Why does the Bible say that the rich will vanish in the midst of their activities?

“You’re not supposed to live on toys because you can’t take them to heaven,” says 8-year-old Adrienne.

Adults also try to live on toys. The difference is that adults pay for their toys. TV commercials look so clever, but no toy from one manufacturer has ever filled the void in a customer’s soul. That emptiness in our souls is reserved for an infinite and loving God.

“You can’t take all your stuff to heaven. Your kids would have to take it, plus they’ll fight over it,” says 9-year-old Jacob.

When it comes to dividing deceased parents’ estates among surviving children, it’s real-life drama.

“The rich won’t take your dog or your basketball, but they’ll take your heart and soul,” says 10-year-old Hannah.

We get so much comfort from things, skills, and achievements, but what if everything was stripped away in a moment?

“The rich fade away because they focus on money and not on God and Jesus. They have to keep their eyes on God and Jesus,” says 7-year-old Landen.

The Bible is not against wealth. Abraham, the father of all believers, was rich. However, the Bible warns against putting our hope in riches because they will vanish.

“People should focus on heavenly things,” says 11-year-old Grant. “If God has blessed you financially, you should use it to glorify Him. If you have a lot of money, you should give it to those in need or to places where you can help people.”

Wealth brings responsibility. The Christian attitude is that we are stewards of all property under our control. Everything belongs to God. We are responsible to him for how it is used.

Jesus told the story of a man who entrusted his three servants with different amounts of money. Two of the three invested wisely and secured a profit for his mistress, but one hid the money from him because he was afraid. Jesus rewarded productive servants, but punished the fearful and worthless servant (Matthew 25:14-30).

“We should lay down treasures for ourselves in heaven, not treasures on earth because they will wither,” says 8-year-old Ransom. The Bible says that those who are rich in their activities are like flowers in the field that wither in the scorching heat of the sun (James 1:10-11).

Christians with divided loyalties live unstable lives. They switch between love of God and love of riches. The double-minded Christian is a bundle of confusing messages and contradictions.

“Some people only think about money and don’t accept Christ. When they die, they don’t go to heaven,” says 11-year-old Allen.

This is the final loss. In God’s economy, if you own the whole world but lose your soul, you are ruined, bankrupt forever.

So great is our tendency to depend on riches to the exclusion of God that Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter his kingdom. It is practically a miracle when the rich humble themselves to trust the one who gave up the riches of heaven to die on a shameful cross to pay for our sins.

Think about this: Truly wealthy people see themselves in relation to God, not their property.

Memorize this truth: “For as soon as the sun rises in scorching heat, the grass dries up; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So also the rich will vanish in their business” (James 1:11).

Questions to ask: Are you really rich? Do you know the riches of communion with God? Do you know the peace that comes from being content in all circumstances? If you are a Christian whom God has prospered, are you looking for opportunities to invest in advancing the kingdom of God?