Last night I surprised to see a special on CNN called “Jesus, what would he really do?” One of the guests was Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life. Rick was getting questioned about his beliefs on wealth and how it pertains to righteousness and he made an interesting comment. He said, “It’s not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin to die rich.” He didn’t mention how he supported his statement biblically, but it still remains a thought-provoking statement for me. His point in making that statement was that we should USE our money, rather than hoard it. I couldn’t agree more. After all, money will never satisfy us. The only real peace we will experience in life will come from our relationship with God. Knowing that he will meet, “all of our need according to his riches in glory…”(phi4.19) is much more reassuring than having millions in our bank accounts.
We came into this world with nothing and we will leave with nothing. It’s a better idea to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal,”(mat6.20) than to hoard what God has entrusted us to be stewards over.
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What I never understood about the whole God and Money thing (I have my theories but who really knows in the end right? until it’s “too late”) is why people assume that just because you have money you are a materialistic person who worships money over God? I am by no means wealthy, but I still enjoy spending my money and buying things for both myself and others. I enjoy my “big-boy toys” if you will.. TVs and what not. And I couldn’t really imagine life without these comforts, but I don’t really believe that makes me a bad christian that doesn’t follow God.
I agree with you though Bob that it’s what you do with what you have that makes you who you are. Lazoras wouldn’t give up his riches to follow Jesus, but Jesus still brought him back from the dead.