“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22)
Those who have been born-again are saved from two things, the wrath of God and the power of sin, we have been justified by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
I do not claim to understand how the wrath of the Almighty abides on those who live in high towers and fine mansions, who fare sumptuously, having great wealth and power to fulfill their heart’s desires, but I do know that everyone who has been crucified with Christ has at least once in their lives desired to have that which they have. No one prays to be addicted to drugs and drink, no one asks to be consumed by the desires of the flesh.
Yet at times we still covet that which we believe would make life easier for us, make life more enjoyable, more satisfying and secure.
“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)
Money makes it easier to make the physical pain go away, the wealthy have no outstanding bills in this regard, it offers the opportunity to keep suffering at bay, it removes many of the worries of this life. And it offers a trap that few can escape from.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” (1st Cor. 1:26)
“And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?” (Luke 18:26)
I believe it is the rare person who can continue to serve the Living God while at the same time have great wealth, but I do not know with whom the battle of the flesh is greater, he who has that financial wherewithal, or the one who is indeed saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as well, who lives paycheck to paycheck, and the desire for wealth enters their mind on a fairly regular basis.
The man of wealth knows he cannot solve all the world’s problems, he knows he does not have enough money to give to everyone who is born-again so that they also may know what it means to not go without certain needs. He has no love of money, it is not his, but the Lords, and he realizes that, and so he must pray for wisdom, for in helping the wrong person, he may be enabling them and thus cause them to stumble.
Sometimes my friends, it is better to want something than to have it. Judas Iscariot learned this lesson far too late.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1st Cor. 10:13)
The way out of the temptation of the world’s wealth is contentment in what we have been blessed with, and many of those who live on the edge of poverty, who serve the Living God with all their heart, have learned that His grace is sufficient.
“And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” (Mark 12:43)
I pity the wealthy brother or sister in Christ in a way, for the turmoil of their mind must be great at times. They see so much suffering, yet can help so very few, and they must use great caution, for the temptation wealth can cause in those who do not have it can cause many sins to enter into their lives if they but taste of that wealth.
Here is the real question for you my friends, can you be happy for that person who has much, the one who has been blessed by the Almighty with the wealth of this world, who serves Him with all his heart as much as you do, while still remaining content in whatever place the Lord has set you in?
“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:22)
Covetousness has no place in the life of those who are hid in Christ, money is not the answer to your problems my friends, the Lord Jesus Christ is.
