Biblical Answer

The Futility of Material Wealth

The Bible warns against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of wealth. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus teaches that true wealth lies not in accumulating riches, but in storing up treasures in heaven. He says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus is warning us that our focus on material wealth can lead to spiritual bankruptcy. When we prioritize our wealth and possessions over our relationship with God, we become distracted from what truly matters.

The Illusion of Security

The idea that our retirement savings can provide us with security is an illusion. The Bible teaches that true security comes from God, not from our possessions. Psalm 118:8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans." (Psalm 118:8) We are reminded that our trust should be in God, not in our bank accounts or retirement portfolios. When we put our trust in material possessions, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and disillusionment. As the Bible says, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7) Our pursuit of material wealth can lead to a life of slavery, where we are bound to the whims of our bank accounts and investments.

The Call to Prioritize Eternity

As Christians, we are called to prioritize eternity over material wealth. We must recognize that our time on earth is short, and that our focus should be on building a legacy that will last forever. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus teaches us to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) This means that we should prioritize our relationship with God and our spiritual well-being over our pursuit of material wealth. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of materialism and focus on what truly matters – building a life that reflects God's values and priorities. As the Bible says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19) Instead, we should focus on storing up treasures in heaven, where they will last forever. (Matthew 6:20)