Due to his success in the oil business, John D. Rockefeller became the world’s first billionaire in 1916. At its peak, his wealth was worth about 1.5% of the United States economy. Although he was generous to some extent throughout his life, he was unable to give faster than he received. Though that sounds like a great problem to have, his wealth and career began to take a toll on him physically. “Your fortune is rolling up, rolling up like an avalanche! You must keep up with it! You must distribute it faster than it grows! If you do not, it will crush you and your children and your children’s children,” wrote Frederick Gates, a young Baptist minister he hired to help him strategically give away his wealth.

His experience echoes the same lesson Solomon observed.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. (Ecclesiastes 5:10–12)

The Bible has a lot to say about money and possessions. To the surprise of many, God’s word never says money or wealth are bad. Instead, the misplaced priority and desire are what the Bible condemns.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. (1 Timothy 6:10a)

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

Whether rich, poor, or somewhere in the middle, we should all check our hearts as it relates to money and possessions. Consider these questions that help me keep my heart in check:

·      Are you being faithful and generous with what you currently have?

·      Are you content with God’s good gifts in your life?

·      Is gratitude a consistent theme in your prayer life?

We don’t have the wealth of Rockefeller, nor do we need it. Be content, work hard, practice generosity, be thankful, and sleep well.

By Philip Jones

Philip and his wife Stacy have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.