The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Who is Richer?"
George begins his day on a financial website, checking his investments in order to make decisions regarding his wealth.
John begins his day in the pages of Scripture, also checking his investments in order to make decisions regarding his wealth.
Both are successful in their endeavors. But who is richer? John's Bible answers.
"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" (Proverbs 16:16).
John is richer, by far. He seeks God's wisdom and understanding at the outset of the day, whereby he is able to skillfully invest "the unsearchable riches of Christ" in his own heart, life, and sphere of influence (Ephesians 3:8). Now this is not to say that George commits wrong by seeking to properly manage his earthly investments. Scripture does not say that money is the root of all evil, but rather that "the love of money is the root of all evil" (I Timothy 6:10). Properly possessed and used, riches can serve God and people in wonderful ways. Note that the Apostle Paul did not call the wealthy to give all their possessions away, but rather to gratefully enjoy them, and most importantly, to wisely and generously use their riches to benefit others:
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate" (I Timothy 6:10).
It is fine for George to manage his possessions, so long that he realizes they are actually God's possessions. "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds" (Proverbs 27:23). George serves as their steward (oh what peace await's George's heart if he will realize this!). It will, however, be far better if he begins his day before the Book and at the throne of grace where "unsearchable riches" abide forevermore. In this sense, John is the wealthier man, graced with much wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. George is distracted, but if he will realize the truth and begin his day in the light of the living Word, Christ, and the written Word, the Bible, much grace - and much incorruptible wealth of the heart - awaits. Yes, John is richer, richer by far, because he remembers the warning and promise of the Savior…
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
(Matthew 6:19-21)
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
(Colossians 3:1-2)
Weekly Memory Verse
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place.
(II Corinthians 2:14)
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