Different Things God is teaching Me

RICHES

~ The Fear of Loss, the Pride of Success, & God's Stewards between them 

"The rich man's wealth is his strong city; and like a high wall in his own imagination." ~Proverbs 18:11

"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the Living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." ~1 Timothy 6:17-19

BY HIS FAVOR

God, in His Word, has much to say in regard to the rich and the poor. The facts that both mutually share is that: 1) Both are created by God and 2) He does not show partiality/favoritism to either. [Proverbs 22:2 & Job 34:19] When a man obtains wealth, it is ultimately not by his wisdom or wit that he has achieved but by God's favor. [Psalm 17:14 & Deuteronomy 8:11-18] The arm that toils has been lended strength from its Creator. The mind that studies, plans, and makes decisions are often mercifully guided and given wisdom by its Maker to know what to do. Outside forces that would have brought bodily harm (e.g rush hour traffic) have often been diverted by His Mighty Hand. So we see the so-called "our own success" is really owed to the mercies of God. King Solomon, in humanistic form, wrote that "time" and "chance" are the determining factors behind life's gifts and blessings. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill..." [Ecclesiastes 9:11]
In light of these truths-realities in God's Word, a rich man vainly puts his security and hope in the wealth he deems he has achieved when it is ultimately been given by God. His wealth is but an imaginary high wall.

NO PRIDE OR DESPAIR

So why must I fear or hesitate to give? Why must my heart fret when I see my stored up wealth, slowly diminish? Rightly should I fret (against myself) if my wealth becomes diminished by my foolish choices and selfish desires. But if it be diminished by my love for its Giver and love for my neighbor (for his help) why should I fret? Why should I fear to be faithful? Why hesitate to use these talents which are not mine (Matthew 25:14-29) and rather not see that my hope and these riches are in God? [Colossians 2:2-3 & 2 Peter 1:2-3]
There are no reasons to be proud of earthly gains nor to despair of earthly losses. "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man glory in his might. Nor let the rich man glory in his riches. But let him who glories glory in this: That he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord." [Jeremiah 9:23-24] "...Every beast of the forest is Mine and the cattle on a thousand hills." [Psalm 50:10]

EVERYTHING BELONGS TO THE KING

Earth and its riches are God's; they are not ours to keep and be tight-fisted. And let us beware of covetousness. We covet against others and for ourselves. [Luke 12:13-15] But we should remember these truths and realities: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" " [Hebrews 13:5-6]

As God has called us to steward well the tangible, entropic things of this earthly life, He has also entrusted to us a higher calling to invest the enduring treasures and our desires with Him in preparation for that heavenly life. He has assured us that we need not concern ourselves with earthly needs for He has already concerned Himself with that. He has already taken care of those essential details. Our job is to receive, with thanksgiving, what He provides and to be focused and fulfilling the field of work (the physical and spiritual united) that He has laid out before us. As it says in Luke 12:29-33,

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys."

And also, 1 Chronicles 29:14,

"But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You."

May God, in His mercy (to His glory and to our humility), continue to teach us as stewards of His blessings, to count all things as loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. [Philippians 3:7-8] That knowledge which is this: Like Jesus, through our poverty this needy world will be blessed. [2 Corinthians 8:9]