I honestly do find it odd that the Bible often plays directly to our desire to have riches... or even for getting even with our enemies... or being elevated to the positions of rulers over others, etc, et al.
Isn't that very interesting indeed!
God puts several things in Scripture that hold out rewards and treasures and glory. All things we want. But perhaps we don't trust those desires. We've seen the flesh pervert them in it's lusts for other things. Wealth meant for others. Glory gained in vain. Rewards from other men, but not God.
But we mustn't throw the baby with the bath.
2 Corinthians 5 rightly says that we don't want to put off our bodies and become disembodied, rather, that we want to be clothed upon with our eternal bodies, and that God made us this way. God gave us that desire. Why? Because He intends to fulfill it.
God gave us the desire for true riches, because that's what He wants for us. Jesus even commanded us to store our treasures in heaven, so we can have them for eternity.
2 Corinthians 4 teaches us to endure through the suffering knowing that even though we don't see it now, this suffering is building for us much more glory to come. And this appeals to our sense of compensation, but in reality God is simply describing His building process.
It is good that I was afflicted, for I have learned to keep Your law.
The affliction builds strengthens our spirit, and with an obedient heart we serve God. In serving God He then rewards us. His plan, not mine.
But I have to conclude that since God tells me to store treasure in heaven then He must want me rich there.
And if He tells me that afflictions bring glory, and says that if I'm wise I may shine like the sky, and tells me to work for the crown that doesn't fade, then He must want me to have glory.
And if He tells me to be careful with which I build, because the wrong things won't bring reward, it's because He wants me to have the good reward.
I believe Jesus wants these things for us, intends for us to have them, and makes this very clear to us so we can be on the same page.
Much love!
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