Saltwater Slaking and the Chief Rival God

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:33-34

“Can’t buy me love, Oh! Can’t be me love, Oh! Money can’t buy me love.” So sang the Beatles many years ago. Funny thing about that realization: it comes from a group who managed to amass a whole pile of money, only to discover that it didn’t really satisfy. They could have listened to Solomon who spoke not only about those who love money not having enough, but also about having amassed more worldly treasures than anyone in his time – but found them to be totally unsatisfying.

They say that people who are stranded at sea can kill themselves by trying to slake their thirst with seawater. It never truly satisfies. It does not provide true hydration. It provides false relief.

So too, money. But for many Christians money is not only a source of false-satisfaction, it is the chief rival god. The Bible does not say that money is evil. Money, however is a false god, and we cannot serve God and money. That’s why we are warned against the love of money. If it is our goal, it becomes our master. If it is our master, it is our god. Not only does money not buy love, it doesn’t save. Ever.

As a young boy I had trouble with this. My dad would say, “You can let your money be your master, or you can be the master of your money. You can control your money or your money will control you.” I believe I have finally learned this.

Jesus offers true riches – grace, love, mercy, truth, justice, forgiveness, righteousness, and salvation. He says these things will never be lost or stolen. They will not decay. They will not prove false. And they can be stored up in heaven. Purses that never wear out are made of faith, hope, and love. When we hold to our faith in Jesus Christ, fix our hearts on the hope of the resurrection, and love God first a most, we are storing up worthy treasure. Then our hearts will be fixed on God’s word and promises. And we will be eternally satisfied.

Those who run after other gods will never slake their thirst and will be eternally sad.