HEATHER MOLENDYK | CONTRIBUTOR

If you were to observe my children while we discuss things like family vacations, clothing accessories, or entertainment activities, you would think their faces belong on posters for Compassion International. As many American families can attest, the current economic climate puts the squeeze on how far each dollar will go. In fact, a dollar usually needs to bring along a friend (or seven) in order to have any fun at the cash register. All that to say, when my husband was treated to a gift card for a posh restaurant, we were thrilled.

As we parked our compact car between the luxury vehicles and navigated tables occupied by chic diners, my mood took a turn. I became about as delightful as a cat getting a belly rub during bath time. Excusing myself to wash up before lunch and to try to salvage my sour attitude, the Holy Spirit flicked me between the eyes and revealed the sin in my heart. I was coveting money.

What is money?

Money is a token that is traded for something that is needed or wanted. Its value is derived from the desire of another person to possess it. For example, if I need a gallon of milk and a box of cereal more than the five-dollar bill in my wallet, I will happily surrender my money to Walmart so that I can leave the store with items to feed my family breakfast. If my family desires to see the latest movie, we will eagerly put on a garage sale to trade some household goods for money to spend at the local movie theater.

There have been times in history when money has absolutely no value to anyone. Remember the Titanic? As the ship was sinking into the dark, icy ocean, people of all levels of society were scrambling to climb into the lifeboats. Because there were not enough boats to save all the passengers, choices were made. In that sort of situation, no one in their right mind would have traded their seat on a lifeboat for any amount of money. Getting out of the lifeboat was a death sentence. Money would not save them.

I pondered about the Titanic while I returned to my table set with linen and real silver and the weight of my sinful attitude settled on me. Instead of enjoying the beauty of nicely dressed people in a classy restaurant nestled in the heart of a thriving city, I was bitterly counting all the things I didn’t have. Instead of thanking God for the opportunity to enjoy a kind gift, I was accusing Him in my heart of all the things I have been denied. In essence, I was throwing all the wonderful blessings God has entrusted to me back in His face because I felt I deserved more.

Shameful.

Wrath is coming.

The book of Revelation describes a day far worse than the sinking of the Titanic. Chapter 6:15-17 states:

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks,  “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

As the Titanic passengers experienced first-hand, wealth, power, or status won’t save a soul from death. When the wrath of the Lamb arrives, it won’t matter about the diversity of your investment portfolio. It won’t matter how high you climbed the corporate ladder. It won’t matter the social circles you kept. All people will be “naked and exposed” to the one “we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).

Who can stand?

Making it to the top with all the luxuries life has to offer is meaningless if we fail to find the greatest treasure – a relationship with Christ. Why do I continually chase after something that has no eternal value? I already have Christ. There is no better treasure.

God is the provider of everything needed in life. Every. Single. Thing.

God always provides my basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. He doesn’t promise to keep up with the latest fads, trends, or popular branding. But He provides what I need at the exact moment I need it.

God provides security. Absolutely nothing can snatch me from His hand. Family may disappoint. Friends may betray. Economies may crash. Terrorists might win the battle. But God will not lose the war. All the children He has claimed will firmly remain in His grasp.

Most importantly, God provides salvation for His people. God sent Jesus who was “made perfect” and “became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb. 5:9).

While digging into delicious food, my husband and I looked at the list of all God has given us and compared it to the temporal token of money. Compared to the glory of God, money is disappointingly unimpressive. We partnered our meal with the promises and provisions of God. Our steaks were tasty. The dessert was decadently delicious. But nothing compared to the sweetness of leaving covetousness in the restaurant bathroom where it belongs.

Photo by Nils Stahl on Unsplash