LASTING RICHES

Money is not sinful

Since we all need to survive,

But it’s the value it places in our heart

And what it will revive.

Will it promote a giving spirit

Or will it cause much arrogance?

Will it lay up treasures in the heavens

Or take a prideful stance?

It’s the love of money that promotes all evil

When greed and covetousness meet,

And envy becomes a fixture within

With all unrighteousness it greets.

Lasting riches are eternal

When we’re rich in our good deeds,

Willing to share and to be generous

When the hungry souls we feed.

We shouldn’t trust in riches

Because they can make themselves some wings,

Where disappointment will result

If we place our heart on things.

To be rich is to have lasting richness

Where we trust in God indeed,

Who richly gives all good things

Where heavenly treasures will be seen.

A giving hand and a kind heart

Excels all form of wealth,

And when coupled with a gentle spirit

It’s the most generous of helps.

Because it’s the treasures hidden in the heart

That will lay up a firm foundation,

Where eternal treasures will be stored

For the faithful who are patient.

The more we give the more we have;

All riches that will last,

From a reservoir of pure love;

From internal treasures that are vast.

God doesn’t need our money

But desires our availability,

When we utilise our time and talents

So a blessing we may be.

“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:19-21

“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.” Luke 18:22-23

“Do not lay 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 neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

“Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:5

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19