1. We spend it all and get into debt
"The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get."
-Proverbs 21:20 (New Living Translation)
When we fall into debt we become servants to the lender (see Proverbs 22:7). The creditor becomes our master and we are forced to cede control of our income to him.
Here's the only debt we should have - the debt of love that we owe to each other.
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
-Romans 13:8 (New International Version)
2. We hoard our wealth
Placing our security on financial assets will lead to destruction.
"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."
-Proverbs 11:28 (New International Version)
We turn arrogant and prideful. We look down on the poor. We crave and relish the power that our wealth brings. Making money becomes an addiction and we will never be satisfied (see Ecclesiastes 5:10). Paul's had a specific instruction for Timothy regarding the rich :
"Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life."
-1 Timothy 6:17-19 (The Message)
The love of money destroys our lives and the lives of others. This should be our attitude and prayer regarding wealth :
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD ?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
-Proverbs 30:8-9 (New International Version)
God gives us the ability to produce wealth so that we will be able to obtain what we need in order to live. When we use the money that we make in this way, we avoid the two extremes - debt and hoarding wealth. And we will honor God with what we have.
A question to think about : why then should we save and invest? Clearly it is the wise thing to do but how do we avoid falling into the sin of trusting in our wealth instead of God who provides all things?
An answer is coming in the next post....
Peace!
