You have asked a question about what
it means to be "rich toward God". Of course the quote is from
Luke 12:21, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God." The rich man that had his pension plan in order but who
had not prepared for eternity was not "rich toward God" but was rich
in this life. He was a fool. I take it he was not saved.
The interpretation would mean that we should prepare for eternity before we
prepare for this life. We should live for eternity and not for this life.
Of course, we should recognize that earthly goods will have earthly blessing but
spiritual endeavors will reap spiritual blessing. The sermon on the mount
makes it clear that we should lay up treasure in heaven rather than treasure on
earth. We do that by using our resources to please the Lord and advance
the Gospel rather than by using them on self.
I am a CPA and I could be relatively wealthy but instead I sold my business to
preach the Gospel. I am nearing retirement, and I have invested all
that I have in the Lord's work. We are not poor by your standards in the
"third world" and we have never gone without a meal but many people
who could be a help to us and who could help us advance our work, do not have a
vision for it. And I am sure that you feel that the US could supply your
needs as well and that they don't do it. But remember, if we are short on
funds, since we work for the Lord, we need to ask Him for our resources.
We are not better than the Lord who did not
"have a place to lay his head."
