What does it take to get rich? We're surrounded by what we think of as the rewards of riches; all sorts of things to spend money on. There are studies showing, however, that the more choices we have, the more time we can spend on evaluating all the possibilities, and finding less enjoyment with what we do finally choose.
Assuming that we're starting from Ground Zero, there is all kind of advice out there. Saw one the other day that boiled down to: Work hard, long hours; live cheap; develop your mind, and never lose track of your goal. We do live in a world that requires work, one way or another. Sounds a little like the cost Adam paid, doesn't it?
It's the last item that draws the line between the world and God. What is the goal? We often focus our time and attention on getting rich as a guarantee of security. How secure is this? Paul advised Timothy, who apparently was dealing with this issue in his congregation in Ephesus, "If it's only money that these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after." (I Timothy 6:9-10, The Message)
He doesn't mean just that money can come, and money can go. Even if the money is there, "losing your footing in the faith completely" is, in the long run, scary--even with money in the bank. Or as Jesus once put it, "what do you gain if you lose your soul?"
Can we keep our eyes on God, earn the rewards of being good and faithful servants, and build a treaury that will last forever?
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