The Heart of a Rich Man

 

Riches and wealth have an up side, and they have a down side. The up side is the ability to effect and touch the lives of other people. The down side is the distraction of the heart from an eternal perspective to a temporal and earthly perspective.

            Jesus spoke much about riches. He said, “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” In His kingdom inaugural sermon He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things [that you have need of] will be given you.” And to a rich young ruler who faithfully kept the Mosaic law, Jesus lovingly said, “One thing you lack -- go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” And that man turned and walked away sad. After that conversation Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” He even had a statement about profit and loss. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?”

In twentieth-century America the average person has more disposable income than almost all of human kind of centuries past. That is the average person. The top tier of Americans, of whom there are more and more every year, probably have more wealth than an entire village in centuries past. I personally have friends who own several houses, multiple cars and recreation vehicles, and annuities and investments so massive that only their heirs could ever spend it all. I have seen men stand in front of the television, watching in delight, or in agony, as the financial report told them what they were worth on that day.

The heart of a rich man should be utterly thankful. God’s gracious and bountiful provision has blessed that man, no matter how hard he has worked to earn his wealth, or how wise he has been in business ventures. Yet so many complain about paying taxes, about regulations upon their investments, or the politicians who cause inflation, and every other sort of hardship.

The heart of a rich man should be generous, both to God and to those who are needy. Jesus praised the widow who gave her last mite, and chastised the religious leaders for tithing their cumin while ignoring the needs of the poor and oppressed. Abraham was a wealthy man, but he used his wealth to provide handsomely for employees and family alike, as he set out on a costly venture for God’s kingdom plan. The same is true of Noah, Job, Moses, David, Daniel, and Esther. God gave wealth to these men and women, and they used it for God’s kingdom.

The heart of a Godly rich man is not self-focused. It is not selfish. It is not stingy. It is not complaining. It is not hording. It does not always clamor for more. It never counts what it owns, but rejoices at what it can give. It is humble, never pretentious, prestigious, or prideful. Yes, it is wise in spending, in investing, and in giving, but never uses that carefulness as an excuse for personal gain. It always trusts God, for more or for less, in plenty or in need.

The heart of a rich man is measured by its focus. Are you content with God’s provision? Are you happy and eager to advance the kingdom of heaven? Or are you always wanting more, worried about your needs, your image, and your lifestyle? Are you focused on earthly treasures, and maybe you don’t even know it? Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.

“No servant can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. (Lk 16:13-14)

If you think your heart needs a check-up, to determine its focus, then talk to God about it. Not your accountant. Your finances are as important to Him as they are to you.

Samson and Khalil

Samson

The great hero from the Danite village of Zorah had a storied life of standing up to the Philistines, the persistent, brash bully from the southwest, down by the Great Sea. Samson made no secret of the fact that his masterful wit and unusual strength was not his own, but came from an anointing of the Spirit of the Lord. But he did keep secret the physical trait that was the link between his trust in God and God’s anointing on him. Until one fateful night, in the midst of a sordid encounter with Delilah.

The story of Samson as “deliverer extraordinaire” would have been a mostly honorable story of salvation rather than a story of a broken savior, if only the story had been left alone as it was ended by the chronicler (Judges 15:20). The story of Samson and Delilah was not part of the original account. It is an addendum, most likely recorded by Samson himself, and smuggled out of the Philistine prison. Allow me to read between the lines to portray the how and the why of Samson’s remarkable confession and disclosure.

Khalil

“Khalil, my friend, bring your parchment and ink and come sit with me. We must complete the story today. But before I get started I want you to know this, you have been to me the friend I never had. I was always such a loner, likely by God’s intention. God moved in your heart, though, to sit and listen to this foolish old man, through all my grief and shame. You have become a cherished confidant, but more than that, you will never know how much you have encouraged my heart to renew my trust in God.”

“You were so kind and good to listen to me share the grief and shame that I felt for the first few years, while sitting in constant darkness. I had trusted God’s calling and direction and He honored my trust. I smile every time I remember the foxes running through the wheat fields and vineyards, setting them on fire. And the riddle about the lion’s jawbone. That was such a good one, until that Timnite bride betrayed me at the wedding feast.  Yes, Khalil, you know those stories well, both from me and from your own people.  But you also know the deep shame that I felt. How could I have let God down so carelessly and presumptuously? All the good I ever did for my people is now mocked by them. And your people mock me even more.”  

“All they know is that I sit here in prison, wasting away now for these three years. They do not know what brought upon me such great shame. Except, you, Khalil will bring to them this story. You have written all that I told you of that sordid night I betrayed the most sacred secret to Delilah, and forsook my God. They will know and understand how important it is to be faithful to God’s calling and special anointing. And how God will judge and discipline his own people.”

“Khalil, you sense it as much as I do. God is stirring in my heart once again. And you helped to start that healing.  Do you remember what you said to me that cold winter night nearly a year ago?” ”Samson, you trusted God mightily before and He trusted you with His strength and wisdom. Your God is good enough to trust you once again, if you will but trust him as before.” That’s when the stirring began. Shame and grief held me down in despair for so long, but now I trust Him again. He will once again anoint me with strength, I am quite certain. I know He will.”

“So, here is the plan. Tomorrow is the feast day to worship the god, Dagon. They will want to mock me as always. We will go along with it, and I will put on a great display. You will wrap my head in a scarf, as usual, to hide the fact that my hair has grown back. We don’t want anyone to get wise to the fact that my strength could return. I want you to place me in the center of the temple, where the central pillars support the entire building.”

“Once you have attended me to their liking, I want you to quietly sneak out of the feast and take with you this roll of parchment. Take my story to the elders of Dan and Judah so they will know what El Elyon has accomplished. He is gracious to forgive and to restore when we humble our self before Him. He will not be mocked by anyone. He is anxious to display his grace and mercy and renew His presence with His people when they repent. His love is not forfeited by our failure, only when we remain in the grip of shame.”

“But Samson,” Khalil asked, “what will happen when I leave you in the temple? Should I return to care for you? How will your people know that God has renewed His love and His strength to you?”

“My dear friend, when you get to the crest of the hill east of the city I want you to stop and look back at the temple until you see the hand of God. Then you shall add to the story what you have seen. And Khalil, you will be welcome to live among my people. You will not want to return to your own people. Shalom, my Khalil. You have been good to me, and God will bless you.”

So Khalil added to the parchment as he sat on top of the hill, “Thus Samson killed many more when he died than while he lived.”