If I’m totally honest—which I try to always be—I have to admit that I’m not sure I haven’t read this verse early in my Christian walk and, immediately after the first part, thought, “No, it isn’t.” It was usually a fleeting thought, but maybe an honest one. It stings my conscience to know I used to wrestle with the truth in that simple statement. As life has gone by, I can now firmly grasp a personal ownership of that truth. With that being said, having both—a good name and wealth—while recognizing the fleeting nature of riches is not a sin. We live in a culture that often promotes the pursuit of wealth above all else. Wealth, and even the pursuit of it, is not necessarily a bad thing either as long as it comes at God’s direction. It becomes bad when we pursue wealth as an end in itself. That’s when we find ourselves operating in direct opposition to God’s design for His people and His Kingdom. Wealth and the accumulation of things have never been identifiers of God’s presence in one’s journey or His pleasure or displeasure with them. That has always been about His supremacy in our story. To achieve a good name and to be esteemed by both the lost and the saved is the result of a life lived in service to our Heavenly Father and to those He brings into our path. Chasing wealth might bring envy and even a bit of awe from others, but deep respect, admiration, and esteem that truly matter are the result of being Jesus to those we encounter. Today, reflect your King and don’t have your things reflect you. #BeTheEdge
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV
