All people on this earth are storing up treasures for themselves. Some do this by way of cars and toys. Others do this by way of education or in the serving of their family and children. Some people store up treasures in friendships and in entertainment. All men are investing in, valuing, and storing up treasures in something. With the right use, all things mentioned are fine, but Scripture requires us to be investing in, valuing, and storing treasures into eternal things. So many in this world think that things, friends, marriage, beauty, education, and/or love will fulfill them. This is simply a lie.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? -Matthew 6.19-25
"The whole design of God in all His Providence to us is to advance His own glory by drawing off our minds from the things which are seen, and which are temporal, to those that are invisible and eternal, and by all our earthly losses to teach us more the value of His own grace...what is more inexcusable than for a man , for a sinner, to dread poverty and outward meanness, and contempt, and not be afraid of hell, to live as if he were all body, and had no soul to save, to be fond of life, never to think of death, as if this would never perish, and that never come?" -Timothy Rogers (1658-1728)
3 comments:
You entitle your post "The Way to Build Wealth and Fame." I think it's important to remember that those who live their life seeking to avoid wealth and fame often tend to be as much the materialists as those who seek wealth and fame. If our principles and life are spiritually motivated, then God may prosper us. Thus, it's what motivates us; what we consider "treasure," and not what we actually possess that indicates our heart's desire. Often, those who are motivated to live spiritual and godly lives are those who prosper both spiritually and physically; those who build wealth and fame.
Remembering also, of course, that men like Job were wealthy. As Nate said, it's more about the attitude towards the things than the things themselves. The love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself.
There is a verse the says something like it being easier for a rich man to get through an eye of a needle than to get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
For me the point is that wealthy people may rely on their wealth while someone just getting by will be talking to God more re: his needs.Also people with "lots of stuff" can easily find themselves focused on the pleasure and care of things and not take time to worship and work on their relationship with God.
Our sinful human nature and ego's are easily led into love of things and self.There is a bumper sticker that says HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS!!! This arrogance is common in our culture and is what I believe this verse is refering to.
Our pastor periodically reminds us that if were not taking it to heaven it's not really ours.Therefore the focus needs to be on our soul and that we continue to cultivate our spiritual walk with God.Thats what we're leaving the earth with.
Having said that I can think of many wealthy people who do put God first and use their wealth to further His Kingdom.
Thanks be to God for all the nice things he has given me to enjoy on his earth, and especially all the nice people!!
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