“They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity.” – Ezekiel 7:19
Money can buy many things, but it can’t buy righteousness. It can’t buy peace with God. Those things were purchased on the cross with the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The only way to receive them is as a gift of grace through faith in the Lord. Wealth can’t help anyone spiritually. In fact, it often hinders a person’s spiritual growth and health.
We live in an era with a lot of visible wealth. There are more billionaires than ever before. The rich are getting richer while ordinary things are getting harder and harder for many to obtain. Wealth is coveted, flaunted, celebrated, hated, pursued, wasted, and abused. It’s clear that many people assume wealth will solve their problems, soothe their troubled souls, and guard them against troubled times. Indeed, luxury bunkers are in fashion these days among the ultra-wealthy. These things will do them no good if they are still under God’s wrath.
Money in itself is neither good nor evil. But when it’s pursued and amassed as the ultimate good in life, it becomes a source of outrageous sin. When it’s built at the expense of the dignity and well-being of others, it becomes “the stumbling block of their iniquity”. No amount of wealth can shield its owner from the wrath of God. Only faith in Jesus can do that.
Instead of pursuing endless wealth and discovering that there’s never enough, pursue holiness in Christ. Lay up treasure for yourself in heaven rather than on earth. Steward whatever wealth you have, whether a little or a lot, for the glory of God. Use it to bless others and build God’s Kingdom on earth. Care for the poor, the sick, the widow, and the orphan. By all means enjoy your blessings from God, but enjoy becoming more and more like His Son far more. #FollowJesus