Less Can Be More

Luke 12:16-21; Psalm 37:16

There are a lot of things that money can’t buy:
Money can buy you a bed, but not a peaceful night’s sleep.
It can buy you books, but not intelligence.
It buys a house but not a home.
Medicine but not good health.
Luxuries but not culture.
Entertainment but not joy.
Possessions but not peace.
A wooden cross but not a Savior.
A beautiful mansion on earth, but not an eternal home in heaven.

When we face times of financial need, it’s natural to imagine how life might be so much better if only we had more money. We might even be tempted to compromise who we are or what we stand for in hopes of improving our financial situation: Stretching the truth on a tax return. Misrepresenting the facts at work to get a step ahead of a coworker. Holding back on giving to the Lord’s work to build our bank accounts. Such actions can be easy to justify from a human standpoint. But God calls us to a higher perspective.

While many people evaluate their financial success by what they can accumulate in the here and now, God calls us to measure financial success from an eternal perspective. The words of Psalm 37:16 help us maintain the right priorities

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.

The temptation to chase wealth and financial security are very strong. It’s easy to assume that life would so much better if we never had to think about having enough money. Yet we will be sadly disappointed if we commit our lives to accumulating the things this world has to offer. Such wealth will never endure. True success and fulfillment is found in devoting our lives to priorities that reach far beyond ourselves and our own ambitions. When we focus on spiritual goals, we will accumulate riches that endure for eternity.

What are some examples of “riches” that will endure for all eternity? 
How do we pursue those riches?

How much emphasis do you place on accumulating eternal riches? 
How can you make this a bigger priority in your life?