True Riches

by Raymund Tamayo

The pursuit of material wealth affects both rich and poor. In different levels, it is likely that the poor want to get rich while the rich want to get richer. Some try to accomplish that at the expense of his or her own values and character.

Some people pursue riches to have more influence and power while others chase wealth for security, happiness, and self-fulfillment. There are many reasons why people want to accumulate more money and it ranges from something as simple as providing for the family to a much deeper meaning such as reaching a feeling of success.

It is okay to have material wealth, but...

However, it is important to recognize what true riches are if we want to follow God’s will and purpose for our lives.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus Christ instructed not to store treasures on earth, which are temporary, but rather accumulate treasures in heaven, which are enduring. He did not say that having material stuff is wrong, but hoarding them out of selfish desires is.

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." - Matthew 6:24

Material riches per se is not evil, a person’s attitude towards it is the difference. The Lord Jesus is clear on what should be the attitude towards wealth. We need money to live, but we do not love and serve it.

We cannot profess that we love God and then say that we love money as well. Our hearts cannot be divided in this matter as it will prevent us from growing spiritually. One has to take a clear stand on this subject in order to love, worship, and serve God according to His will.

The deceitfulness of earthly wealth

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus warned against the deceitfulness of earthly wealth.

"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful." - Matthew 13:22

Jesus said that the "deceitfulness of wealth" chokes His Word, which results in it being unfruitful. When we are preoccupied about pursuing material wealth, it will be hard for the truth of God's Word to penetrate our hearts. It is not to say that material things are wrong, but seeking them out of selfish desires is.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:10-12

The Apostle Paul also warned us that the love of money is the beginning of all kinds of sin and that a “man of God” should avoid loving money and should instead “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”, which are true riches.

I pray for God to help us determine what the true riches from the false ones are as we continue to discover and fulfill His purpose for our lives.