Someone once asked John D. Rockefeller how much money it would take to satisfy a man. He replied, “Just a little bit more.” Every one of us must be on guard constantly against that greedy, selfish spirit that makes money a god and things the supreme desire of life.
To save us from the slavery of materialism, the Lord has commanded us to use our possessions to honor him. Proverbs 3:9-10 reads, “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” If we would begin to obey this command, our world would be a vastly better place.
The Lord has a perfect right to make this demand of us, for all we have comes from him and belongs to him.
American publisher Bennett Cerf tells the story of the late Bishop Edwin Hughes having once offended a rich man in his church for saying that God owns everything. The wealthy man invited the bishop to his home for lunch and to see his expansive property that he had acquired. “Now,” he said to the bishop, “are you going to tell me that all this land does not belong to me?” Bishop Hughes responded, “Ask me that same question a hundred years from now.”
Many a Christian boasts that he knows his Bible, even though he never goes to church and gives precious little to relieve human need or suffering. He does not back up his boast with his money. As some unknown poet put it:
“But must I keep giving and giving again?”
“Ah, no,” said the angel (her eyes pierced me through)
“Just give till the Master quits giving to you!”