What an insightful cartoon! This strikes at the heart of Western materialism, doesn’t it? The biblical model which ought to govern our relationship to possessions is found in I Timothy 6 where we read, “17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
I see at least seven points from this text:
(1) It is okay that there is a category of THE RICH among Christians.
(2) But the rich need to be warned not to put their hope in their material wealth.
(3) One’s hope in God can be replaced by one’s over-focus on their possessions.
(4) God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
(5) Believers are to be RICH in good deeds.
(6) Believers are to be generous and willing to share.
(7) Using our material wealth carefully will lay up treasure for us in heaven.
That ought to be the elements of the Christian’s motto!
Dr. Larry Dixon