Wealth Soars Away

What if you had money to burn and you burned through it quick as possible? 

You just might get your name in the Bible and leave a legacy for others. Stop everything – somebody has already provided us with an example to follow. Are we following the example God provided, or are we determined to not only ignore the example, but set another example for the world to mimic?

Almost everybody is aware of the story of the prodigal son. To refresh your memory, there was a wealthy man with two sons. The younger son asked for his inheritance early and the father gave him his portion. The son went into a far country and spent the money as fast as possible. When the money was all gone, he had to take a job feeding pigs to earn money. Thoroughly disgusted with himself, he returned home to beg forgiveness from his father and was welcomed with love and open arms. The pinnacle of happy endings.

What do you suppose the story was really about? Let’s look a little closer. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day, and they disdained publicans and sinners. God told several parables to show God’s interest in them. The prodigal son was all about the Pharisees. For all intents and purposes, the Pharisees were as lost as the poor prodigal son. He became independent and self-centered, ignoring any advice and sinking deeper. Sound like anyone you know?

The prodigal son finally came to his senses when he had suffered the lowest possible humiliation as a Jew, feeding pigs! But he decided to return to his father and tell him, I have sinned and beg forgiveness. Acknowledging one’s personal responsibility for sin is the first step toward reconciliation with God. While the older brother became angry, his attitude was the same as the Pharisees. He reflected self-righteousness. Do you see the big picture now? God is represented by the father who welcomes back a repenting sinner. Like the earthly father, our heavenly Father waits patiently, with loving compassion to restore us when we return to him with humble hearts.

Who are you in this story?  Are you a prodigal son, Pharisee or a servant?  Are you a rebellious child lost from God?  Have you come to your senses?  Has an abundance or lack of money divided, corrupted, driven you to the brink? This parable of the prodigal son is a story about God’s redemptive grace and mercy.  It is a story about unconditional love and forgiveness.

The love of money is deceitful, tricky, dirty, manipulative, the root of much evil.  Be careful that it does not control you and everyone around you.   We cannot love God with all our hearts and yet keep our money to ourselves.  Loving him totally means using our money in ways that please him.  In Matthew 19:18-19 Jesus spoke to a rich man, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself”. The rich man responded: “All these I have kept, what do I lack?”  Jesus answered: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come follow me”. Matthew 19:21 When the rich man heard this, he turned his back on Jesus and walked away sad, because he had great wealth.  He couldn’t bear to part with his treasure.  Bear in mind, Jesus could have said “Okay, how about selling off 95% of your wealth?  What about 85%?  Alright then, what would you be willing to part with?”  After all, he is God, and he made the rules, he can change them.  But God didn’t!  God knew that the young rich man had to know whom to worship.  He had to let the man walk away.  Faith in Christ, not in self riches, is what counts.  On what are you counting for salvation? 

Christ told several parables to show God’s interest in those who are lost.  Want to keep your wealth from soaring away; lay up treasure in heaven!