What is the cost of pursuing success and wealth in this ever-changing world economy? At times, the spouse is the one who pushes the sole bread winner not to disappoint the family and has demands for a much better life! This will add stress and disagreement between the spouses which will cause sorrow.
There may also be anxiety when we have a lot of money because we may not trust anyone. We will question the motives of people who are close to us and who want to befriend us. It will slowly but surely have a control over our lives. This is another kind of sorrow, not having any real friends!
Many have lived in regret and sorrow if they are honest with themselves when they are reflecting on their deathbed. Imagine if someone is on their deathbed and reflects upon the broken marriages, the strained relationships with their children and the hurtful words that have been uttered. Unfortunately, we might not be aware or live in denial while we are pursuing success and significance regardless of the cost we are paying. Many have lived a life filled with pain and sorrow despite their riches. However, we can still make the decision to repent and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior!
The greatest sorrow besides those on earth is in hell when we are separated from the Lord for eternity. This applies to those who have procrastinated in their decisions to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The word ‘perdition’ refers to the damnation of men who have chosen the desire to be rich and the love of money over making Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. You would have read of how a rich man was suffering in Hades (see Luke 16:19-31). He was remorseful and his memory reminded him of his brothers who were still on earth. It was a place of regret without any opportunity to turn back or make things good.
It is the DESIRE TO BE RICH AND THE LOVE OF MONEY that is the root of ALL KINDS OF EVIL! Some people have a seared conscience and are void of emotions when they are pursuing money and significance in life.
Money is neutral. All of us need money to pay for housing, children’s education, daily necessities regardless whether we are rich, middle class or poor. But it is better to have our identity in Christ so that it is easier to start all over again if there is a need to do so in this fluctuating economic environment.
Sermon Series – Balancing Godliness and Riches (Part 2)
追求财富和成功会招致愁苦吗？
提摩太前书6:9-10但那些想要发财的人，就陷在迷惑、落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里，叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。10贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财，就被引诱离了真道，用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。
在这诡谲动荡的世界经济中，追求成功和财富的代价是什么？有时候，配偶会施压给家中那位挣钱养家之人，要求其不要让家人失望，并要求过上更好的生活！这会增加配偶之间的压力和分歧，从而招致愁苦!
当我们拥有太多的金钱时，也会有焦虑，因为我们或许不再信任任何人了。我们会质疑自己身边的人，或者那些想与我们交朋友的人，怀疑他们的动机。它会慢慢地但很确定地，控制我们的生命。这又是一种愁苦，没有真朋友的愁苦！
许多人在临终前回顾一生，如果他们对自己诚实的话，他们曾活在痛悔和愁苦之中。 想象一下，如果有人在临终前，回想起自己破裂的婚姻，与子女之间紧张的关系以及说过的伤人的言语。不幸的是，当我们不顾代价地追求成功和意义时，我们可能没有意识到或者生活在否认中。许多人虽然富有但一生都在痛苦和悲伤中度过。然而，我们仍然能够做出决定来悔改，承认耶稣基督是我们的主和救主!
除了在世的痛苦，最大的愁苦莫过于当我们永远与主隔绝沉沦地狱之中。这适用于那些拖延决定接受耶稣基督成为他们的救主的人。“永劫不复”一词指的是那些不接受耶稣基督为其救主，选择发财的渴望和对金钱的贪恋之人所遭受的天谴。你读过一个财主怎样在阴间受苦。（路加福音16:19-31）。他很懊悔，他的记忆让他想起了他那些还活在世上的兄弟们。那是一个充满痛悔的地方，没有机会回头，也无法作出弥补。
对财富的渴望和对钱财的贪爱才是万恶之源！当人们在追求金钱和生命的意义时，有些人良心凋敝，感情空虚。
钱财本身无分善恶。无论是富人、中产阶级还是穷人，我们都需要钱来支付住房、孩子的教育和购买日常必需品。但我们最好拥有自己在基督里的身份，在这个动荡的经济环境下，如果有必要重新开始的话，就会比较容易。
讲章系列: 平衡敬虔和富足（第二部分）