Category: Riches

“Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend” (Proverbs 19:4).

It is an unfortunate reality in life that wealth brings popularity. Not that someone might actually become wealthy, but that it can bring out inappropriate reactions from others. For example, the newly rich has a difficult time knowing who is a friend because of genuine affection, and who is a “friend” because they hope to benefit from the wealth, influence or opportunities of the friendship.

The same thing is true with the poor man, whether newly minted or habitually bereft. He has no money, no influence, no opportunity to help anyone who wants to graft onto his friendship. So, he has a hard time making friends.

Wealth has nothing to do either with character or success as defined by God. It does not make a man more spiritual, and it can actually bring challenges to faith. Remember the Lord’s words in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Add to it, “there is neither poor or rich”, and you get the idea.

So, as Christians, we should be “wealth blind.” Our relationships should be based entirely upon genuine affection, not upon a hope for personal gain. (Read James 2:1-9).

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An examination of God’s rebuke of Israel, through the prophet Amos, as a result of the corrupting influence of wealth, and the oppression of the poor.

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Lesson 4 of 8
Speaker: Amos Long

As the rich fool, too many today are seeking riches for themselves, and lacking in their commitment to God.

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Our lives are comfortable, and in such comfort there is the danger of forgetting God, of trusting in ourselves and what we own, and in indulging ourselves in excess and sin.

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A contrast is here made by James between the poor Christian and the rich Christian.

Paul instructs the poor man to glory in his exaltation. In this there is the recognition that God is pleased when we have reason to rejoice and enjoy our lives. The life of the destitute is hard, with little relief. It is good and proper for him to enjoy any morsel of happiness or honor that he will receive. (A good lesson for us is to seek out the poor — in circumstance or spirit — and honor them. It will be a great encouragement to them).

In contrast, the rich man is to glory in his humiliation. In this there is the recognition that honor on earth is of no value with regard to the eternal standing of any man. The life of the rich man is full of accolades and ease. While the praise may be well earned, for a man to trust in such flattery, or believe there to be lasting value in riches, is dangerous and foolish. (A good lesson for us is to remember that any praise we receive for our earthly standing or secular accomplishments has little value. We must not place our trust in uncertain riches).

Let us all pursue an eternal reward, rather than riches that fade!

It is difficult for a rich man to enter heaven, due to pride, covetousness, and the corruption that riches can bring. There is also the possibility that the riches themselves may have been garnered unrighteously. The sermon deals with the problems of the rich, then points out that we all can struggle with the dangers of riches in our society.

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Did you hear the one about the rich old man who told his wife before dying that he wanted all of his money buried with him? At his funeral, just before the casket was closed she put a metal box in the casket with him. “Surely you didn’t put all the money in there?”, asked her friend. “Well, he did request it”, she said. “I got all the money together and put it in my checking account. I wrote him a check and put it in the box. If he can cash it, he can have it!”

It seems that many live their lives in such a way as to suggest the believe they can, in fact, take their money with them when they die! Such thinking is foolish! Remember the foolish rich man of Luke 12? He spent his time and focus in getting ahead in life. After he had accomplished his purpose, he sat back and said, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink and be merry” (vs. 19). God’s answer to him was, “Fool!, This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” (vs. 20).

Continue reading “You Can’t Take it With You” →

AOTS Number 31

Everyone talks to themselves. But, it is important when you do so, that you say the right things, or you may be shown to be a fool.

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Podcast Number 51

The writer James (5:1-12) contrasts the materialistic and oppressive rich with the type of men we should be as we look forward to the coming of our Lord.

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What the world defines as success does not often coincide with what God considers successful. Rather than looking for earthly treasure, as Christians we must lay up for ourselves heavenly riches.

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Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 “and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).

Jesus revealed in his explanation of the Parable of the Sower that one of the real dangers threatening the faith of children of God is the inordinate desire for material things.

We certainly live in a rich society. Even families of the most modest means normally have such things as automobiles, homes, food, televisions, and now the ubiquitous cell phones.

Of course, none of these things, or the many toys, possessions and luxuries that many Christians enjoy are inherently sinful. They do, however, have a tendency to divert our attentions and priorities from that which is truly important.

Continue reading “The Deceitfulness of Riches” →