Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Psalms 39:6
Who doesn’t want wealth? Scripture talks about how the “love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10), but is money itself bad? No. In fact, Ecclesisastes 10:19 tells us that “money answereth all things.”
I see no virtue in poverty, although the poor always have a special place in God’s heart.
Heaping up riches
Jesus tells us the story of a rich man who heaped up riches. He had so much bounty that he could not contain it in his present warehouse space. Rather than sharing his surplus with the poor, the man wanted to accumulate even more wealth.
This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luke 12:18
Jesus concludes the story by echoing Psalms 39:6:
God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luke 12:20
Who will gather your riches?
Today’s text reminds us of the temporal nature of life. You won’t live forever. Also, scripture reminds us you cannot take your wealth with you when you die.
Whether it’s the government, children, a charity, a thief, or other entity, someone else will have your wealth when you’re gone.
Response
Respond to our text by properly prioritizing wealth in your life. Yes, money answers all things, so you need money. Setting your heart to gain unprecedented wealth, however, will cause a disappointing end. Instead, set your heart upon things above and be content with the riches God gives you.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 6:19-20
