The Richest Man

Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? —Luke 16: 11

Jesus told of a servant who had begun squandering his master’s goods upon himself. When the master heard rumors of this, he called the servant to account. The servant—surmising he would soon be out of a job—quickly used his master’s resources to set himself up for the future he knew was coming. Let’s say you have fifty years left in which to enjoy the blessings God has given you. But if you use those things only for yourself, and don’t consider the kingdom of God and the eternal future, you are going to be sorry. Though you may be well off now, you will spend eternity destitute. Let me assure you that the poorest man in heaven is far better off than the richest man in hell. But God will one day call on each of us to account for how we used the things He placed at our disposal. If you are wise, you’ll use these things for the kingdom of God.

Both heaven and earth have riches. Earth’s riches are measured in bank accounts, portfolios, and in the heaps of possessions men spend their lives accumulating. Those riches will burn if moth and rust and thieves don’t get to them first. Heaven’s riches, though, are eternal. No fire can touch them. No moth or rust can damage them. No thief can steal them away. Whatever you deposit in heaven will be waiting, right there, for the day you enter those gates.

***Deposit your riches carefully.

Father, make us good stewards of what You have entrusted to us. Give us Your perspective on what are true riches. In Jesus’ name, amen.