Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:9-10
“Poor worldlings! They labor and toil to acquire an increase of wealth and property, but never enjoy repose: the more they accumulate riches, the greater their disquietude and vexation… The rich of this world are, of all men, the most miserable; because, the more they possess the more they desire to possess. They never succeed in attaining all the objects of their wishes, and therefore they are far poorer than men who have but a competency, and seek God alone. These are truly rich, because they are content with their condition, and find God in every good.”
Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) in Sermon XIII “On the unhappy life of sinners, and on the happy life of those who love God,” part 3, in Sermons: For all the Sundays in the Year (London: Aeterna Press, 2015).
I am hearing troubling advice from so-called Christian financial advisors. They are saying that the answer to the desire to accumulate is to come up with a “financial finish line.” They basically defined that as setting a goal for income and wealth accumulation. They suggest that people need to answer the question, “How much is enough?” in financial terms.
What would Jesus say in response? Here’s what He said to the person who set a “financial finish line” in Scripture. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21
What’s the flaw in “financial finish line” thinking? There are many. Ligouri notes a few. They “never enjoy repose” or rest. They take on greater “disquietude and vexation” which means they fill life with restlessness and frustration. Worst of all, they “never succeed in attaining all the objects of their wishes.” They would do well to read Psalm 49 to gain perspective.
Anyone who answers the question, “How much is enough?” and links it to money is afflicted with the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). There is only one correct answer to the “How much is enough?” question. The answer is “God! God is enough!” If you think you need to accumulate any sum of money, you are “the rich fool” and a “poor worldling” to be pitied.
Do yourself a favor. Abandon the financial finish line thinking and choose instead to fear the Lord. To the person who accumulated riches, Jesus pointedly said, “Go, sell and give, then come and follow” (Mark 10:21). You won’t figure it out until you live it out, that letting go of money opens your hands to take hold of the only thing, the only One, that is enough: God!
Here’s my alternative biblical advice which works for everyone on earth. Store up accumulated wealth in heaven right now in obedience to Jesus. Work productively as long as God gives you life. Save money only to pay cash for purchases. Enjoy living on a mina (three month’s income) as a faithful slave of Christ and return any gain to our good Master.