But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:20-21.
A. The divine displeasure, judgment, warnings of the dangers against fondness of earthly riches
A journalist once approaches Bob Marley for the following conversation. Journalist: have made a lot of money out of your music? Bob Marley: money, I mean what is a how much is how much is a lot of money to you? Journalist: that’s a good question. Have you made say millions of dollars? Bob Marley: he shrugs his shoulder and said no. Journalist: are you a rich man? Bob Marley: when you mean rich what you mean? Journalist: you have a lot of possessions, a lot of money in the bank? Bob Marley: do possessions make you rich? I know I don’t have that type of riches. My wealth is life forever.
Though a believer have in heaven a better and an enduring substance (Hebrews 10:34), he should continue to lay treasures for himself in heaven against the time to come, doing the things which accompany salvation, been rich in good works which God has ordained he should walk therein: do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21: contrary to the notion and perception of Bob Marley the Rastafarian, though Christ is the pearl of a great price that a man must sell all earthly riches and gains to obtain or possess, eternal life is a gift and not wealth: except a man be born again, born of water and of spirit, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God, he cannot have eternal life, but is come unto eternal condemnation John 3:3.
According to the scriptures (a) the unbelievers in the world are financially blessed and richer than the children of the kingdom who shall inherit the earth in the world to come: arise, O Lord, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: from men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fills with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. Psalms 17:13-14: (b), earthly riches are gotten by chance and time from him who changes time and season (Ecclesiastes 9:11), not by hard work which is recommended, profitable and good in itself upon which we can be rewarded and nourished from our sweat.
It is not a bad thing when your land produces plentifully. Luke 12:16. It is not a bad thing when your business prospers. It is not a bad thing to receive a promotion and with it a pay increase. It is not a bad thing when your investments increase in value, but it is bad thing if without them, you cannot serve and live for God in righteousness and gladness of heart – giving thanks for all things and rejoicing in hope, be patience in tribulation, and continue instant in prayers. Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle— even then, believer should be happy with the Lord. He should rejoice evermore in the God of his salvation. Habakkuk 3: 17-19.
Hard work pays as we see from the text before us, except that the blessings and riches of such labor should be attributed as the result of divine favor and countenance shinning upon us, not to any human wisdom of know how to do ability in man: and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then your heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; and thou say in your heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shall remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that gives you power to get wealth that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:13-18.
Gold and silver belongs to God who gives generous wealth for stewardship meant to be exercised in simplicity and cheerfulness for accountability and moderate enjoyment for those who are expected to use the world without abusing it or heartily attached to materials and monetary possessions and inheritance. 1 Corinthians 7:31. James 1:27.
The rich fool was found guilty of praising himself instead of praising and thankful to God for his bountiful harvest. He was found guilty of exalting himself for the same reason. The damnable sin of gluttonous (Isaiah 22:13) was evidence as if he was only created to eat and drink – and I will say to my soul, soul, thou hast much goods lays up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Luke 12:19.
The worst part of his action was his evil rejoicing of tomorrow as if the next day belongs to him, making false self assurances of hope to live for many years as if he can keep alive his own soul (Psalms 22:29 c), without the assurance of him that preserve man and beasts – God. Psalms 36:6) are the reasons God rebuked and judged for his sudden departure from the earth.
To make earthly wealth the source of our rejoicing is an iniquity to be punished by the Judge – if I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, thou art my confidence; if I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: this also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. Job 31:24-28: (b) he set his heart upon his riches contrary to warnings from the scriptures not to trust in uncertain riches (trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them: will you set your eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Psalms 62:10. Proverbs 23:5), but to set the affection on things above (Colossians 3:1), to lay hold on eternal life: charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
Those fond of earthly riches or seek to be rich by all illegal means will not be satisfied with riches (he that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10) will fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Whosoever will not guide his heart in the way, not to be overtaken by the cares of this world, and deceitfulness of riches, the work and the seed of God will be choked to death in his life, his eternal purposes will be ruined to disqualify such believer from heaven. Such emotional state of mind is covetousness which is idolatry. It is the spirit of greediness which is against the doctrine of Christ, which is the doctrine according to godliness with contentment.
