The Snare of Wealth
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? -Job 21:13-15
Here’s a very honest appraisal of the wicked who are wealthy. Job doesn’t mince words: he makes it clear that because of their wealth and prosperity, they feel no need to seek after God. “[T]hey say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways…” (Job 21:14).
It should be clarified that wealth in and of itself isn’t wrong, yet when we allow it to become a security blanket for us, and we loose our dependency and trust in God, it is rightfully deemed to be a snare. For the wealthy man says of God in his heart, “what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” (Job 21:15b). And it’s true: if we already have everything we could ever want, why would we need God? Why would we ever pray to Him? (Much less serve Him…)
A snare of old
Riches and wealth were a snare to the church at Laodicea back when the apostle John wrote to them. They were trusting in their own resources rather than God’s:
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. -Revelation 3:17-18
God helps the meek
One of the foundational truths of the gospel is the need for man to recognize his need for a savior. If his soul is in no danger, either now, nor in the life to come, than what shall he be saved from? How is Jesus Christ a savior? What has He saved mankind from?
But rather, we ought to see through the temporal and fleeting glitter of material wealth, ease, and prosperity; looking instead unto eternity. Else when we think that we’re in high-standing due to our wealth and renown, we’re exposed to be of the poorest standing with God.
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. -Mark 2:17
Related posts:
Leave a Reply