I was sitting down with a good friend today and the topic arose about wealth’s two extremes. Specifically, we were discussing how wealthy people either are doing good things with their money, or evil things.
The revelation is that wealth doesn’t necessarily lead to a better life. It can be a curse if in the wrong hands. Some people work too hard at trying to obtain wealth – only to frivolously spend it on their selfish desires. In the right hands, however, money can do amazing things. We’ve all heard stories of older people who have gifted unimaginable amounts of money to those in need. They do so with righteous intentionality, and reflect God in the process.
So, what are wealth’s two extremes? Wealth takes who we are on the inside and accelerates us down the road we’ve already chosen. Wealth is a tool that can be used for good or evil. If we are good, good will result from our wealth; if bad, bad will result.
This is a call to keep our lives in check at every turn. God doesn’t purpose that we be selfish with our wealth, but rather be generous and giving. It all starts with us. How are we going to live? How are we going to be faithful in the small things?
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. -Luke 16:10 NIV
Can we be trusted with the little things? Are we faithful with how we spend every dollar? Do we spend with a sense of responsibility or do we spend with a sense of urgency?
All of these are questions we must ask ourselves throughout every stage of this money game. Whether rich or poor, we must be responsible and trustworthy with what we have NOW so we can be the same with what we have LATER.
Now there’s only one question left to answer: What extreme will you be taken to?
! John wrote two articles for the book: "Budgeting for Groceries" and "How Grocery Stores Work."
