THE ART OF INVESTING
Inherent Dangers of Wealth
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (HCSB)
Most of us think that poverty is the biggest problem of our day. It is or has been a major concern for most every nation on the earth. It has dominated much of the political landscape. It reached a melting point in our society on January 8, 1964 with the State of the Union address by then President Lyndon B. Johnson. He urged congress to pass the Economic Opportunity Act which was unofficially known as the “War on Poverty”. The poverty rate then was 19% and today, after 50 years fighting this “war” and spending trillions of dollars, the poverty rate in the USA in 2011 was about 15.9%. However, what is more striking to me is in 1964 the children in poverty was about 23% and today it is 22%. I hope someone will dare ask the question, “If money is not the answer, what is?”
The old expression “You can’t see the forest for the trees” has tremendous significance here. Sometimes we must step back from a problem to see the bigger picture. The better question to ask might be “Is there a bigger problem than poverty?” The answer is a resounding YES! The problem has never been the divide between the rich and the poor, but the great divide between God and man. The greater our society is separated from God the greater our society will be separated from each other.
We need to heed the warning found in Deuteronomy 8:12-14, “When you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” I know you probably thinking that if our silver and gold increased we would not have the problem of poverty in this country, but you would be wrong.
Paul was instructing Timothy on how to teach the people in the church. He said in 1 Timothy 6:17, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Paul was telling Timothy of some of the inherent dangers in having wealth that are important for us to remember today. First, do not be conceited, that is to say, do not think too highly of yourself. Another way to put it is not to look down on others who do not have what you have. The second is not to place your trust, your hope, on the uncertainty of money. Both of these create a danger that separates us from God. They gives us a false sense of value of who we are in light of who God is and they encourage us to be more self-centered that ever before. It is called PRIDE.
Moreover, it will separate us from each other as we begin thinking that we are better than someone else. The more self-centered we become the greater the divide. The more self-centered we are the greater the poverty. We dare not forget God. He is the one in whom we can place our hope for He is the God “who richly provides us with all things to enjoy”.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
Please forgive me when I have thought too much of myself and too little of You and others. Help me to live with a right perspective that I might enjoy what you have given by knowing the greatest joy is in serving You by serving others. I place my trust, my hope in You. In Jesus Name, Amen.