing our financial assets. God is interested in what is lasting (our souls), not in what is temporary (our money and possessions).

Everything in this life—possessions, accomplishments, people—will eventually fade away and disappear. Only God’s will, Word, and work are permanent. We must stop grasping the temporary and begin focusing our time, money, and energy on the permanent: the Word of God and our eternal life in Christ.

True wealth, according to Biblical injunction, is more of a spiritual undertaking than anything material. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible’s view of heavenly wealth remains constant. Christ in several analogies spoke about the vanity and banality of material possessions; about the stupidity in putting ones faith in such perishable items that cannot stand the test of time; about the foolishness in chasing after transient things that will not guarantee us a future of limitless enjoyment—eternity with Christ.

It is noteworthy that the “Ten Commandments” of God are all relationship based; the first four on relationship with God, and the last six on relationship with one another. Nothing in the commandments has anything to do with material possessions, hence wealth, power, and status mean nothing to God. Therefore, “true wealth” is achieved by our relationship with God and one another.

You can’t take anything with you when you die.

No one can bring material wealth into eternity. Heaven and hell don’t have banks or parking garages. Money and belongings aren’t any good to someone six feet under. What you have won’t change your circumstances when you die. No amount of possessions gives us a better or worse position after life. Jesus warned us about this when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal ...” (Matthew 6 vs 19 - 20).

There’s nothing inherently wrong with wealth. God is the one who generously gives people success with resources and money (Ecclesiastes 5 vs 19). But when we become more concerned about the gifts rather than the giver, possessions become toxic and pointless (Ecclesiastes 5 vs 10). Obsession with wealth ruins our relationship with God and with other people. God cares more about the condition of our hearts than the condition of our wallets. 

There must be a difference between our possessions and what is valuable in God’s economy. Our time on Earth is temporary, and we’re all headed to eternity to somewhere. We can make the most of everything now and prepare for an eternity with God later by listening to Jesus and doing what He says.

What is valuable both now and in eternity is what God cares about: treating people right, forgiveness and loyalty (Matthew 23 vs 23; Micah 6 vs 8). We’re meant to use possessions and love people, not love possessions and use people. Our eternal perspective affects our earthly priorities. We can choose to focus our lives on temporary wealth, but God offers us treasure that lasts forever—true wealth: a relationship with Him that begins here and continues for eternity in heaven. What will we benefit if we give up on what really matters to get a few more possessions? Nothing’s worth more than knowing Jesus.

With true wealth and eternity in mind, therefore, strive to treat each person as Christ would treat him or her. Don’t become arrogant. Work hard and become successful in life but don’t think of yourself as better than others because of your material wealth. In Deuteronomy 8 vs 18 Moses reminds us, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

Don’t put your hope in your wealth. Proverbs 23 vs 5 says, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” A good job or business and its steady earnings can be here today and gone tomorrow.

Be rich in good deeds. A good deed is a free and voluntary act of service toward another person. Doing good deeds for others is the fruit of your salvation in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2 vs 10 tells us: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

Be generous and willing to share. Generous people are synergistic. They build organizations and contribute to the success others. Think about it: who wants to do business with someone who only takes?

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of obsession for true wealth. Give me the grace to love You and others, with all my heart, mind, and soul, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!