We have parents who spend almost no time with their children to be at workplaces earning for the child to enjoy material luxuries. We have children who value parents based on how much luxuries they can offer. We have families that are willing to fight with siblings for property, save everything rather than be generous, trusting in their wealth more than anything in the world. Shall we pray that our neighbors would have homes that value love, wisdom, and virtue more than money or other material goods?
Bible passage:
The Rich young man - Mark 10: 17, 21-23 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”... And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
The Rich fool - Luke 12: 13 - 21 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
1 Timothy 6:10, 17 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
When would we have enough? Have you thought about how much more luxurious most of us are in comparison to the Kings and Princesses of old? They didn't have Swiggy for food delivery. They didn't have anesthesia before medical surgeries. They didn't have flying chariots to take them to faraway places (oh well, Elijah had one, but he's an exception). They couldn't switch entertainment channels the way we do. Yet, contentment is still not a common virtue. Covetousness these days is not pertaining to neighbor's houses but to something in Amazon or in a shopping mall. Life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions. Life is not about working like slaves to own more material goods. Life cannot be lived placing our hopes on the uncertainty of riches. Yet, we see many around us value riches more than life itself. Let's pray.
Prayer points:
Pray that they would not place their trust in riches but in the Lord. Pray that God brings to their memory how all wealth failed them, and what they sacrificed to attain it.
Pray that people would value relationships over money. Pray that if there are any property disputes, God would help them think about it with the right perspective.
Pray that families would spend fruitful time with each other than merely run after material things, or spend time alone with them.
Pray that God would help them against covetousness, and help them know that He is the true treasure.
If you can, try memorizing Luke 12:15.
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