The question of material wealth has challenged Christian faithful for ages. To date, fierce debates persist on what’s accurate Scriptural guidance in reference to riches. God’s Word is His will. Grasping it should be every believer’s highest priority because it defines the parameters of our day-to-day involvements. If the will of God were unknown, we’d all unwittingly sin against Him. As in other matters, questions on money require adequate answers. But do we dig deep enough for answers?
Some in Christendom view wealth as evil. In not a few religious sermons, wealthy believers have been depicted as suspect or disingenuous. In other quarters, the pendulum swings a hundred and eighty degrees to where wealth is portrayed as evidence of God’s blessings. In such extremes, it’s rather difficult to find a middle ground, as definition of wealth is itself elusive. What is wealth? What factors qualify someone as rich? Where is the demarcation line between poor and rich?
Someone might view these questions as rhetorical. They aren’t. Across the globe, socioeconomic dynamics are vast and diverse. Hence, wealth is a relative term interpreted mainly in the context of regional standards. A peasant in a remote part of the world who isn’t stressed about food and housing is probably richer than a sophisticated city dweller who is laden with bills and ever increasing costs of living. Perhaps that is a good place to commence this evaluation.
Beware of Covetousness…
One day, a man approached Jesus and asked Him to intervene in a family dispute. His brother wouldn’t share their family inheritance with him. In response, Jesus warned of the shortsightedness of greed and covetousness. “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)
What a remarkable statement from Jesus! We’re constantly tempted to evaluate our worth by what we have. We accumulate much stuff in order to “better our lives.” Certainly, possessions provide convenience, but secretly tucked within is the lure to shift our trust from God to wealth. Christ’s counsel to His disciples is our admonition today.
22…do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? (Luke 12:22-26 ~NKJV)
This sounds like impossible advice. How do you not worry about your life when financial challenges pose existential threats? Worry is everyone’s intrusive guest. However, a careful review of the verses above reveals God’s perspective on the matter.
God didn’t create birds with the same capacity as humans, nor does He place equal value on both. Nonetheless, God feeds and clothes birds. From polar penguins to tropical songbirds, God cares for the birds. The feathers that make up their beautiful clothing fall out and grow anew throughout their lives. Birds are never inadequately dressed, nor do they wake up wondering whether they’ll find sufficient supplies for each day. Jesus makes the point that human value is exponentially higher than that of birds. God’s care of birds is a lesson on His commitment to meet our needs.
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. In other words, the mission for which God put us here is not to scavenge for victuals. When we stress over “putting bread on the table” and “clothes on our backs”, we inadvertently reduce life’s purpose to a mere pursuit of basic human needs. Such mindset not only devalues God’s children, it also insults at the quality of His Fatherhood. Folks who think this way make it their goal to procure what they perceive as God’s inability. This is a destructive attitude called unbelief throughout the Bible.
A Rich Fool…
In the passage we’ve reviewed, Jesus told a parable to illustrate the point.
16…“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” [Emphasis added]
In only a few verses, this fellow pointed to himself twelve times, and not ones to God. He assessed himself as his own provider with ease and merriment as his primary objectives! God called him a fool and took his life. He was a liability to existence.
It isn’t difficult to locate such mindsets in people. It’s all in their words and actions. Their identity is in their accomplishments. They have a morbid craving for recognition, and don’t hesitate to trample on others. They carry themselves with airs that make others uncomfortable. Being noticed is of enormous importance, and they spare no effort to display their trophies. In an apostolic missive, Paul warns young Timothy to shun folks who equate wealth to godliness. (1 Tim 6:5)
I don’t want you to miss our point. Jesus wasn’t saying that a person who relies on God should be ignoble or destitute. Not at all! On the contrary, He was affirming God’s children, as the bona fide heirs of His tender care. God cares for His children much more than for birds. As young children safely rely on their parents, God’s children should rest in the immeasurable love, power, and faithfulness of our heavenly Father. Our identity is in God who richly supplies all things for our enjoyment. Our material possessions, social statuses or accomplishments do not define who we are. God does.
When God is our true identity, He is our treasure. Then, our hearts are wrapped in Him. He is our song, our joy and our boasting. He is our meditation all day long! We seek His fellowship more than anything this world affords. Our lives consist in Him alone.