God has a better economy. One not based on dollars and competition, but based on love, faithfulness, and everlasting values.
Inspired by God, King David wrote:
“Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
For the redemption of their souls is costly,
And it shall cease forever—
That he should continue to live eternally,
And not see the Pit.” [1]
Money cannot ultimately thwart death for me or for anyone else.
“Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies, he shall carry nothing away;
His glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lives, he blesses himself
(For men will praise you when you do well for yourself),
He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They shall never see light.
A man who is in honor, yet does not understand,
Is like the beasts that perish.” [2]
This world is passing away.
What is considered success here, is not success in the life after death.
“Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.” [3]
Will the statement above be a fitting epitaph on our gravestone? I hope not.
Jesus Christ demonstrated the economy of heaven by His choices…
“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.” [4]
He sacrificed Himself for our sins, so that our sins would be forgiven and forgotten by God His Father and that all who believe in Him could have a “happily-ever-after” in heaven with God forever when this life is over.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely, they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.” [5]
The Godhead was forever changed when Christ came to earth. Now, in heaven, there appears a Lamb of God, the Son of God [6]. He still bears the wounds He received on earth for our sake. He holds those hands out as He intercedes for us that each person on earth will choose life… that we will believe in Him and receive everlasting life. [7]
What is the proper response to such an opportunity to escape from the evil ways of this world and to gain an entrance into such a heavenly one?
“Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
We can cry out to God as King David did when he realized he had made the wrong choices due to the evil desires in his heart…
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.” [9]
Why? Because…
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” [10]
[1] Psalm 49:6-9
[2] Psalm 49:16-20
[3] Psalm 52:7
[4] 2 Corinthians 8:9
[5] Isaiah 49:15-16
[6] Revelation 5:6
[7] John 1:11-12
[8] Romans 13:11-14
[9] Psalm 51:10-13
[10] Psalm 51:17
Credit to Dr. Seuss for this publication.
| Publisher | Redbook (magazines) Random House (book) |
|---|---|
Publication date
| July 1953 (Redbook) (The Sneetches) March 1954 (Redbook) (The Zax) August 28, 1961 (renewed 1989) |
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