A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. Proverbs 18:11
There is something about wealth and riches that make men think that they are insulated from things normal men have to endure. They often use their money to avoid the troubles of the average man. Some pay bribes to officials so that they and their family do not have to be arrested or pay for tickets that have been given to them. But this is only deception. God will bring down the high wall and the fortress in which they put their trust.
There was such a man in the New Testament. In Luke chapter 12 we read about a rich man whose land was very productive. When a bumper crop came in, he wondered to himself what he should do with it. His decision was one that consisted of trusting in riches for his future. He decided to tear down his existing barns and build bigger ones to store all his food for himself. He truly saw his wealth as a strong city and a high wall behind which he could be safe. His imagination told him that when he gathered up all his wealth he would be protected and kept from the normal problems and indignities men usually faced. It was a nice illusion while it lasted. Problem was for him that it only lasted less than one hour.
God came to this safe and secure rich man and demanded of his his soul that very hour. God came to him and revealed to him the foolishness of his choices. He might have imagined that his money was his real future - but he forgot the one enemy money cannot buy off in the end. Death was coming to him - his soul was required of him - and there was absolutely nothing that his accumulated wealth could do for him in that moment. He did not choose to be "rich toward God," and in the end it cost him everything. Safety in wealth is just a bad illusion. The only safe place is in the center of God's will. We may think that our savings will protect us - but the only secure place to store up treasure is in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves cannot break in and steal.
You may think that your riches provide safety for you - but that is only your foolish imagination. It is only the lie of the devil and the siren song of the world that would lure you in to destroy you on the rocks of death and the grave. The only safe place is under the blood of Jesus. The only true wealth is the wealth that is stored up through our good works done in the name of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. All other wealth and safety are the epitome of illusory lies. They will disappear before your eyes at death just as the promising mirage of an oasis disappears before the dreaming eyes of the man who is dying of thirst in the desert.
There is something about wealth and riches that make men think that they are insulated from things normal men have to endure. They often use their money to avoid the troubles of the average man. Some pay bribes to officials so that they and their family do not have to be arrested or pay for tickets that have been given to them. But this is only deception. God will bring down the high wall and the fortress in which they put their trust.
There was such a man in the New Testament. In Luke chapter 12 we read about a rich man whose land was very productive. When a bumper crop came in, he wondered to himself what he should do with it. His decision was one that consisted of trusting in riches for his future. He decided to tear down his existing barns and build bigger ones to store all his food for himself. He truly saw his wealth as a strong city and a high wall behind which he could be safe. His imagination told him that when he gathered up all his wealth he would be protected and kept from the normal problems and indignities men usually faced. It was a nice illusion while it lasted. Problem was for him that it only lasted less than one hour.
God came to this safe and secure rich man and demanded of his his soul that very hour. God came to him and revealed to him the foolishness of his choices. He might have imagined that his money was his real future - but he forgot the one enemy money cannot buy off in the end. Death was coming to him - his soul was required of him - and there was absolutely nothing that his accumulated wealth could do for him in that moment. He did not choose to be "rich toward God," and in the end it cost him everything. Safety in wealth is just a bad illusion. The only safe place is in the center of God's will. We may think that our savings will protect us - but the only secure place to store up treasure is in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves cannot break in and steal.
You may think that your riches provide safety for you - but that is only your foolish imagination. It is only the lie of the devil and the siren song of the world that would lure you in to destroy you on the rocks of death and the grave. The only safe place is under the blood of Jesus. The only true wealth is the wealth that is stored up through our good works done in the name of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. All other wealth and safety are the epitome of illusory lies. They will disappear before your eyes at death just as the promising mirage of an oasis disappears before the dreaming eyes of the man who is dying of thirst in the desert.
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