When teaching against the love of money and pursuit of riches, Christian rhetoric often leans on the ‘True riches vs Worldly Wealth’ theme. The message is certainly grounded in scripture and I would never dream of challenging this truth.
10 “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. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
Luke 16:10-11
True Riches vs Worldly Wealth
This scripture is one hundred percent true and worthy of a study all on its own. However, this is not the scripture I want to examine today. Instead, I want to put the ‘True riches vs Worldly Wealth‘ rhetoric (not the Bible verse itself) under the microscope. It certainly is a noble sentiment; Christians should realize that Jesus and the true riches of his kingdom far outstrip earthly wealth. In fact, it is fair to say that any Christian should consider themselves the richest person in the world.
And yet…
While the above is all true, it does not help the single mom who is already holding down two jobs just to keep her children fed – and still coming up short most months. What her children really crave is her time and attention but these are luxuries she can’t afford to give them.
It does not help the Christian family facing foreclosure on their home because the main bread-winner recently lost their job in the economic down-turn.
Nor does it help the lady who was recently widowed and is now learning that she and her late husband are, in fact, drowning in debt – and after all those debts and funeral expenses are paid, she will have nothing left to live on.
In no way does this diminish the truth of Luke 16:10-11 – but to tell these people about True riches vs Worldly Wealth is little comfort and no more than an empty platitude.
Let’s consider…
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:14-17
James teaches us to show our faith through our actions. Yes, there is a time to tell Christians about True Riches vs Worldly Wealth but, in those moments of deepest hurt, they need hope and practical assistance to carry them through.
I wish I could financially support every struggling parent, every homeless family and every destitute widow out there – but I simply don’t have enough to go around.
All I have to offer is what I have learned from personal experience and a few, by and large, untaught Bible verses that offer practical wisdom on how to break free from the bondage of financial struggle.
My hope is that this will offer many struggling believers – who find themselves in a place of financial bondage – a vision and hope for the future. That it may offer a way forward and equip them with the knowledge that they need to break free and overcome.
Better yet, I hope that this opens the eyes of many sincere believers out there. That they will see the predicament to which culture-driven attitudes toward money has brought them. I hope that this will show them a better way – the way of Stewardship – so that, if disaster strikes, they will be prepared with the necessary skills, resources and Biblical knowledge to weather the storm.
Obviously, I can’t offer all the answers to such a complex problem in a single post. But search this blog, read the articles and, if you have a question, Contact Me or ping me a Message me on Facebook.
God bless.