Acquiring Wisdom, Not Money

ACQUIRING WISDOM, NOT MONEY

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

Their fame will not last.

They will die, just like animals.

This is the fate of fools,

though they are remembered as being wise.

Like sheep, they are led to the grave,

where death will be their shepherd.

In the morning the godly will rule over them.

Their bodies will rot in the grave,

far from their grand estates.

But as for me, God will redeem my life.

He will snatch me from the power of the grave.

So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich

and their homes become ever more splendid.

For when they die, they take nothing with them.

Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

In this life they consider themselves fortunate

and are applauded for their success.

But they will die like all before them

and never again see the light of day.

People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;

they will die, just like animals.

We get so caught up with admiring the wealthy and acquiring wealth in our culture. Money tricks us into thinking that those who have it are indestructible. Indeed, if we could be objective, we would be shocked at the lengths we go to in order to find security in money. We strive to get to whatever the next level is in our context, often putting our families and health at risk. Trying to “keep up” with our neighbors or coworkers drives us to live beyond our means and chain ourselves to unthinkable amounts of debt. We end up serving money instead of making money serve us. Money and stuff can neither save us from death nor grant us life, and it’s those who know and live out this truth whom we can call wise. They understand. How might our lives be shaped if we shifted our focus from admiring the wealthy and acquiring wealth to admiring the wise and acquiring wisdom?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Take a few moments, remembering you are in God’s loving presence, to reflect on the extent to which you seek security in money or possessions. Examine how you spend your time and energy. Consider what worries you or keeps you up at night. What did God bring to mind?
• What practices tend to build your trust in God and your ability to find your security in him instead of in things such as money and possessions?

Lord, keep me centered on you. Oh how my heart can wander. Forgive me. When my loyalty shifts to other things, such as money and possessions, bring me back to you. Give me strength and courage to live differently than this culture dictates. In the moments or seasons when money seems more palpable and real than you do, keep me faithful to you. Help me grow in wisdom and understanding so my life reflects devotion to you and nothing else. Amen.