Daily Devotional

How familiar the conversations among family and friends have been recently: What would you do if you won…or inherited…millions of dollars?” Their answers were no surprise: “Look what I could do…where I could go…what I could give.” They were surprised at my answer: “I think it could be one of the worst things that could ever happen to me.” I went on to explain what I have witnessed and read regarding many who became quickly wealthy.  

 The research shows:
• Many lose their longtime friends for a host of “new friends” who they sadly learn “love them for their money.”
• Many lose their “new friends” if the money runs out.
• Many spend their days worrying about their major losses (taxes, bad investments, unscrupulous advisors, frivolous spending, etc.).
• Many stop appreciating the things they once could only dream about or wait years for.
• Many wish no one knew they were that wealthy.
• Many realize their opinions only matter because they are wealthy.
• Many are not as generous as they initially said they would be.
• Many worry about their family members not knowing “the value of a dollar.”
• Many become quickly bored with even the most expensive excursions or “toys.”
• Many are bombarded with a myriad of requests for donations.  
• Many go bankrupt or are in major debt in about seven years.
• Many say they are more miserable than they were before becoming wealthy.
• Many wish they had a median income (not too rich; not too poor).

Hear the wise words penned by King Solomon, who some believe was the richest man who ever lived. Heed the counsel of a man who allowed his riches to be a great stumbling block to his intimate walk with God:

Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.

Jesus said it even more succinctly: “For what does it profit a man to gain (lit. at a moment in time) the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).   Immediate wealth is no guarantee of eternal joy; it rarely results in temporary earthly joy!