How can I have so much, yet still be poor?

America’s most miserly millionaire was John G. Wendel who died in 1915 at his home at Fifth Avenue and 39th Street, New York City. To keep in the family the vast fortune he and his six sisters had inherited, Wendel remained a bachelor and managed to keep five of the girls unmarried and virtual prisoners in this house for 50 years. Furthermore, he instilled such frugality in his sisters that when the last one died in 1931 it was found that, while her estate amounted to more than $100,000,000, she had never had a telephone, electricity or an automobile and that her only dress was one she had made herself and worn for nearly 25 years. ^[1]

Believe it or not this story is repeated many times throughout history, individuals that have more money than any of us could dream of, yet never enjoy the use of that money. Many view money as evil, which the Scriptures do not. It is our attitude toward money that is the key.

God’s Word brings to light some sobering warnings concerning the truth that having a lot of money is not equal to being “rich” in the truest sense. When God speaks on riches from His perspective, quality is always the issue, not quantity. Consider what Scripture brings to light.

A.  A rich man can be poor – when he seeks satisfaction from Money.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 6:7 All a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet the appetite is not satisfied.

True satisfaction flows from what you “ARE” not what you have!

B. A rich man can be poor – When Money increases his worries.

Luke 12:15–20 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’  “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’

What quality of life is there when your possessions overwhelm you to the point that you fret over them? Sadly with this example, after making more room for more stuff, this man becomes complacent about life and decides that his “stuff” guarantees him long life. Money can make you comfortable, but not add one second to the time the Lord has given you!

C. A rich man can be poor – when he becomes a slave to his Money

Isaiah 44:14–17 Surely he cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” 

But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.”

In my years of ministry I have witnessed this fatal mindset time and time again. An individual begins to make money in order to live, and before he knows it he is living to make money. The very thing that was supposed to serve him, as a slave has become his master!

D. A rich man can be poor – when his only “riches” is Money

Matthew 6:19  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Luke 12:31–33 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.

Everything we own must stay here when we leave this existence and move into eternity. However, how we handle what we own and what we do with it can be investment in our eternity. God honors all that we do that would truly be in His name. Helping those that are weak or poor, providing aid to those in catastrophes, helping educate folks and most important, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, all of these are investments for His glory that go into eternity with you. 

It has been said many times: “You can’t take it with you.” If we are talking of our possessions that is true, but if we are talking about how we used our possessions, than a truer statement would be: “You can send it ahead!”

Meditation: What are your riches? Do you enjoy the possessions God has given you? Do you believe He desires that? What’s the balance? How far are you planning ahead with your investments?

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^[1] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.