Sika Asem!

I am a relatively young man and like most guys my age, one of the main if not most predominant thoughts I have is about money and how I’m going to make it in life. I’m sure this concern is common to many and to an extent it’s even expected of every young man starting out in life. This concern for money and advancement is made even more pronounced by the tough economic times we’re in and the ever increasing responsibilities associated with growing up. To borrow the truism from that old song, “to be a man, na wa ooo”

That notwithstanding, I’m a man of faith so I endeavor to make sure all my actions are guided by and in accord with the tenets of the faith I profess and with money being such a salient issue, I couldn't possibly gloss over what the holy text has to say about it if I take my faith seriously. I like to think I do!

Firstly, i recognize that God is the source of all wealth and riches! It is he who created all things. Therefore all things belong to him. It is he who gives us the strength to get wealth (Deut.8:18) and it is he who blesses us with riches (Pro.10:22). Therefore, as his child, I don’t have to set my heart on attaining riches (Matt.6:21) neither I’m I to be worried about the possible lack thereof (Mat.6:25-33). Simply put, I must not love money! (Psa.62:10)

Secondly, the holy text also gives the rationale behind its caveat of not wanting to be rich. It clearly delineate the dangers and harms we risk incurring on ourselves should we entertain such a desire.

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” 1Tim.6:9 ESV

From the above verse, i risk falling into:
• temptation
• a snare
• senseless and harmful desire
• ruin and destruction
Now, I don’t think one must be a genius to realize these are not palatable and thus they be eschewed.

Thirdly, wanting to be rich when you’re a child of God can only be attributed to greed. Think about it. Imagine you’re the child of Bill Gates. Why would you desire to be rich knowing your dad is the richest man in the world? The wealth of your father is as good as yours so why would you again want to be rich? Is it that you don’t trust your father to take care of you? Then you’re an ungrateful child because you make your father out to be miserly and uncaring with that attitude! If that’s not the case then the only other option that comes to mind is greed! You’re simply greedy!

Fourthly, God has promised never to leave me nor forsake me(Heb.13:5). His word assures me that "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (Psa.84:11) Moreover "the LORD is my shepherd, i shall not want"(Psa.23:1) because he'll provide my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phi.4:19). Oh such blessed assurances i have from my sovereign God!!

In conclusion, i have basically two options. Either i ignore clear teachings of scripture and have my way and thus incur the enumerated consequence or i submit my will to God's and follow his way? I pray the latter! I would work hard and plead the favour of God on all my endeavors because it is “the blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” Pro.10:22