Material Success Depends on Spiritual Success

I was always intrigued when I heard that millionaires committed suicide, I was wondering as why would they put an end to their life? I could only imagine life for them as being full of glamor and prosperity.

However, experience proves the contrary, and as Nido Qobein puts it, I also agree that the accumulation of possessions cannot be enjoyed unless there is also an accumulation of spiritual success.

Jesus, the Son of God and the most prolific figure in the history of human kind repeated the same idea using the following words:What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Mathew 16: 26

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."Luke 12:15-21

Jesus wants us to focus on the things that are not seen with our physical eyes, He wants us to think in perspective. It is only at funerals that we are reminded how frail we actually are, and how easily our lives end…

Therefore seeing all things from the highest perspective - that is the perspective of the only man and God who defeated death and sin, Jesus Christ, Who is the embodiment of the living God - is the most important for a human life.

I’m not saying that being rich is a sin, no, Abraham was rich but if your heart is withheld by the possessions you have, your heart is in the wrong place.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10

So it is not the money itself, but your love for them that leads to destruction. Love of money is a false security; most people find a certain financial security due to a substantial bank account, but it can fly away so easily!

I have recently heard the experience of a man who grew up in a wealthy family. He had everything he wanted but there was not peace and understanding in that home. Tensions and struggles were present, the satisfaction was missing in spite of all material possessions and it was only when he found Christ that this man found meaning in his life. A higher meaning, the love his soul was longing for. He is today an evangelist that goes worldwide to tell people what he has found in Christ.

God can see and judge the hearts of the ones who give:"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on." Mark 12:43

Yet if we give everything we own with any other motivation but love, will make our offerings void…"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3

To conclude with, the only rich person is the one who does not depend on material things for his/her richness. The real richness is Life itself, is God; the way to God is Jesus. Once you meet Him, you’ll find the treasure you’ve always longed for!