Everlasting Good News of Yahweh

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10).

Wealth is not a bad thing. However, seeking to acquire great wealth simply for the purpose of being rich (greed) will become a snare and lead to many sorrows. Sadly, many in the world today are doing just that. We live in a very consumer oriented society where the acquisition of material wealth is paramount, but to what end?

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.  (Job 21:13)

Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.  (Proverbs 23:5)

If we manage to die rich, all our wealth will not benefit us in the grave.

“Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.”

“As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15)

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:7 

When we die, our wealth will not follow us to the grave. Hopefully, beloved descendants will receive what we leave.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.  (Proverbs 13:22)

For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.  (Psalm 49:10)

Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.  (Psalm 39:6)

Acquiring wealth in order help others through life is one of the better reasons to seek it. If we have no heirs, there is no telling who will end up with our wealth. One thing, though, is certain; we won’t take it with us when we die.

Those that are rich or who are forever trying to get rich without success, risk facing great temptations and lusts that will cause them grief.

He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: Elohim shall cast them out of his belly.  (Job 20:15)

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  (Matthew 13:22)

Riches are deceitful because they delude the rich from the way their Creator would have them to go. The delusion is very subtle and it takes a while until one realizes they are off the path and have lost their faith. One must diligently cut back the thorns and uproot the weeds that choke the Word and cause us to be unfruitful. We cannot allow ourselves to get so caught up in the material things that money can buy and that distract us from walking the way Yahweh would have us to go. There is only one path that leads to eternal life and that is Yeshua.

Yeshua said unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) 

Not only do riches make us unfruitful, but they can have a profound effect on those around us such as our children. For example, large, high resolution flat screen televisions have made watching television so much more pleasurable than old fashioned vacuum tube televisions. The parent’s decision to buy a television that used to be watched one or two hours a day is now watched far longer. That leads family members to be far less productive than they were. Many hours are wasted watching television for the shear entertainment factor rather than using that time to learn from Yahweh’s written Word,  to pray, to help others in need, to preach the Gospel, etc.

Rather than seeking riches for ourselves, we should do as Solomon, king of Israel, did.

And Elohim said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.  (2 Chronicles 1:11, 12)

Solomon sought wisdom and knowledge so that he could rule Israel in righteousness. Because of his unselfish desire, Yahweh not only gave him those gifts, but He blessed him with great wealth and honor as well.

Our wealth does not come from our own power. It comes from our Creator, Yahweh.

And you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of mine hand has gotten me this wealth.’  But you shall remember Yahweh your Elohim (God): for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore unto your fathers, as it is this day.  (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

Both riches and honor come of you [Yahweh], and you reign over all; and in your hand is power and might; and in your hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  (1 Chronicles 29:12)

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living Elohim, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;  (1 Timothy 6:17)

Since it is Yahweh who gives us wealth, honor, power, etc., we should put our trust in Him, rather than riches, to provide and care for us. Doing so will result in continued blessings, but if we forget our Creator because of our wealth, we are in for a fall.

 “He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.  (Proverbs 11:28)

Yeshua gave a parable concerning a man whose priorities were wrong and who was selfish with his riches.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But Elohim said unto him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim. (Luke 12:15-21)

Riches can be great stumbling blocks not only in this life, but in regards to eternal life as well.

“Yeshua looked round about, and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of Elohim!  And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Yeshua answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of Elohim! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Elohim. (Mark 10:23-25)

If the rich are not careful in how they regard their wealth, they could be in great spiritual danger. Our hearts must not be selfish with the wealth that Yahweh gives us, nor should we put our trust in our wealth.

“. . . if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.  (Psalms 62:10c)

It is during times of prosperity that we are at risk of forgetting Yahweh as we live lives of leisure and comfort. Yahweh knew that and warned Israel accordingly.

“And it shall be, when Yahweh your Elohim shall bring you into the land which He swore unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities, which you built not, and houses full of all good things, which you filled not, and cisterns hewn out, which you hewed not, vineyards and olive-trees, which you planted not, and you shall eat and be full; then beware lest you forget Yahweh, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (Deuteronomy 6:10-12)

Much more can be written about this subject from a Biblical perspective, but what has been presented so far should suffice in helping you understand how one gets wealth, how we should regard our wealth, and how we should not be selfish with our wealth. I close with the following verse:

“By humility and the fear of Yahweh are riches, and honor, and life.  (Proverbs 22:4)

If you want to be rich toward Yahweh and blessed with honor and long life, then humble yourself and fear Yahweh. Acknowledge that He is your Creator and, as such, He has the right to not only bless you with wealth, honor, and long life, but that He also has the right to command you to live according to His instructions and chasten you when you don’t. Reverence Him, honor Him, give glory to Him, and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and He will bless you and provide for all your needs.

Receive His Son Yeshua as your Savior and He will grant you eternal life in His soon coming Kingdom on Earth. What is more valuable to you, eternal life or acquiring wealth in this temporary life which will end in eternal death?