Wealth and Chinese Food…

People say that when they eat Chinese food, or at least what in America passes for Chinese food, they get really full but in just a little while they are hungry again.  According to a quick internet search, this is either because of the MSG which is used or the fact that much of the food is rice and/or noodles which are high in carbohydrates but which don’t leave you with a lasting “full” feeling.  (No, this blog did not turn into a food blog!).  I don’t know if Chinese food really is not filling but I do know that riches are not “filling”.  Let’s read Proverbs 13:7-11

There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.  The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.  The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.  10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.  11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

Verse 7 is my main focus.  Notice that there is one who is rich but yet has nothing yet the poor has great riches.  What true intrinsic value does money have?  Money has no intrinsic value in itself.  Money is simply a tool to purchase things which have value.  Yet, the Bible warns over and over again about making money the focus of your life.  1 Timothy says that “the love of money is the root of all evil…”  If money is your “god” then do you really have anything?  Not according to Proverbs.  Yet the poor are more likely to seek the things of this life that have real, intrinsic value such as friendship, love, grace, etc…

So, next time you crack open one of those little white containers filled with lo mein or fried rice or General Tsao’s chicken (who is General Tsao by the way?), use that opportunity to ask yourself what role “riches” are playing in your life.  Heed the words of Proverbs 13 and don’t make riches your god.  If you do, you’re going to soon have an empty feeling.

In wisdom,
Eric

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