Building Wealth

Build a better mousetrap and the world will make you richer than Croesus. Bill Gates mousetrap was called Microsoft operating software. Bill Walton’s mousetrap was called Wal-Mart stores. Steven Spielberg’s mousetrap was called Hollywood Movies. Everywhere you look there are Croesus clones running around the world building better mousetraps and building wealth taller than the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.! So – then what?

Some of you have seen a modern funeral procession. There is an arrangement of vehicles following in line. In front is a limousine carrying the newly deceased immediate family or closest of kin, followed by a hearse carrying the casket with the newly deceased inside of it and following that is a procession of automobiles of family and friends following the limousine. Together everyone is driving to the cemetery where the casket will be buried. To my knowledge there has never been a funeral procession where an armored truck is following the limousine carrying the deceased money and valuables. I believe Job said it best in the Old Testament when he uttered the words, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” Job 1:21

Believe me when I say, nobody takes anything out of this world! Rich or poor, whatever you have, you will leave it all behind. Gold or silver, trinkets or treasure, everything will be left to be divided after you depart this world. Sad but true isn’t it? Would you believe me if I told you that there is something you can do that will make a difference? Some people who are wealthy manage to will their treasure to worthwhile and charitable causes after they die. I believe God smiles on those individuals. But did you know that there is a loophole in “death benefits”? You can lay up treasure in heaven before you finish your bucket list!

Jesus contrasts heavenly values with earthly values when he explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out (Matthew 6:19-21).  We must not be fascinated and possessed with our possessions, lest they possess us.  Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contently with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting.  Let us be possessed by God’s love.  Jesus said in Mark 10:25 that it would be difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.  Why?  Many rich people meet their needs with money.  They become self-reliant, self-sufficient and their abundance becomes their deficiency.  Proverbs 23:4-5 says it best: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

Luke tells us that we can sell our possessions and give to the poor. Then you will provide for yourselves a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Building heavenly treasure!