Friday August 19, 2011

Read Luke 12:15-21

 

Scripture frequently warns of the dangers of wealth. The four major perils are greed, favouritism, pride, and autonomy.

 

1. Greed. The desire for acquisition is deeply rooted in the human race.

The parable in Luke 12:15-21 of the man who laid up treasure for himself and was not rich toward God illustrates the truth that the more we have the more we want.  The Bible is opposed to the covetousness and conceit of materialism. When the pursuit of money becomes our objective in life, it is idolatrous:  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang (1 Timothy 6:9-10; cf. Proverbs 28:22).

 

The pursuit of wealth leads us away from the pursuit of God. Materialism and spiritual complacency go hand in hand. Like the one in the parable of the sower on whom seed was sown among the thorns, we can become unfruitful if we allow the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the word that we have heard (Matthew 13:22).

 

2. Favouritism.

Another danger associated with money is the tendency to show partiality toward the rich and disdain toward the poor. It is all too typical for us to look with favour upon those who are in a position to help us. Instead of serving others, we have the wrong motive of wanting to be served, and James calls such partiality sin (see James  2:1-10).

3. Pride.

"A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination.  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honour" (Proverbs 18:11-12; cf. Deuteronomy 8:11-14). There is a temptation among the wealthy to have an arrogant spirit and to boast in their possessions (Proverbs 28:11; Jeremiah 9:23; 1 Timothy 6:17).

4. Autonomy.

There is the ever-present danger of placing our trust and security in tangible wealth rather than in the Lord. The more prosperous we are, the more likely

we are to develop an attitude of independence and self-determination (Prov. 30:9a). It becomes progressively easier to rest on our own resources and more difficult to live by faith. "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17). We are not to trust in our wealth but in God who gave it to us.

Seek First His Kingdom "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). If we allow anything that we desire or possess to rival our love for God, it will turn our hearts away from Him. We cannot combine devotion to earthly goods with loyalty to Christ. It is only when we learn to trust God for all our needs that we will overcome the anxiety that assails us. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Prayer:

> Pray for the new comers to Christlife that they will feel welcome to attend our church on a regular basis. Pray that any questions they may have about God will be answered to enable them to make the decision to invite Jesus into their hearts.