A few weeks ago my family and I were in San Jose, Mexico (basically Cabo San Lucas).  We were privileged to stay at a really nice resort with my brother-in-law and his family.  The service and accommodations were wonderful.  One morning when I was sitting alone admiring the infinite pool and observing the other vacationers, I pondered about how comfortable I felt in that moment and how it related to my destiny.  It’s kind of an odd thing to say now, but that’s the best way I can explain it.  A flood of thoughts came to me about my comfortableness and how it was probably related to money and being in a place where everything was provided.

For several years now I’ve had a growing desire to build up wealth in order to give in abundance.  The idea of being able to give significant amounts of money to friends, family, church, and society is really exciting to me.  However, the last year I have also been dwelling on the Bible verse Luke 18:25 (can also be found in other gospels): “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Would it ever be possible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle?  The answer to this is never, unless God performed a miracle.  As I thought about this more, I questioned whether building wealth would actually be a wise venture.  If it is virtually impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, then why would I want to be a rich man?  What is it about being rich that makes it so difficult to even enter the kingdom of God?

My “epiphany” on the shaded pool lounger gave some possible answers to this question.  I found myself so comfortable with my surroundings that I hadn’t really felt reliant or the need for God in my life.  I had all I needed right?  Good food, exceptional service, and the occasional Chi-Chi cocktail by the poolside bar was my only worry in life.  My one year daughter is the one exception to this, but my point is that momentarily I questioned if my destiny in life even mattered.  That is an extreme way to put it, but what if I did feel that way?

I don’t think money or wealth in itself is the danger.  I think the danger is that money and wealth can cause us to think we have full control over our lives.  Lately my wife and I have been watching the TV show “Smallville” and the character of Lex Luthor depicts this extremely well.  He has so much wealth that he seemingly has full control of his life and other people’s lives.  I personally don’t think it’s impossible for a rich man to live each and every moment abiding in the Lord, but I can definitely see how it would be very difficult to.  I’d imagine that you’d have to live each and every day detached to your wealth so that if it all vanished in a single day you’d still be content with your life in the Lord.

One thing I am still thinking about is the dichotomy of these recent thoughts and my remaining desire to build wealth for the sake of giving.  Money is a part of our world whether we like it or not.  Why not master the skill of building wealth and using that wealth for good?  In the end wisdom from the Lord will answer these questions.  And if there is grace for my family and I to build wealth, may I live in it at all times seeking true riches from the Lord.