Wealth Can Buy 'Almost' Anything

Upper elementary school. The late 1960’s. Howard Hughes.

My school buddies and I enjoyed bringing up the name Howard Hughes. We might have known that he set multiple world air speed records or that he built the ‘Hughes H-1 Racer.’ And who wouldn’t want to talk about the Spruce Goose, the nickname given to the famous wooden aircraft built by Hughes? But his name was most often mentioned in reference to his status as a millionaire.

We talked about Howard Hughes as if we were well-informed. It gave us a sense of pride to throw out a fact about this famous film producer, pilot, engineer, businessman. He was a millionaire and the average annual U.S. household income in the 1960’s was under ten thousand dollars.

If you work out the math, my dad would have had to save all his money for more than 100 years just to make his first million. Of course, Howard Hughes had many millions. In fact, he died a billionaire; but in 1968, that was not a part of our vocabulary.

Wealth is alluring and intoxicating. I think most people believe that life would be better if they just had a little more money. Even Solomon seems to agree:

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

—Ecclesiastes 10:19

Remember, however, that in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon was looking only at the created universe and asking the question, “Where can I find meaning?” So, looking only at this life, his comment about money is not surprising.

However, Solomon also wrote a number of warnings against hoarding money and against placing one’s trust in money. Here are a few insightful proverbs about wealth:

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.

--Proverbs 10:22

He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

--Proverbs 11:28

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.

--Proverbs 22:1–2

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

--Proverbs 23:4–5

Do you remember how Jesus spoke about wealth? When observing the gifts that people were bringing to the temple treasury, He took notice of a poor widow. He commended her gift over the gifts of the wealthy because she had given from that which she needed. The wealthy had given, but only from their excess.

Even more startling was His beatitude. Do you remember it? Do you grasp the failure of wealth? The poor of this life who are disciples of Jesus live in true bliss now because they are citizens of the kingdom of God. Money may be the answer to everything in this life, but money simply cannot buy life eternal!

Blissful are you who are poor, 

for yours is the kingdom of God. 

—Luke 6:20

Mark Stinnett

December 19, 2021

Do You Think This is an Odd Pair?

Quick! Fill in the blank…

The rich and _______________.

You might have though of a synonym like wealth: The rich and wealthy. You might have thought of something that compares with, or goes along with rich, like power: The rich and powerful. Or, you might have considered a contrasting idea, like poor: The rich and poor.

My simple point is that there are familiar ways that things are paired together. With that thought in mind, take a look at this proverb:

     Better is a poor man who walks in integrity

     Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. 

     —Proverbs 19:1

What did you expect to be paired with ‘poor man’?

It might not be obvious at first, but the ’poor man’ is compared to 'the fool,' i.e. the 'foolish man.' The poor man’s way of life is described by the phrase, 'who walks in integrity.' The fool’s way of life is described by the phrase, 'who is perverse in speech.' Now that we have the parts of proverb matched up, how do we make sense of this saying?

The word 'poor' in this proverb comes from one of eleven different Hebrew words to describe the poor. It is used almost exclusively by Solomon and indicates destitution. How does it strike your mind that a destitute person would walk in integrity? In many ways poverty and integrity are odd partners. A man who is destitute lacks the basic needs of life. He probably does not have a place to live (homeless). He has nothing that resembles a wardrobe of clothing, but has only the clothing on his back. He does not have enough food. It is an understatement to say that he is in need.

Now, imagine a destitute man with integrity. That means that even though he has virtually nothing, he is a man of good character. He is an honest man, reliable and fair in his dealings with others. He is morally good. Judging him by his worldly possessions, he is empty and practically worthless; yet judging him by his character, he is complete.

Compared to the poor man of integrity is the fool who is perverse in speech. Used primarily in the Book of Proverbs the Hebrew word for perverse means to twist or to make crooked. It is used to describe sin. So, perverse speech suggests the sin of deception.

Perverse speech describes the way of the fool. It is curious that the Hebrew term used in this verse for fool literally means to be fat. It has a positive sense of strength, though it is usually used in a negative sense of heaviness and inactivity, therefore often translated with terms such as stupid and fool/foolish. However, the idea of strength appears to fit this context when compared to a parallel proverb (Proverbs 28:6).

     Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

     Than he who is crooked though he be rich.

     --Proverbs 28:6

In both proverbs crookedness or perversity of speech might even be the means by which the individual became strong/rich.

The lesson is simple, but so difficult for people to embrace:

We would all agree that it is better to be strong/rich than to be destitute. However, if strength and riches are accompanied by sin, they are of no real value. The man of integrity is better off even if he is destitute of the world’s goods.

So, “Do I have to give up my possessions to be a man or woman of integrity?” Wrong question!

Rather, we should ask ourselves: “Am I a man/woman of integrity?”

Do you value integrity???

You Won't Take Anything With You...Except...

     Better is the poor who walks in his integrity,
     Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
     --Proverbs 28:6

Wealth is better than poverty: Material things.

Integrity is better than being crooked (perverse): Character.

When a man faces God he will not carry material things with him, only his character.

Choose wisely.

OUCH, OOPS, STUPID!

We live in a nation that boasts ‘independence.’ We are free men and women. We own our own lives. We decide our futures.

And yet, we know all too well, from experience...

     The rich rules over the poor, 
     And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.
                                                                         --Proverbs 22:7

If we know this proverbs to be true by our own observation and experience, why are so many of us in debt ‘up to our ears’? We are ‘owned’ (enslaved) by the banks, credit card companies, department stores, and other lenders.

Warning: "That’s hot; you’ll burn yourself."
   "I know" . . . "OUCH!"
Warning: "You are going to break it if you keep doing that."
   "I know" . . . "OOPS!"
Warning: "You’ll be a slave to your lenders if you keep borrowing."
   "I know" . . . "More money, Please."

There is no other way to put it.
When we know the consequences, but act foolishly anyway, we are...
OUCH, OOPS, STUPID.

Get out of debt.
Be wise.

"You Deserve It!"

I cringe just a little when I hear the expression, “Oh, you deserve it.”

I generally hear this sentiment when someone is about to take a few days off for a vacation. “I’m so happy for you; you deserve it.”

There is nothing wrong with taking time off for rest and relaxation. However, our society, in general, has become obsessed with entertainment and pleasure. Is that wise?

     He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; 
     He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
     --Proverbs 21:17

The pleasure seeker is not really descriptive of the hard working man or woman who is busy throughout the week with job and family, but occasional takes time off. The pleasure seeker fills every weekend and many week nights with pleasure activities. They eat out more often than not. They sit at their TV, go out to movies, concerts, sporting events; they head out to parks, museums, and amusement parks regularly. They are always looking and thinking about the next event or activity. Then they rush off to the big city for more.

None of these things, in and of themselves, are bad or wrong. Look back at the warning in the proverb: “He who loves pleasure” and “He who loves wine and oil” (symbolic of wealth and happiness). Solomon is talking about the pleasure ‘lover.’ Their mind is not oriented toward helping others. Oh, it's a nice thought, but they crave pleasure and entertainment. Their mind is not oriented toward the Lord. They have appetites to satisfy.

Solomon warns that they will become poor, yet he is not focusing on wealth. He is presenting wealth as the result of wisdom, prudence, and discipline.

The pleasure lover is out of touch with reality. He does not really know God.

Our mental image of Jesus does not have him in the fan stands wearing the bright colors of a favorite sports team cheering them on to victory. Our mental image of the Christ does not have him on a party barge at the lake or on a roller coaster at the amusement park.

Jesus: Fasting and praying; preaching and warning about God's judgment; teaching and healing and showing compassion; sacrifice. The cross.

Has our wealth skewed our perception of pleasure, what we deserve, and what is truly important? Has our wealth skewed our perception of God? Of Christ?

Go on vacation. Head out to the ball game. Ride the roller coaster. Enjoy life. But ask yourself; honestly evaluate yourself: "Am I a pleasure lover."

Entertainment and pleasure can truly make you poor, and I’m not just talking about money.

Wealth or Relationships?

     Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
     Than a house full of feasting with strife.
     --Proverbs 17:1

When we read the word ‘better’ we automatically recognize that one thing is more beneficial than another. The reader is given a comparison of the value of two things. A choice is presented.

Without knowing specific circumstances, one might reason that it is not really a sin to be in a house full of feasting with strife, but it is NOT better. The word ‘strife’ in this verse indicates complaining, arguing, and even fighting (probably verbally). So, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with a house of feasting (with strife). Of course, the strife part is not good.

We might be tempted to continue meandering around the words until we eventually wash out the meaning of the proverb. Let’s be reasonable; what do you think God expected us to learn by reading this proverb? What kind of response do you think He expects?

The ‘dry morsel’ and ‘feasting’ are contrasting terms that represent a measure of wealth. ‘Quietness’ and ‘strife’ describe human interaction. How often do we think about there being a relationship between wealth and human interaction?

Surely it is better to have plenty of food instead of going hungry. Feasting is better than starving. However, that is not an absolute truth; there are circumstances that might change the way we look at wealth. Solomon advises that if you are placed in circumstances in which you must choose between wealth and peace in human relationships, choose peace.

One might conclude that, in general...

The way you manage your relationships

IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN 

The way you manage your money!

Manage wisely!
Invest in friends and family.
Invest in people.

(As we approach the upcoming whirlwind of holiday fun, feasting and festivities, we would do well to remember that our relationships with friends and family and fellow believers are more important than finances and gifts.)

In My Heart of Hearts...

People are funny...in a peculiar sort of way.

The way we say things often tells more than what we say. You have undoubtedly heard someone use the expression, "In my heart of hearts...." Then the person goes on to explain a deep truth.

It has been my observation that 'some' folks lie. Their mouths tell one story but their lives tell another. Someone claims, "In my heart of hearts...," and then a serious and deeply personal statement follows, yet it does not match up with the way they are living.

I think it is good from time to time to stop and look within and evaluate our hearts. What is truly important?

• Is it money?
• Is it material possessions?
• Is it a position in an organization?
• Is it entertainment?
• Is it family?
• Is it spiritual things? 

I don't think you have to pause long to make an evaluation; just listen to the way you speak and then look at your actions. How do they compare? What story do they tell? The things in your heart come out of your mouth. Your general behavior, public and private, exposes your heart. What do you see?

All of this has led me to believe that for some folks 'in my heart of hearts' is genuine. Yet, for others it is more of a wish. It is a statement that really translates to, "When I stop and think about things, this is what I see as really important. I do not live that way right now, but I sure wish I did. It is a noble goal, an ideal."

Here is a simple thought: Would you pray for the thing that is in your heart of hearts? Would you ask of God that he grant you that desire, even if it is not really the way things are at the moment?

A wise man wrote in just such a way. It was like a prayer to God and I think it was a desire that was deep on his heart.

   Give me neither poverty nor riches;
      but give me only my daily bread.
   Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 
      "Who is the Lord?"
   Or I may become poor and steal,
      And so dishonor the name of my God.
   --Proverbs 30:8-9

It is easy to read such a statement and understand the rich wisdom of such a request...an ideal. Yet, when you look at your career, your house, your cars, your clothes, your food, your belongings, could you make that request of God in prayer with complete honesty?

Read the verses again. When you stop and think about it, could you pray:
In my heart of hearts...