The Problem with Wealth

Which one of us wouldn’t want to win the lottery – even if we don’t play it! No financial worries is at least an unspoken goal in life if not spoken. Yet, more money may not be the answer…

When two brothers are arguing over inheritance, Jesus refuses to be arbitrator. Instead, he gives us a good look at how God views wealth. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 Then he tells a story of a rich man who has such a good year with his crops he goes about building bigger barns to put it in. The man is looking forward to retiring and taking it easy and living off of his vast wealth. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20

Jesus then turns from the crowd of onlookers and begins to teach his disciples about wealth. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” Luke 12:22 But God, I don’t like to be hungry and I like to have nice looking clothes. I don’t want to wear rags.

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:24-26 Is God telling me I don’t need to work or that all I need to do is sit around and wait for him to feed me?

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! Luke 12:17-18 Is my faith dependent upon my willingness to not work to provide clothing for myself?

“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:29-30 That’s better! At least he recognizes that we need some of these things.

I wonder, though, if we need as much as we think we need. Wealth in this world is never satisfied. If you have thousands, you want hundreds of thousands. And if you have hundreds of thousands, you want millions. And if you have millions, you want billions. And on and on we go seeking after more wealth. And to what end? We can never spend it all – and like the man in the story Jesus told, we may not live to spend even part of it. So why are we so consumed with it?

Jesus goes on to say to his disciples, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34

I wonder, then, about what it means to store up wealth in this world. Is Jesus telling us we shouldn’t have a retirement account? Is he telling us we shouldn’t own a home? Is he telling us we shouldn’t have more than a couple of shirts or dresses? What does it mean to sell our possessions and give to the poor? And why are people starving in so many parts of the world – even Christians? If God is looking out for them, why are they dying?

These are questions that can shake our faith. I don’t believe there are easy answers or that one answer fits everyone. But there is a very poignant statement made by Jesus regarding treasure: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 I think we can reverse the order and agree that where our heart is, that is where we will find our treasure as well. If I am focused on worldly wealth, all of my decisions will be made so that I can gain more of it. If I am focused on the things that matter to God – his kingdom, loving my neighbor, caring for those in need, sharing his freedom with those in bondage – my decisions will reflect God’s heart and daily invite others to find their treasure in him as well.

It seems to me that in the kingdom of God there should not be need. We should be sharing freely with each other so everyone has enough. It has been said that there is plenty of food to go around and no one in this world should be starving. The reason people are dying of starvation is because of the greed and hording of wealth by others. God has provided, but we fail to share as he intends for us to do. “Do not be afraid, little flock…” I need to trust God, loosen the grip on my wealth so others may live, and seek the greatest treasure of all – the kingdom of God.