June 10, Wealth

Today’s reading: Psalms 46-50

“People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish” - Psalm 49:12.

Our society has a strange love affair with wealth. We want it, honor it, hoard it, spend it, and ruthlessly pursue it, even though it is always a fickle partner who goes to the highest bidder and cannot really bring what we want most—peace and contentment. In fact, when you think about it, money and wealth are a lot of trouble, for you have to spend a lot to protect what you have—and it can still all disappear through no fault of the one who has it. Read this rather harsh warning directed toward the wealthy:

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (James 5:1-5).

Having read today’s verses, do you still want to devote more time to gaining wealth? Can your pursuit of wealth give you what you truly need? If not, then why agonize over gaining it?