Bacon, Eggs and God

Rich

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Prior to our journey to Macau I had read that by 2020, the city would overtake oil-rich Qatar with the highest per-capita gross domestic product of any country or jurisdiction on earth.

After spending some time in Macau, known as the Las Vegas of Asia and the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, wealth and opulence can be seen almost everywhere.

In fact, Macau is so rich that it even pays its citizens a yearly stipend. Residents of city receive an annual payment from the government because they have such a massive surplus of money from casino profits.

The danger of riches?

Riches tend to make it difficult to see faith; leading one trust in riches, instead of in God. They encourage the possessor to love the world and to withhold their heart from God. Wealth hinders humility, charity and goodwill toward others. They prevent meekness. And worst of all, they make a person hard and unyielding; difficult to convince of what is true, unwilling to be persuaded, or to submit to the doctrines as found in the Scriptures.

Wealth tends to lead a person to become an atheist. With riches they see themselves as dependent on no one; hence, they believe themselves to be their own master.

The rich are often immersed in idolatry. From the worship of no God there is an easy transition to, the worship of false gods.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

One who loves not the Creator will certainly love the creature; for example, the gratification of the outward senses. Even a moderate sensuality, a practicing form of Epicurism will be quite enough to keep the soul dead to God and all true Scriptural beliefs.

Self-interest, pride, self-will and contempt for those with less, are common attributes found in the culture of the rich. These traits are a stumbling block in the way of true Scriptural salvation.

Riches captivate a person’s affections. The rich consider wealth as being the chief good,  and when obtained, they believe they have gained all. They are proud of their wealth; unwilling to be numbered with the poor. Wealth robs one of time; filling the mind with cares and anxieties which leave little time to consider a Holy and Righteous God.

In general, it is difficult to acquire wealth without an admixture of sin, greed, covetousness, fraud and oppression; all hindrances to knowing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Probably why Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.