The Choice is Yours

Scripture Text : Matthew 19:16 –30

AIt is often said that ‘money is the root of all evil’. Strangely, many people are still obsessed with accumulating wealth. Is this because the rich are often highly esteemed but not the upright or the poor? For this reason, accumulating wealth has become an obsession to some. The story of the rich young man whom Jesus was relating to is a fine example of this. The young man was not only rich but he was known to be an upright and religious man. However, the Bible tells us that when he had to make a choice regarding wealth, he sadly chose to give up eternity in order to hang on dearly to his wealth.

From this story, we as Christians can draw some lessons on how we should view wealth.

(1) Wealth in any form can be a blessing or a curse

Wealth can be a curse when it possesses us and becomes our idol. If we idolise money, how can we say that ‘we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind? However, wealth can become a blessing if we treat it as if we are trustees of it. God has given us money so that we can learn to be good stewards of it. This means that we should manage the money well, using it as the Lord directs. Having money will then be a blessing rather than a curse which would be the case if we allow money to “manage” us and develop a selfish, self-centered and hording attitude as a result.

(2) We are not giving God money but we are giving back to God a portion that He has so richly blessed us with

The wealth that God has given us is not to be used solely for our purposes. It is given to us to be used by God for His purposes. We need to constantly humble ourselves and ask the Spirit to help us serve God in our wealth. In addition to giving back money, we need to consider how to use our talents and gifts that God has blessed us with, for His kingdom. This does not mean that we have to give up our entire life to be in full-time ministry. We should ask God how we can serve Him in what we are working at now.

(3) We are not to forget the poor when we have great wealth

We are reminded in the story that we are to love our neighbours as ourselves. Our neighbours also include the poor. Good deeds such as helping the poor do not earn us a place in Heaven as our salvation is by Grace and not by works. However, we must always remember the great sacrifice that Jesus has set for us as an example. We must bear in mind that good deeds must not be mere acts but must be acts from the heart. We respond to Christ’s love by being like Him, by allowing good deeds to authentically flow from us with no motives or hidden agenda.

Reflection: Are you tempted to hold back in terms of your wealth? Have you cultivated a heavenward attitude when it comes to money or are you still “earthbound” such that “giving up” your wealth is close to impossibility?

Prayer Response:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for speaking to me regarding the blessing and curse of wealth. Thank you for reminding me that all the wealth and resources that you have given me come from you. Please help me never to forget that you are the source of this blessing and to realise that as all I have comes from you, I should never be reluctant to give you back a token of the love that you have given me. Help me also never to allow money to control me. Amen.

Devotional is based on the message by Mrs. Maureen Wang