There were in Old Testament times men of God to whom God gave much material wealth. There was Job with his host of sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys. There was also Solomon, who was an extremely rich man. And today there are children of God who have more luxurious homes, more beautiful clothes, and more effective means of transportation than those Solomon had. All this is well. It is God's gift. But what counts is the gift of spiritual riches. Jesus expressed this very plainly in Luke 12:21 , when He concluded His parable about a foolish rich man, who was an unbeliever, who lost all his earthly goods, because God took away his life. Concerning him Jesus said, "So is he that layeth up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God." That man had said to his soul, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." He went into the everlasting torment of hell! He could not take with him the smallest part of the earthly treasures, which he had not received as that wherewith to serve God.
Here we are taught to be, first of all and very seriously concerned with being rich spiritually, with blessings from the hand of God through His Son and His cross. What counts is whether we are rich toward God, not how much earthly treasure we have for a short period of time. What counts is what we will have everlastingly after we have left this life which is a continual death. What counts is not what we have materially in this present life, but what we will receive when this life ends, and our souls go to their everlasting goal. Our bodies for a while will be in the grave; and then earthly treasures will mean nothing to them.
Let us then seek the kingdom of God. Jesus applied this parable with the words, "Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Read: Luke 12:11-31 .
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezekiel 16:42-63; Ezekiel 17:1-24
Hebrews 8:1-13
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 27:7-9
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Quote for Reflection:
“…do we attend to the Word with reverential devotion? When the judge is giving his charge from the bench, all attend. When the Word is preached, the great God is giving us His charge. Do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death?” -T. Watson
