Wealth isn’t measured by our bank accounts

I have a 401-K through my place of employment. With all of the economic downturns and rise of inflation, I have chosen not to look at my retirement account. My thinking was, why ride the roller coaster of my 401K balance when I can’t do much about it? But then I received a letter from the  investment firm announcing changes I did not understand. It was time to pick up the phone and call.

My earnings had dropped 17%.

It hurt to look at that data. Money I once had was now gone. Money that had accrued, now depleted. I will never fully get the money back, even if the balance goes up, because I lost the interest earning potential of the money I lost in the downturn.

The next day I read this…

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. 1Timothy 6:17

This is a wonderful reminder that money is unreliable! In addition, we are not rich because of our bank account. We are not safe because our retirement plan is substantial. We are not wealthy because we have invested “wisely” in a home. (Our house has also dropped $9,323 in value in the last 30 days.)

We are rich because we have God.

We are rich because God does not change with the economy or our circumstances.

But you are the same, and your years have no end. (Psalm 102:27)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; (Lamentations 3:22)

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. (Psalm 102:25-27)

What do you beg God for?

I ran across these verses recently and admitted I have not been asking God for these things before I die!

“Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD? (Proverbs 30:7-9)

Isn’t it interesting that the Lord’s prayer also includes, “Give us this day our daily bread”? In the wilderness as well, God supplied manna only one day at a time for 40 years (except for the Sabbath) (Exodus 16:26)

It seems like having too much money in the bank or more manna than we need makes us vulnerable to weakening our dependence on God because we lessen our trust in Him and increase our trust in stuff that is unstable. Yes, we are to be wise about our money and live with financial margin as we are able, but our accounts have never our safety. Our safety has always been laying up our treasures in heaven.

Jesus warned us about this when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal …” (Matthew 6:19-21)

I am rich. If you have Christ, then you are too.

Picture Explanation: Same mountain range on different days and in different lighting, but each beautiful. Reminds me of life with God. Most days are filled with sameness, but if lived with Him, each is beautiful.

If you are interested in being contacted to participate in a One Gritty Blink Bible study in 2023, click on the Oaks Ministries link below and contact me by email. There are plans for an evening online study April 4-May 9. There are also plans for a face-to-face study this summer. Let’s focus on things that count for eternity!

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