Our Security, Reputation, And Bank Account

There's no question that money is indeed a powerful force. We work for it, save it, and then spend it to satisfy our earthly needs and wants, wishing we had more of it. Aware of its distracting danger (1 Timothy 6:9-10; cf. Deuteronomy 16:19; Ecclesiastes 7:7).

Jesus warns us that trusting in our wealth and using it only for the purpose of gaining power or prestige, impedes our spiritual development more readily than almost any other impediment.

In telling the parable of the "rich fool," the Lord shamed His listeners for not being rich toward God (Luke 12:13-21), the implication being that God has a far different view of wealth than most of us (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Let's ask ourselves this question, "What does it mean to be rich toward God?" Paul tells us that those who are rich should not be conceited about their wealth, "nor to trust in uncertain riches" (1 Timothy 6:17). Rather, we are to "be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (1 Timothy 6:18). This inspired advice from the pen of the apostle Paul, is especially for those of us who may think that our security and reputation are tied up in the size of our bank account.

It is interesting to note that God measures wealth by the "quality" of our lives and our generous disbursement of what God has blessed us with in order to bless others (James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:14-18; cf. Luke 3:9-11).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets