Quote from Forum Archives on October 31, 2007, 10:18 am

Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>

Forthright Magazine
www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross

COLUMN: Reality Check

Rich Man, Poor Man
by Stan Mitchell

Here is some "wisdom" on wealth and poverty.

"It's not a sin to be rich -- it's a miracle!"

"There's nothing wrong with people possessing
riches. The wrong comes when riches possess
people."

"The rich may not live longer, but it certainly
seems like it to their poor relatives!"

"There are two ways of being rich. One is to have
all you want, and the other is to be satisfied
with what you have."

"But the one who is rich should take pride in his
low position, because he will pass away like a
wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat
and withers the plant. Its blossom falls, and its
beauty is destroyed. In the same way the rich will
fade away even while he goes about his business"
(James 1:10,11).

The final quote gives genuine wisdom regarding the
value of earthly possessions. It is not sinful to
be rich. Abraham was, and Job and Solomon. They
were all good people. It is sinful (and ill
advised) to trust in riches. Perhaps it should be
pointed out that even the poor can trust in
riches. "If I can just spring this deal, then I'll
be really happy."

We live in uncertain times. James urges us to
value a man on the basis of his character, and not
his bank account. Do you suppose that there were
Christians in his day who equated importance with
status symbols? What if brother So-and-so's
"Lexus" chariot crashed tomorrow? What if sister
What's-her-name lost everything in a fire? When
their earthly stock fell, did they lose a share in
heaven, too?

In God's sight, we are all bankrupt. Our best
deeds are but "filthy rags" (Zechariah 3:3). We
are in reality "wretched, filthy, blind and naked"
(Revelation 3:17). But that's OK, because we know
the correct outlet from which to buy things of
lasting value. "I counsel you to buy from me," The
Lord Jesus urges us, "gold refined in the fire, so
you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so
you can cover your shameful nakedness, and salve
to put on your eyes, so you can see" (Revelation
3:18).

May I suggest we return our currency to the "gold"
standard?

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