Money answers all things (Ecclesiastes 10:19), but money is not the answer to everything where (a) money cannot purchase or secure anyone’s salvation in the Lord: (b) where money cannot buy any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for manifestations: (c) where the grace of God is sufficient and abounds against any financial or material lack of a poor believer in the things pertaining to the world, able to adapt himself to any situation of lack, want or abundance through Christ which strengthens him: hearken, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? James 2:5.
B. The nature and characteristic manner of the riches of Christ in his saints.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26.
Believers are given the privilege, not only to believe in Christ Jesus, but to suffer for his name’s sake Philippians 1:29. They are also invited to follow Christ out of the world into the highway of holiness and separation from the world, bearing his reproach of a greater eternal worth and values than any riches of the vain and temporal things of this present life – Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:12-14.
Holy, genuine sweat and cry, the waters coming out from the eyes for the sake of Christ kingdom and purposes are noted in God’s book and preserved in a celestial bottle, not wasted – thou tell my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? Psalms 56:8.
God is not unrighteous to forget your works of faith and labor of love that you have shown to his name. Righteous suffering and reproach for the sake of Christ, not only counts, but is payable.1 Peter 4:14-16.
The more they are, the greater the blessings they’ll produce in heaven. This is the true blessedness and riches of Christ for the persecuted saints for righteousness sake, great shall be their reward in heaven: my soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God? Psalms 42:2-3.
No earthly glory, wealth or vain beauty should be compared to the prestige, honor or eternal glory which God has prepared to reward the saints who have victoriously come out of great tribulations when they shall be clothed with white raiment forever in heaven….you are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:28-30
Our trials and sufferings vary, but we must all thorough many tribulations enter into the kingdom of heaven. The dry tree is no better than the fig tree; the disciple is not greater than his master. Whatever the Lord has gone through on earth to secure your salvation on the cross, you should be ready and willing to suffer the same that you might reign with him in glory, to fill up that which is behind the affliction of Christ for his church. Note: the eternal riches of Christ are the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, better and an enduring substance reserved in heaven. Hebrews 10:34. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…..this text speaks of the many future eternal recompense of reward (Ephesians 1:18) reserved for those who shall overcome to be rewarded to eat from the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, and shall not be hurt by the second death – receive a crown of life – be given to eat of the hidden manna with a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it – they will receive power over the nations – they shall be clothed in white raiment and walk in the streets of gold- they will become a pillar in the temple of God, and they shall go no more out: the name of God will be written on them, and the name of the city of God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven God with the new name of Christ written upon such – they will sit with Christ in his throne, even as he also overcame, and he’s set down with his Father in his throne.
Christ warns us to avoid the dangers and destruction of the cares of this world and deceitfulness of earthly riches? Mark 4:19. Spiritual wealth for kingdom purpose, pursuit, fruitfulness and spiritual growth should be prioritized and sought after, that in everything you are enriched by God, in all utterance, and in all wisdom and knowledge: even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. Was this not the reason God added earthly riches, fame with other things for Solomon because he asked to be rich first towards God – he asked for wisdom, the principal thing? 1 Corinthians 1:5-6.
The Lord knows the troubles, financial want and need you are going through: nonetheless, he says that you are rich, not only spiritually rich in God’s sight (Revelation 2:9), but all things are yours: whether the world, or life, things present, or things to come; all are yours; and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. 1 Corinthians 3: 22-23), therefore keep integrity and a good name; it is better than gold and silver, the integrity of the upright shall save them: better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28:6.
The meek shall inherit the earth: like Moses, those who forgo worldly power and pleasure will be rewarded in the kingdom of heaven: but for now, keep growing your faith to become full and rich in faith, holding it with a good and a pure conscience. 1Timothy1:19. Be zealous and be consumed by the zeal of the house of God, keep the fire burning, it must not goes out, your first love for the Lord must not wax cold for whatever reason: be devotedly involve and engage for Christ till the end – I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that thou may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:15-18. Be rich in good works, liberal, generous, sharing, open hand and sharing as you have opportunity, do good to all men, especially your brethren in the Lord, the household of faith. Acts 9:36-43. Be rich in your personal – prayerful study and understanding of the word of God, lest you fall into the snare of the flattery and false teachers to your own spiritual hurt and destruction: let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16.