We cannot
store up riches for ourselves here on earth and at the same time store up
treasures in heaven.
And, by the
way, being rich toward God will not be a source of pride or influence in
eternity, or a means of acquiring prominence in the kingdom of God.
Anyone who
would be rich in this life must realize that God has a plan for our wealth,
since God owns everything anyway.
We often
speak of God’s plan for our lives, but seldom, sometimes never, of his plan for
our money. No, no, no, you can’t touch
that.
God doesn’t
want us to be greedy, to rely on our bank accounts for security, to send away a
hungry brother when we have more than enough bread to eat, refuse a worthy
borrower when we have the capacity to lend, to be proud of our wealth, to use our
money to subvert the law, to bribe civil servants, etc.
The time we
start using our money for the welfare and succor of the brethren according to
the plan of God for our wealth, which we have inquired of Him by prayer, we begin
to store up treasures in heaven. And
these eternal riches will gain for us the greater capacity to worship and serve
God.