Fleeting Wealth
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust 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, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
Do you realize that you are wealthy? In fact, if you can afford the computer you are reading this on, then—at least by the world's standards — you are rich. And even beyond that definition, many of you may well be wealthy even when compared with your own neighbors. But there is a great hazard that often occurs when we realize that we are wealthy. That hazard comes from the feeling of pride it may produce. We build up our egos and begin to think we're a little smarter or a little better than others. We may even believe we're entitled to this wealth because of the wonderful people we are.
God's Word warns us, "Don't be conceited. Don't be arrogant just because God may have blessed you with wealth and you have more." And certainly don't make the mistake of fixing your hope on the uncertainty of riches. Remember the economic madness of the 1990s? Think about all the extraordinary wealth that was generated by dot com companies that soon became "dot bomb" companies. Some of those who were mega-millionaires in 1997 have very little today.
God's Word reminds us over and over that wealth can come and go. There's no certainty in that. Fix your focus on God, not the temporary riches we may have during our brief time on earth.
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4 Comments
ROMANS 6,3-4
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The word Baptism is derived from the Greek word baptismos. The verb in Greek is baptizo. It's meaning commonly is given as "to dip or to immerse".
jesus was baptized ! as an example for us to follow ! - david
The Bible is like a treasure filled hope chest. It sees us through until our time in heaven arrives. If we keep focused on God's word then we will not need so many material things to fill up the time between now and heaven. - Janice
We have such a tendency to put so much value and priority in our "stuff". At the end of our days our stuff will count for nothing. Our relationship with Christ will be the only thing that's truly valuable. The funny thing is when we grow older and may need to go into a nursing home or assisted living we can't take it all with us then either! Better to place our value in Christ...the gift that keeps on giving. - Melanie
Much of the world, perhaps most people in the world spends 90% of their income on food. This is before the recent food price increases. How rich are you to be able to spend a big portion of your income on other than food?
Thanks be to God. - Hal