The riches of God are eternal. The superficial treasures of this world are temporary. They will fade. They will fall short. They will let us down.
Too often, we focus on gathering and hoarding the wealth of this world. We want a collection of frivolous joys, hoping we can rely on their memories when things get tough. We imagine a fulfilling life is just one elusive adventure away, one change in circumstance, just one more tax bracket bump. If we can only get there, then we could kick up our heels, relax and live happily ever after.
But trials and difficult circumstances are going to come. The only thing more certain is death. In both instances, our hoarding won’t help us. In fact, it will hurt us. If we appear before God with wasted resources to our name, it will be toward our shame rather than our credit.
Although the amplified voices of this world make it seem hoarding is the only way, it is not the sole option. The riches of God look a lot like the riches of man. The difference is they are resources to worship Him and to care for one another rather than to save for self-preservation and self-aggrandizement. God is the King of riches. He has given us all things richly to enjoy, according to 1 Timothy 6:17. He invites us to gain treasures that will not rust or spoil by seeking to live in harmony with the principles of His kingdom. All the treasures of this earth are transitionary. They are passing through our hands, on their way to somewhere else. God invites us to store lasting treasures that will never fade.
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 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 whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
– Luke 12:18-21