The Real Value of Our Riches
“They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up.” Ezekiel 7:19 NLT
Throughout life, it is very easy to fall into the trap of materialism and put our trust in the passing things of this world. In the book of Ezekiel, God warns His people about a time when earthly riches would lose all their value in the face of imminent crisis. We often wear ourselves out trying to accumulate possessions, fame, and financial success, forgetting that all these things are temporary tools that God entrusts us to manage, but they must never become the center of our hearts. When storms and problems arrive, money cannot buy peace in a marriage, the salvation of the soul, or true security for our family.
- The danger of putting our trust in material things The love of money and greed are dangerous traps that divert us from God’s original purpose for our lives. Riches are not evil in themselves, but when they become our refuge and number one priority, they lead us to spiritual failure.
- Riches will not save us in crises There will be dark moments in life where neither all the gold nor the largest bank account will be able to solve a health problem, restore a lost child, or bring true peace to the mind. Only God is our strength and our sure help.
- Greed is a stumbling block When we focus excessively on accumulating goods out of pure selfishness, we end up stumbling. The insatiable desire to have more and more robs us of the joy of living, fills us with unnecessary stress, and ends up destroying our most valuable relationships.
- We are stewards, not owners Money is simply a means, not our savior. We must learn to be good stewards, using the resources God lends us to bless our family, support our church, and be generous with the less fortunate people in our community.
- Our true security comes from God True success in spiritual, family, social, and financial life is only sustained in the long term when we keep our hope anchored in the Lord. He is the one who gives us the strength to produce wealth and who truly satisfies our hearts.
It is vital that we constantly evaluate where we are placing our trust and our energies. Material things will remain on this earth, but what we do for the Lord and for people has an eternal value. Let us not allow materialism to rob us of our joy, health, or the right priorities in our home. Let us surrender our finances and our projects to Jesus Christ, resting in the profound certainty that our greatest wealth is having His love, His favor, and His salvation every day of our lives.
“They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up.” Ezekiel 7:19 NLT
Think About It:
- Have you been trusting more in your savings and your own abilities than in God’s inexhaustible provision?
- Identify if there is any area in your life where the zeal for work and materialism is robbing you of peace or affecting time with your family.
- What practical step can you take today to better manage your money and use it as a tool to bless others in your church or community?