“For he sees that even the wise die;
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.”
– Psalm 49:10
The material abundance that some in this country have enjoyed in recent decades has fooled many, including Christians and churches, into finding their strength in financial resources. This was always an illusion, as the job losses and market upheavals of recent weeks has revealed. Money has its uses but as a source of strength and foundation for life, it’s fool’s gold. People and churches too often carry large bank balances to the grave while utterly missing the point of existence. Even those untouched by financial disaster will one day leave their money behind and discover that in the scheme of eternity it was unimportant.
We must find our identity, strength, and courage in Christ, who is the solid and unchanging Rock, and the work of His Kingdom. Not in dollars, numbers, or apparent success as the world measures it. All that is fleeting – it will inevitably distract or disappoint. Our foundation must be the living God who owns all the wealth of the world regardless of whether He chooses to give us a large or small portion of that. Likewise, our goal with money should not be to pile it higher, but to put it to use for God’s Kingdom and purposes. Only then does it serve its true purpose and only then do we find ourselves in right relationship with it to enjoy being faithful stewards of whatever God gives us for this season before we enjoy His presence forever.