“Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed – and though you get praise when you do well for yourself – his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.” (v8-10,16-20)
This poetic Psalm offers comfort to those who are financially poor, yet spiritually rich. It contrasts the wealth of this temporary world with the wealth of the eternal one. This Psalm reminds me of some passages in one of my favorite books:
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” (Jas 1:9-11) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” (Jas 5:1-5)
Part of Jesus’ most famous teaching says “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 moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt 6:19-21)
Now I’m not suggesting an anti-prosperity gospel, that we should sell everything we have and give all of our money to the poor (though if God is clearly calling you to do that, I suggest you listen). I’m simply reminding myself that my heart needs to be fixed on God for provision, not on my own ability to manage the resources He has entrusted to me. I am not wise enough to provide for myself and my family for the rest of our lives – I make too many bad decisions, there are times of plenty and times of famine, and I am not all-knowing – only God can do these things.
My one surety in life is that I can fully trust in God, in each and every moment, to be my Lord (provider of guidance), my Rock (provider of stability), my Fortress (provider of protection) and my Savior (provider of salvation). Everything else is temporary, the whole earth and its solar system will one day perish – only God and His eternal kingdom (the children of God) will survive. That’s where I need to store my treasure – not even ‘Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena’ will be eternal.
Lord God, my Rock, my Fortress, my Savior, Alpha and Omega, Ageless One, we come before you today in reverence. We bow before your throne, grateful that You fulfill all that You promise. We humbly ask for forgiveness for the many ways in which we have invested unwisely. We ask for Your indwelling Holy Spirit’s guidance in how we utilize the resources with which you bless us. Most High God all things of this world are under Your command, and we submit ourselves and Your resources under Your omniscient stewardship. May we be generous, may we be loving, and may we bless those around us in the same way You have blessed us. Father, we ask for Your Lordship in all areas of our lives, all that we have is Yours, please do with us as You please, for we are Your stewards, the ones to whom You entrusted Your bags of gold.
~ Conqueror in Training