Standing Against the Lure of Riches
Who do you admire most? Who would you want to be if you could be someone else?
How you honestly answer these questions will go a long way in determining what you truly value. When I was a kid, I would have said Johnny Bench or Bon Griese or Larry Csonka. Today, my answer is pretty simple. I’m honestly good with just being average old me.
Are you good with being you? Or do you demand more from God than what He’s graciously allotted?
There’s no denying we live and minister in a culture that is obsessed with the rich and famous. As a nation, we spend an excessive amount of time keeping with Hollywood stars, pop stars, and professional athletes via Instagram and other modes of social media. Why? Because we want what they have. At least to some degree.
While not everyone is motivated by the prospect of making an exorbitant amount of money, there are aspects of the rich and famous lifestyle that most of us find appealing (e.g., luxury, free time, convenience, travel, the illusion of no worries).
Personally, I’ve never found money to be a successful motivator. My heart isn’t naturally drawn to money. Salary has never been the primary reason I’ve accepted any job. In fact, now that I really think about, in the vast majority of my career moves I’ve actually taken less money than what I was paid previously. One high paying job I left because it was a miserable place to work.
Nonetheless, I’m not free from the love of the many things money can buy. In my younger years, I longed to be a famous athlete. I didn’t care about big contracts that promised millions of dollars. I was far more consumed with the desire to be adored by fans. To be famous. In all honesty, I wanted to be an idol. To be blunt, I wanted to be worshipped.
The only way I knew how to be admired was to be famous. Not rich necessarily. Just famous.
But according to Ecclesiastes 5:10, the one who loves money, including the things money can seemingly deliver, will not be satisfied with money or with what money can provide. Scripture is clear, riches do not equal happiness. Money repeatedly fails to provide the contentment it promises. In fact, more often than not, money leads to greed and increasing levels of covetousness.
The persistent acquisition of material possessions does not satisfy our deepest longings. Materialism, in all of its forms, merely feeds our insatiable hunger for more. The bottom line is easy to understand. The love of money will never satisfy.
While it certainly is not a sin to be rich, money is not neutral. You’re foolish if you believe otherwise. Scripture indicates that the reckless accumulation of wealth is almost always a spiritual liability. As others have rightly noted, the most dangerous love affair may very well be the one many of us are having with money. Riches are deceitful and can never deliver on its promises.
One persecuted Romanian pastor who was serving behind the Iron Curtain said, “In my experience, 95 percent of the believers who face the test of persecution pass it, while 95 percent who face the test of prosperity fail it.” (Quoted in Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn).
Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, had plenty of money and possessions, but he was miserable. From Solomon’s own testimony, we learn materialism is a vain attempt to find joy, peace, meaning, and purpose apart from God. Materialism is chasing the wind. No one succeeds when he or she vainly pursues riches.
Rather than expending vital time and energy chasing money, learn to live content with Christ and His provisions. Here are five practical suggestions to help you develop a biblical attitude of contentment:
1. Cultivate an inward and outward simplicity.
By God’s grace, my desire to be famous is long gone. Today, I enjoy being anonymous far too much to be famous. I find great comfort in not having to deal with the burden of fame. Also, the older I get the more possessions have lost their appeal. I’ve learned to accept a life of simplicity. And for me, it’s been a refreshing development.
2. Stop using material possessions as a means to impress others.
Someone will always have a nicer house, a fancier car with more gadgets, or a faster telephone with a nicer camera. Let me ask you a simple question. Who cares? If you are defined by your possessions, you’re going to be forever trying to keep up with the Joneses. Stop judging your value by what you own. Your value is in Christ—not money or possessions.
3. Develop a habit of giving rather than receiving.
We are all aware of sweet sentiment, “It’s better to give than to receive.” While this may sound like empty sentimentalism, this is actually a true statement. We are not primarily called by God to be receivers. Instead, we are to be conduits of God’s grace to others. And this includes our riches.
4. Be thankful for what God provides.
Contentment is a side effect of thankfulness. When we are satisfied and thankful for what God has graciously provided, we will experience contentment. When we reach the place where we are genuinely content with the life God has provided, we will no longer fall prey to the temptation of materialism (i.e., the love of money).
5. Recognize God as the giver of all things.
Pride keeps us from acknowledging God as the gracious giver of all things. It’s difficult to be thankful to the Lord when we wrongly assume we have met our own needs. God is the one who gives us the ability, strength, and opportunity to provide for our families. There is nothing in this world that we can take credit for. All praise, honor, and glory belong to God.
No matter how much money a person has, there will always be the potential of desiring more. Work hard to keep life simple. Most importantly, seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). Your heavenly Father knows your needs, and He will care for you. Please don’t make life more complicated by seeking material wealth above the things of God!
No amount of money can produce the joy and contentment that is only found in an intimate relationship with the Lord. Remember, when it comes to the accumulation of riches, satisfaction is never guaranteed. Lasting life, meaning, joy, purpose, and satisfaction are only found in Christ.