Eternal Wealth: Choosing God Over Gold

Eternal Wealth: Choosing God Over Gold

There is no easy way to Heaven; HOWEVER, there is a sure way.” These words challenge us to reflect deeply on the eternal truths of Scripture and the daily choices we make. Jesus declared in Matthew 19:24: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." The imagery is stark, underscoring how wealth can tether the human heart to this world, making it nearly impossible to focus on God. It isn’t the possession of wealth that condemns but the love of money—this love becomes an idol, leading to spiritual blindness and eventual destruction.

The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of misplaced priorities. In Colossians 3:5-6, we are called to put to death earthly desires, including greed, which is equated with idolatry: "Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." Yet many fall into the trap of pursuing riches as though wealth could provide ultimate security, happiness, or meaning. In doing so, we wander far from God’s truth, mirroring the disobedience of the Israelites who wandered the desert for 40 years.

This journey is not meant to instill despair but to illuminate hope. Scripture reminds us to seek eternal treasures and choose each day whom we will serve. The choice is simple but profound: will we lay up treasures in heaven, or will we remain bound to the fleeting promises of this world? As believers, we are called to open our eyes, ears, and hearts to God’s Word, rejecting the distractions of wealth and greed, and live with an eternal focus.

Today, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about the dangers of greed, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the daily discipline required to keep God first. Through this, we’ll learn how to take hold of the sure path to Heaven, despite its challenges. The way is narrow, but with God’s grace, it is accessible to all who choose Him.

The Dangers of Greed

Greed is more than a desire for wealth; it is an insidious force that corrupts the soul and blinds us to God’s purposes. Colossians 3:5-6 lays it bare: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." Greed elevates earthly desires to the level of worship, making idols of material possessions. It creates an insatiable hunger that cannot be satisfied, pulling us further from God.

The Bible provides vivid examples of greed’s consequences. In 2 Peter 2:13, the apostle warns: "Their eyes are full of adultery; they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!" This verse illustrates the way greed exploits weakness and fosters spiritual instability. Romans 1:29-30 adds: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful." The fruit of greed is bitter, resulting in broken relationships, strife, and ultimately, separation from God.

Yet, believers are not left without guidance. Colossians 3:12-14 calls us to replace greed with virtues that reflect God’s character: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." By focusing on service, forgiveness, and gratitude, we dismantle the power of greed and align ourselves with God’s will.

Greed is a subtle idol that competes for our attention daily. As believers, we must examine our hearts and rid ourselves of this destructive force. Choosing generosity, humility, and love over greed is not just an act of obedience but a reflection of God’s transformative work within us.

Money as a False Master

Money holds a seductive power that few can resist. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." The passage reveals an essential truth: money, when given too much importance, becomes a competing god. It promises security and happiness but delivers neither.

Storing treasures on earth is a natural inclination. Matthew 6:19-21 explains why this pursuit is futile: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The location of our treasure reflects the orientation of our heart.

The apostle Paul provides a sobering warning in 1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Wealth can lead us astray, causing us to abandon God in pursuit of material gain. Hebrews 13:5 urges believers to cultivate contentment: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’"

Money is a tool, not a master. When we view it as a resource for God’s purposes, it loses its power to control us. By seeking first God’s kingdom and trusting in His provision, we break free from the grip of money’s false promises and embrace true freedom.

Living for Today

Daily faithfulness is a cornerstone of Christian life. Matthew 6:34 reminds us: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." The challenge is to live fully in the present, trusting God’s provision and guidance. Worry about the future often stems from misplaced priorities, including dependence on wealth or personal ambition.

Scripture encourages a day-by-day reliance on God. In Luke 11:3, Jesus teaches us to pray: "Give us each day our daily bread." This petition acknowledges that God provides for our needs one day at a time, reinforcing our dependence on Him. Psalms 118:24 declares: "The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad." Rejoicing in each day as a gift shifts our focus from anxiety to gratitude.

Joshua 24:15 challenges believers to commit daily: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Faith is not a passive state but an active decision to align our lives with God’s will. Ephesians 6:7 adds: "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people."

Living for today requires discipline and trust. By surrendering our worries, seeking God’s guidance, and rejoicing in His daily provision, we build a life of faith that honors Him and reflects His peace.

Conclusion
The love of money and greed are traps that lead to spiritual destruction, but the hope of salvation lies in God’s transformative grace. Every day, we are faced with the choice of whom we will serve. Matthew 6:24 draws a clear line: "You cannot serve both God and money." This call demands daily action to reject wealth’s false promises and embrace eternal treasure.

Living with an eternal perspective is challenging but liberating. Hebrews 13:5 assures us of God’s faithfulness: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." This promise provides the strength to let go of worldly concerns and trust in His provision. In choosing to store treasures in heaven, we align ourselves with God’s purposes, finding joy, peace, and fulfillment that money can never offer.

The path to Heaven is narrow, but it is sure. By rejecting greed, living for today, and placing God above all else, we secure the eternal treasures promised in His Word. Let us open our eyes to His truth, our ears to His call, and our hearts to His grace. Will you choose to walk this path? The rewards are eternal.