A Daily Purpose Day 137

Contributing Writer: Lindsey Capron

I once saw a video on social media of a very famous celebrity getting interviewed. In the interview, a question was asked from the interviewer, “Now that you’re rich and famous, are you truly happy?” With an anxious and sad look in her eye, the celebrity took a moment to pause and think before answering. 

“Sometimes,” the celebrity said. “It’s nice that I can afford what I’ve always wanted for me and my family and not have to worry about money.” But the look of anxiety and sadness behind the million-dollar smile painfully bled through.  

In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon, who was the richest and wisest king ever, shares his wisdom about the various things in life from relationships, business, marriage, and money. In our focus scripture in in the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes a true but often controversial proverb stating:

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble. (Proverbs 15:16)

The world has continually and successfully sold this idea that money is the key to all of life’s problems. While money and riches can definitely solve a myriad of problems, it does not and will not satisfy the thirst and hunger of an empty soul. 

The desire to be rich is great. We’ll work hard, we’ll pray, we’ll even gamble in Las Vegas or play the lotto hoping to get “lucky”, so we won’t have to worry about paying this bill, owing this debt, or having to deal with life’s problems that require lots of money. 

Please know that there’s nothing wrong with being financially savvy, well off or rich. 

But when we look to our riches or obsess over the desire to be rich to fill the God-sized hole that only God can fill, we’re emotionally and spiritually at risk. One of the biggest tragedies is to see the rich and wealthy “have it all” but still manage to struggle with depression, drug abuse, and even suicide because even their fortune wasn’t enough for them. 

The fear of the LORD is greater than all the treasures we can ever acquire or own. Riches gained quickly and easily can be lost in the same manner.

God who supplies all of our needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus is the source of all wealth and riches (Philippians 4:19). 

So even when we have our little according to the world’s standards, with God, we have so much more because when we revere and walk with the LORD, we have eternal life which is greater than all the wealth and riches of every celebrity and famous entrepreneur in the world. 

May we continue to be content with the blessings God gives us no matter how abundant or lean and know without a doubt that a relationship with God Himself and the eternal life and peace that He freely gives is the greatest wealth we can ever possess.