The parable in Luke 12:16-21 that talks about the rich man, packs a lot of punch for people like me, though I don’t stockpile money, I do stockpile stuff. I always want the better lens, the better flash, the bigger camera, the lighter tripod, the faster computer. I have been extremely blessed in what I do have and I must learn not only to be content with it but also not to stockpile it, but to use it in such a way as to become rich towards God.
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘ “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 towards God.” Luke 12:16-21
One day, this life of mine will end and I’ll leave a lot behind, but what matters most to me isn’t what I’ve left behind but what will be waiting for me, what have I stored up in heaven? What have I done to become rich towards God? What does it mean to be rich towards God you ask? Well put it in other terms. What does it mean to be rich in worldly terms? It means you’ve worked hard, stockpiling riches and possessions. You’ve probably got a nice car, nice clothes, a beautiful house, and a great job to go to. In the same way to be rich towards God means you’ve worked hard, using your time and energy seeking after Him. You’ve probably given up the nice car, clothes, house, and job just to follow Him. I’m not saying you can’t have both, I’m just saying both can’t have you.
Photograph by Tyler A. van der Hoeven
God must come first and last, not just in the front row of your life, but filling it all, front to back, with no place held back from His hand. Any possessions you do have, or money you save and set aside is not only under his Lordship but it is your earnest desire and prayer that He take them and use them for His glory. You’re not splitting your possessions up with God’s half over here and your half over there. It’s all His and you pray and wrestle with joy over how to use and spend it best to show forth His glory to those around you.
Right now I’m wrestling over whether or not to buy a Speedlite Flash to expand my flash photography. I want one, I could use one, I could take better pictures with one, but did God provide me with that $400 to spend it in that way? So I pray, wrestle, and wait for the Lord to answer. I may make the wrong choice, I may blow it again, like I did with my Trek 6700, but that’s just the time God likes to come in; when the milks on the floor and the glasses are all broken. He loves that sheepish look on my face when I look to him, so sorry for the mess I’ve made. He loves to come in, and take my mess, and turn it into something beautiful, and then open all the doors so that the whole world can see it and be amazed.
Thought For The Day
Let me encourage us all to work towards becoming richer towards God. Let us spend those resources that cannot save souls in such a way as to be a tool in the hands of the God who can, take what we have and use it to bring someone to know the Gospel of Christ and His Saving Grace.
2 thoughts on “How to Become Rich Towards God”
I am wiser now because I read this. Thank you Jesus!
A good testament to the Holy Spirit bearing good fruit in us is self-control. Thanks for the encouragement.