How much money does it take to be happy? When asked that question, John D. Rockefeller answered, “One dollar more.” In his time, he was opulently wealthy. But Rockefeller understood human nature, and the power of greed. What are the real riches that satisfy our souls?
Along with his wife and nephew, Abraham took a lot of money with him back to the Negev from Egypt. He had animals, silver, and gold. If he were like the man in Jesus’ parable, he could have built bigger barns for himself and told himself to eat, drink, and be merry (Luke 12:16-21). But Abram had a better idea. He prayed. Returning to Bethel and Ai where he had previously lived, he found the altar he had built before. There he called on the name of the Lord.
What if we returned to a place and time when we committed ourselves completely to Christ? If God has blessed us with material goods, we should thank him for them. But we must never set our hearts on wealth as the ultimate good. Why not? Because wealth makes a poor idol. Rockefeller was right. For the heart that seeks wealth above all else, no amount is ever quite enough. Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
