Uncertain Riches

(Proverbs 18:10-11)
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

The truth of this is evidenced in the current panic over the "economic downturn." People thought that if they had enough money saved and invested, they would be safe and secure. But it proved to be a false hope. Big companies were overextended and failed. Stocks lost their value. What was invested turned out to be lost.

People are left frightened and confused... how will they make ends meet?

But the name of the LORD is a strong tower - it will never falter or fail. He is our Righteousness. We are right with God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. These heavenly riches are completely secure.

(2Corinthians 8:9) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

(Ephesians 1:7) ¶ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

By God's grace the financial crash will become a blessing. While most people in America never considered themselves rich, they were blessed with prosperity beyond the imagination of the rest of the world. We have had a rich man's perspective - that this world is good and "the good life" is about being prosperous.

(Mark 10:23-24) ¶ Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

Maybe recent events will shake people's trust in earthly riches and open their hearts to their need for riches in Christ Jesus. Only heavenly riches will matter in the end.

(1Timothy 6:17) ¶ 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.