25th.: Be Rich Toward God
Jesus relates a parable about a man who valued money above all else.
(Luke 12:15-21):
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consists
not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. And he
spake a parable unto them, “The ground of a certain rich man brought
forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do,
because I have no room where to bestow my fruits. And he said, ‘This will I do;
I will pull down my barns, and build greater. And there will I bestow all
my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, thou has much goods
laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.’"
Interjection -
Really, money is only good for securing other people's labor. For example,
Buying something.
But when we buy something, we are actually
paying for the combined labor of people, such as those
a. Who dug raw materials out of the ground, or cut down some tree, etc.
b. The people who designed that something.
c. Those who built that something.
d. Those who transported to the stores that something.
e. The sales people/cashiers who sold that something.
f. etc.
Whatever people can provide, that is where money can help.
However, people can not help other people get into heaven, per-se.
As a result, money has limited value.
Continuing with the parable.
But God said unto him, ‘Fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.
Then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided.’
So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
God holds the keys to heaven.
Yet, we have all offended him with our sins.
And if the Earth is the Lord's and all it contains
we can't buy our way, because he already owns it all.
How then can be become rich toward God?
By turning our mind/heart/soul back to God
and by calling out to the Creator and God, Jesus Christ for forgiveness
And by faith alone, accepting the free gift of salvation that Jesus offers.
And then spending time with him - in prayer, and in reading his instructions to us.
“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” (Rom. 10:12)