We strive for the ever elusive financial freedom that we desire; to never ‘have to worry’ about money. We spend most of our lives attempting to improve our financial situation to the detriment of our relationships- with God, our spouses, our children and other family and friends. We waste our money on the dream of winning big.
The truth, however, is a different matter. Having more money doesn’t eliminate worry, it increases it. Meanwhile, money and possessions are short term rewards which are temporal. You cannot bring them into eternity. And while you have them here, they rust, decay, break, get stolen, depreciate, get eaten (can you say taxes?). Read these and be forewarned:
(unbelieving rich) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Jas. 5:1-3
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Lk. 6:24
(to all) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Mt. 6:19-21
(corrupt and truth destitute men) supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: 1Tm. 6:5b-10a