If You Truly Want To Be Rich!

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Money makes the world go ‘round, they say. Maybe so, but as scripture argues the “love” of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10). Money can grow wings and fly away. So the question is what do you love? Where does your heart harbor it’s hopes? I meet many people who have all the right stuff but find it doesn’t really fill the holes. Money makes for poor insulation in the soul’s inner walls. That’s why it’s so important to understand Jesus’ teaching on material matters.

In it’s proper context, this verse to “seek first” God’s priorities is paramount to living the truly blessed life. Some interpret this to mean that IF we put God first, He’ll make us rich, healthy and powerful. The irony is Jesus, the one who modeled how to seek God first, lived a solitary, impoverished life without a home, mode of transportation or most luxuries associated with being a rabbi, guru or influential leader of the day. Unlike John the Baptist, who banished himself to the desert for his teaching ministry, Jesus moved well within metropolitan circles of His day. He easily related to the rich (e.g., Zacchaeus, rich young ruler) but was never trapped by the treasures. The King of Kings left Heaven’s riches for an earthly lifestyle where balance trumped bank account, wisdom reigned supreme to the latest wonder toy and frugality bested fine living. If Jesus had believed his press, He surely would’ve been an impressive “king.” But in living within poverty, Jesus could reveal a deeper blessing to both prince and pauper. It’s better to hunger and thirst for righteousness than riches. It’s better to work for honor than worry about your health. You’ll be a far richer man living with less.

So what’s got you buried with burdens today? Is there too much month at the end of the paycheck? Seek God first. Are you worried about your health or the health of another? Seek God first. Do you tire of finding the latest purchase doesn’t buy happiness? See God first. If you’re trying to keep up with the Jones’ you’ll always live in frustration, futility and fear. But if you let go and let God work, you’ll find Peace, Purpose and True Prosperity. You’ll also discover the stuff that used to steer your heart will fade, break, dent, chip and crumble.

Seek God first. And what’s given to you will truly satisfy.

NOTABLE QUOTABLES ON MATERIALISM:

It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly. --Thoreau

Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment. --Mark Twain

An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit. –Pliny the Younger

Much of our activity these days is nothing more than a cheap anesthetic to deaden the pain of an empty life. --Unknown

Purposeless activity may be a phase of death. --Pearl S. Buck

Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. –Kierkegaard

Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. — Thoreau

Father, we live in a world that loves money. All around us is great temptation to possess what we cannot afford and desire what we truly do not need. Help us this day to live Life as Jesus did, in humbleness and humility, in frugality and freedom. May we never let any thing have more value than You. May we use things and love people, not vice verse. Amen.