True Wealth

I think this money-hungry couple statue is a hoot!  It's located near the entrance of the Harrah Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.  While my husband and I don't gamble, we still enjoy wandering along the famous Las Vegas Strip and peering inside the extravagant hotels.  The characters in this statue represent gamblers who "made it big" (a rare occurance I'm told).  The guy's name is "Buck," the woman is "Winnie," and the dog is, "Chip."  It's clever and it's also a vivid picture of how the world views wealth -- as a very desirable commodity!

My point here is that you can have all the money in the world -- or at least have your pockets and your bags stuffed with cash as this couple do, and you can still be poor.  That oxymoron is taught throughout scripture.  The bottom line is that riches without a relationship with God are empty.  Wealth may give momentary pleasure, but those who have fat bank accounts always want fatter bank accounts -- people are never satisfied when it comes to earthly pleasures.

But, when it comes to the spiritual wealth of a relationship with God Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of this entire everything -- well, that is exceedingly fulfilling and rich beyond words -- and immensely satisfying.  I like the way the Psalmist put it, "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver" 119:72. 

While having adequate money to pay your bills, stay healthy and take care of your needs is of definite importance, it takes a back seat to the importance of the sweet fellowship of our Heavenly Father. 

I''ll end with a song by the group Avalon, called, "I Can't Live a Day Without You," that speaks of this very thing:  "....I could have all life offers, riches that were far byond compare to grant my every wish without a care, oh, I could do anything, oh, yes, but if You weren't in it all -- I couldn't face my life tomorrow without your hope in my heart I know, I can't live a day without You.  Lord, there's no night and there's no morning without your loving arms to hold me, you're the heartbeat of all I do.  I can't live a day without You."