Wealth
Proverbs 18:11-12
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. 12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
First Check
A Christian gave her first month salary to the Lord. Then she faithfully gave the tithes of God from her next monthly pay. Few months later she was laid off. Many years had passed, she reflected on her decision to give all the first month salary to the Lord and regularly give also the portion of God. Her heart is filled with praises and gratitude to God. Practically, she is blessed. And she committed also to serve the Lord whenever she can.
It’s really encouraging to hear testimony of Christians who’re growing in their faith. Naturally, our instinct is to satisfy human cravings. We work hard to financially support our material desires. But, when God’s grace is active in our life, we return with gladness the right portion of God.
How do you interpret in Ecclesiastes 10:19? 19A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.
Can you believe that money is the answer for everything? Ever since money was agreed as currency or medium of exchange for transaction, it turned into idol. Money can buy whatever we crave for. Surely, everyone wants more money to purchase whatever attracts the eyes.
A woman said that if she has no money, she is easily irritated. But if she can sell her products and have much money, she feels great. Indeed, employees work diligently to earn money and secure their retirement. Well, that’s very rational idea. If you have enough money when you grow old, you won’t worry much about future expenditures or how to finance your needs.
Many politicians are very rich but many of them still fall into graft and corruption. Why do they want more money when they are already rich? In most cases, politicians know that graft and corruption are illegal. If they were charged for illegal activities, they need money to defend themselves.
1. Defense
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
High walls serve as defense from possible invaders. Building high walls require manpower and resources. Higher walls cost more money.
In the past, they build high walls to prevent invaders from easy take over. The great wall of China was built for such purpose, for defense.
The walls of Jericho, the walls of Jerusalem were also built to secure their city. Prosperous cities build walls. Money is like defensive wall for the rich.
It is practical necessity to have much money or to build high wall for defense, and high walls of prison can also prevent prisoners inside the prison enclosure from easy escape out. The wall of Berlin was built to prevent East German people from fleeing to the western territories.
History tells that high walls cannot completely defend people inside it. Prisoners can even escape from high walled prisons. Similarly, money cannot defend even the rich. Wealth cannot defend corrupt politicians.
Together, let’s reflect on Jeremiah 49:4-5, 4Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’ 5I will bring terror on you from all those around you,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. “Every one of you will be driven away, and no one will gather the fugitives.
The Ammonites were proud of their wealth. They boasted about their wealth. Maybe they thought that they were safe from outside assault. They did not know that their pride attracted the fury of the Lord. Then, the Lord anointed King Nebuchadnezzar to destroy proud nations including Amon.
Much money can expose how proud a person could be. Professional basketball players earn million dollars annually. Many of them would buy the best sports car they can afford. They want to be ahead of others. Most of them are caught over speeding. Yet without financial education, millions of dollars cannot save the proud from bankruptcy. Interesting, isn’t it?
Million dollar earners can be victimized by their own prodigality and recklessness. But can minimum wage earner retire with adequate money? Certainly, money cannot control the future. It declares in 1 Samuel 2:7-8,
7The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
Hannah, the mother of Prophet Samuel testified to her experience with the Lord. She was mocked for not having a child. But she prayed, and God gave her Samuel, 3 more sons and 2 daughters. Samuel became powerful leader of Israel. Those who mocked Hannah may have been scared that she would retaliate. God humbles and exalts anyone he chose.
Warning: Those who mocked others attract their own downfall.
2. Downfall
12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
They can be proud of themselves, but they attract their own downfall.
Many boxers are very proud. They have so much confidence in their ability. They may call their pride as fighting spirit just to raise their confidence.
Yet, it is proven time and time again. Proud people are doomed to be humiliated. Would it not be far better to be humble and to be honored later?
Haughty Heart
Personally, I experienced practically this downfall of haughty heart. When I was 10 years old, I wanted to prove that I was good at climbing tree. I climb to the top of a tree to get the best fruit that other children can’t reach. The following morning, I woke up in the hospital. I fall from the tree.
Our heavenly Father loves us his children. At times when we become haughty and proud, he would allow us to be embarrassed. He arranged events or situations we cannot appreciate just to build in us a godly virtue of humility. In humility, we kneel down to pray and seek God’s help.
Self-sufficiency breeds pride that may push us away from the Lord. Are you experiencing some kind of difficult struggle? Do you feel like God has forsaken you? Check your heart and cry out to God. He won’t ignore a contrite heart. We can learn from Jesus Christ on how we should humble behave as children of God. Let’s reflect on Philippians 2:5-11, 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God won’t prevent it, if we want to get rich. Actually, God gives also wisdom on how make wealth. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Job, Daniel were all wealthy but they were also humble. Humility is a well known character of God’s children. And our Lord Jesus Christ exemplified it.
To be proud of riches is tantamount to dependence on money as idol. Money is good but it should cause us to be grateful and praise God. Why? God gave life, health, safety, acquaintances and opportunities to prosper. By faith, we believe that everything we have comes from God. Praise God!
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