Proverbs 22:1-2
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
The rich and the poor shake hands as equals— GOD made them both!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I admit it… I watch a lot of reality TV. But my excuse is that I do it “for research.” The truth is that I do learn a lot about human nature from these programs… particularly how ridiculous some people are willing to appear in order to have a few minutes of “fame” and recognition.
At the end of the day, many celebrities and celebrity wannabes come off looking so bad that nobody in their right mind would ever want to imitate them… and few would even want to associate with them – if even casually. Money does not translate into true wealth… and many who would be deemed poor by the standards of our present-day society are some of the richest people on the planet.
I won’t name any names here, but if you and I picture someone who is “rich,” there are a handful of people who come to mind. Their faces are plastered all over the headlines and magazine covers, and many aspire to be just like them. They want the wealth, fame, and recognition… and all of the trappings that go along with it. And “trappings” is a good description, because often, these poor people are trapped by the very things to which they aspired. Their money and notoriety are the things that bring them down, cause troubles and embarrassment, and in some cases… ruin their lives.
Money can be a blessing… but it can also be a curse. If money in your pocket causes you to overspend… become arrogant and ruthless… engage in things you wouldn’t otherwise do, like drinking, drugs, gambling and more… then you are truly anything but rich. If having to pinch pennies causes you to think carefully about how you live… to work hard to pay your bills and take care of your obligations to yourself, your family, and your church… and to focus more on building intangible wealth – relationships, reputation, service… then you are far richer than the man or woman who is at the top of the Forbes list!
My grandmother is one of the richest people I know. She has never had much money… for most of her “senior years,” she has lived on a meager monthly Social Security check – an amount that is probably less than many of you spend each month on clothes and fun activities! Yet she has more people who love her and care about her than anyone else I know. Her needs are always met… and then some. Because she always shared whatever she had with others… time, talents, food, clothing, shelter… and yes, money when she could… she is continually showered with blessings and gifts from those who adore her.
My grandmother’s bank account may be nearly empty, but her “spirit tank” is brimming full. One of her favorite sayings is, “The LORD will take care of me.” She has lived this day in and out… and she has truly trusted Him to do just that. And because of her faith, He has carried her through nearly 99 years. There have been bumps in the road… and there have been days when she wondered how she would pay her bills and put food on the table… but her faith never wavered. And neither should ours. I would stand my grandmother up beside the richest man in the world any day… and in God’s eyes, their value would be the same. Somehow, I think my grandmother’s “net worth” might even be higher, but in the presence of God, all believers are precious and valuable.
Where are you storing your treasure these days? What do you value? Is money and material wealth more important to you than building personal relationships and treating others as God would have you treat them? How are you honoring your responsibility to Him? Are you working hard to pay your bills and live in God’s will… and serving Him out of the abundance and blessings He sends your way? Isn’t it time you began? How rich are you in the eyes of others… and in the eyes of God?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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