There is a story about a wealthy man who had so much food and valuables that he ran out of room to store them
all. To keep his many possessions, he tore down his existing storage buildings and built much greater storage facilities. Upon completion, the rich man beamed with pride and boastfully stated, “I have plenty of food and possessions to last for many years, I will just sit back and relax, eat, drink, and have a good time.”
Little did the man know, that very night he died and lost everything. He went down in history entitled, “The Rich Fool”. This story is actually found in the Bible, and God answered the boastful man saying, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20, 21).
In Matthew 6:19-21, God instructs us to, “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 not corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
We are called to invest in heaven, not upon earth. In other words, use the money that God has given us to help spread the gospel to others, assist needy people, and support the workers in ministry. God tells us not to worry about our temporal needs, He will always take care of His children. His promises will never fail.
The rich man depicts many people in society today. Many feel that they are free to use their wealth however they see fit, and rely solely on their possessions for their future well-being. We all must give an account of how we used the money and talents that God has entrusted to us. We will be very ashamed if all we can say is, “I used the money for my own enjoyment.” Jesus will soon come back again. There will be a time when it will be too late to give of our possessions and wealth. If money was not used wisely, it will not only be wasted, but it will become as a mountain to crush us. We will lose our own salvation and eternal life. It is a very serious matter.
Let us all be faithful and responsible with the possessions and finances that God has entrusted to us. Be willing to sacrifice for God’s cause. Let us keep our treasure in heaven, which will last for eternity.
Ly Lan Nguyen
