The Deceitfulness of Riches

The Deceitfulness of Riches

“The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” Matt. 13:22.

We must be alive to the eternal fruits awaiting us at the end of our life so we are not fooled by the visible things and thus lose our reward. If we continue to increase our earthly riches, our riches in heaven will decrease. People speculate about the best way of investing their money at the highest possible interest rate. They tie up their money in banks with long-term investments in stocks and real estate. Others are stewards over their money, and they depart this life a poor man. These investments can also create great difficulties for relatives when it comes to dividing up an inheritance. The desire to possess and manage as many earthly goods as possible is a terrible deception. You think you are wise, but you are actually very foolish. You are renouncing your right to decide over eternal values. You will not receive a reward as a faithful steward.

“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:11. “‘You cannot serve God and mammon.’ Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” Vs. 13-14.

Lovers of money are not inclined to receive an exhortation about giving. Their money is not free to be used immediately according to how God works—regardless of how rich they are.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt. 6:19-21. It is wise to have your heart anchored in imperishable riches, which will follow you to the eternal habitations. We should be exceedingly thankful to have food and clothing and a place to live, and then we must see to it that the end of our life will be rich.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21. As it says in a song, “What do you choose now?”

If we want to be rich in this world we will plunge into ruin and destruction. 1 Tim. 6:9. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” V. 10.

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Vs. 17-19.

The wise virgins lay hold of the true life, the true riches, the eternal treasures. They see to it that their reward is still coming to them. Instead of plunging down, going astray, and piercing themselves with many sorrows, they are raised up to a glorious life of peace and joy, together with an unshakable hope. The foolish virgins are left behind in darkness together with their uncertain riches.

James writes prophetically about how it will go with the rich who have withheld the pay of the laborer, while they live in luxury after their lusts. Their riches will rot and rust away. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!” Read James 5:1-6. The rich have never had to suffer such harsh judgment as in these last days. Anxiety over the possibility of thieves breaking in and stealing their riches makes them hide their riches in so-called “safes.” But even those safes have been broken into, and the rich pierce themselves with many sorrows.

“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” Luke 16:9. People in the world understand practical Christianity. You can win them with some money or with some other earthly goods to be your eternal friend. That is a very profitable business.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17.

Do not let any power of deception lead you away from these true words and the true riches. Only what is born of God overcomes the world and the things in the world, and “this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4. May faith always be coupled with obedience to all the Word of God, and in this connection we ought to pay special attention to this word: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38. “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Rev. 22:12.

Many of the friends have acted wisely and have received grace to help build up meeting places—with both their bodies and their money—in the different countries so the body of Christ can be built up in preparation for Christ’s return. May God continue to give grace and the means to be part of this work. The mission work that is going on among us on a high and holy plane is very important, and it is a great grace to be granted the privilege of having a part in it.