March 7, 2002
Rotten Wealth
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. James 5:1-6
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10
In the wilderness, the nation of Israel was fed manna by the Lord God. Yet, they were not content. They tried to hoard it. They would put back that which was given on a day to save for the next day. What did the Lord do with it? He caused it to rot, except that which was needed for the Sabbath day. Now, that is a picture of storing wealth. When the Lord sent forth the disciples, he told them to take only what was needed. They were to take nothing but a staff. They were not to take extra clothes, money or anything of the sort. Now, today, we hear many many people teaching that the Lord longs to bless his people. It is true, the Lord does want to bless his people. However God is not a genie God. He is not a God who just gives us what we want because we want it. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Why do believers need mansions on earth? Why do they need to be driven around in limousines? What right do believers have to think the Lord wants them to be wealthy just because they want to be wealthy?
Look at history and see what the love of money can bring even to believers. There have been many fall due to the love and the pursuit of wealth. This passage speaks of being content with food and clothing. Are we content? The Lord does long to bless his people. However, if you are one the Lord does choose to bless with great wealth, you are given a great responsibility to go with it. For, one who has wealth is charged to care for the ones who don’t. God never says he wants his people to live a life of leisure. In fact, he repeatedly tells us that we must rely on him for our needs. When one has great wealth, they tend to put their hope in that wealth and not in the Lord. Most who achieve great wealth have done so by cheating those under them. They drive limousines while their workers are cold and hungry at night. I tell you, this is not of God! How do we know this? His word says it.
Be warned that we cannot serve both God and money. To love money is to be made an enemy of God. Money is an idol to many. Where are you with money? I do understand that we must have money to live in today’s world, yet, how much is enough? Do we really need an outfit for each day of the month? Do we really need a house that has 20 rooms when the only people who live there are you and your spouse and maybe a child or two? Do we really need a Lexus when those who work under us wonder if their care will get them to work and back each day? Do not let the lure of wealth drag you away from the Lord. Do not fall into the trap set by the enemy of believing that if you are not blessed financially that you are not truly serving God. Do not believe the lies that God will give you everything you want. He says he will give you the desires of your heart, and yet, a true believer is one whose heart is aligned with God. Therefore, if you pray for wealth, make sure you pray with a pure heart, one that is prepared to see that the needs of those around are met out of your pocket. If you pray for wealth, you must pray to have the wisdom of what to do with it in order not to fall from the faith in Jesus that you are called to walk in. Let us learn to trust in the Lord and let him bless us with every good and perfect gift which comes down from heaven, rather than to place our faith in the wealth of the world.
Father, in Jesus name, I ask that you give each of us your heart when it comes to money. Lord, you own all there is in this world and you do meet our needs. Lord show us where the line is between a need and a want. Father, keep us from falling into the trap set by the enemy. Father, keep our faith in you and in you alone. Do not let us be drawn by the pursuit of wealth. Teach us to be content with what you so graciously give to each of us. Lord, in Jesus name, you place within each one the heart of the Lord that our desires be your desires. Lord, let us not store up wealth that shall rot, rust or decay. Let us store the treasure in heaven, the only lasting treasure. In Jesus name, teach us what you desire for us to know about the good and perfect gifts that you give to your children. Purify our hearts, in Jesus name, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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