A Fool And His Money

To exchange purses for a larger one,
When so crammed with bills it can hold no more,
Instead of sharing with those that have none,
Is like building bigger barns crops to store!
Jesus'parable tells us of the fool
That did that, then took his ease, kicking back,
Thinking, "Rest easy, old chap, is the rule;
I now have enough, not ever to lack!"
But that very same night he breathed his last;
Standing before God, he was asked to show
What treasures on high he saved in the past;
All he had was stored in the barns below!
What treasures will you show on Judgment Day?
Are they safe on high, or on earth to stay?

"'... a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' And he told them this parable: 'The ground of a certain rich man produced a great crop. He thought to himself, Then he said, But, God said to him, >You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?> This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.'" (Luke 12:14-21)

Mr. Ted Turner is a man known for great wealth. He has bought many acres of land in Montana and the American west. He also also given a great sum of money to the United Nations for worthy purposes. I do not know much more about Mr. Turner, and I don't intend to stimagtize him in the least. I know he is a good man. Is he "rich toward God"? Yes, if he gave the money to the UN in the name of God. Given in his own name will not bring him any credit with God.

I was told by a friend that he was an investor in the stock market. He told me that he had learned how to use his computer to manipulate his transactions so that it was impossible for him to lose any money. He explained to me that by doing something called "short selling" and investing in "hedge" funds, he had his total portfolio automatically instructed to buy and sell as stock values rise and fall, so that he could accumulate wealth continuously. I know absolutely nothing about what he told me he did, but it appears to me that if such a thing is possible, to use it to accumulate wealth---which must come from the pockets of other investors---is not what Jesus would approve for a Christian to do. However, if his profits were directed in the name of God to go to the poor, or if his total portfolio were given to churches, my friend might store up treasure in heaven. I still feel uncomfortable about profits taken at the expense of others, though.

Accumulating money and property beyond that needed to sustain one and not sharing the excess in the name of God with poor and needy people is not the way to receive God's approval. In simple words, to please God we must share with others less fortunate.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal/" (Matthew 6:19:20)

Many successful people give large sums for many benevolent reasons, and such acts are commendable. But there is a difference between being good and being rich with God. If you give millions to a college and have a building named after you, it doesn't put your name in the Book of Life, in which the names of those with salvation are inscribed. But if you are a widow and have only $1, and you give the whole dollar to the church, you will be noticed in heaven, and God will remember you forever (Luke 21:2).