Wealth can be measured in a few different ways. Net worth – adding up all the assets and earning power of an individual is one way to measure wealth. Another way is spiritual wealth. Our God encourages us to store up treasures in heaven. He warns us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.
Let’s consider Don Tober. There are no stats on his net worth, but the “Sweet-n-Low” magnate was reported to have sold his sweetener to 80% of all restaurants in the nation. I couldn’t find out any information on his practicing religion, if he had any. However this past week he jumped off of his million-dollar apartment in New York ending his life. Reaching the point of the despair is surely a spiritual low point. This is tragic news. Anyone thinking of hurting themselves should seek help. You can reach out to me HERE or HERE is the website and phone number for the national suicide prevention hotline.
The reason I bring this up is because one of the major complaints in America is that we don’t have enough money. Or, said differently, if we only had more money X, Y, or Z problem would go away. For some problems this is true! If we have enough money, we can afford to buy enough food, pay for housing, and provide for our family. The problem with this line of thinking can be found in Proverbs 18 – The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. I have to confess that I have fallen into this line of thought too.
Money can’t buy fulfillment. Money can’t buy love. Worst of all – money can’t quiet a guilty conscience. Jesus talks about how difficult it is for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle. The disciples get a little worried and wonder out loud if this is true, how can anyone be saved. Saving faith is a miracle of the Holy Spirit. With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Want to hear more? …including a discussion on the connection between our spiritual and physical health? Watch this week’s study of Ancient Wisdom for 2021: Wealth.
Please click HERE to check out the Bible class slides.
You can find all of the Bible classes from our series Ancient Wisdom for 2021 HERE.