While scrolling through Facebook today I noticed two different news sites with the same story. A famous rapper, worth $2.5 billion, refused to loan his cousin $4800. There is no explanation in either story stating why he refused or what the cousin needed the money for.
Only the ones involved really know the back story, but it shocked me that someone with that amount of money could refuse family. I don’t know the reason, and He could have a great reason, but it just seems odd on its face. The story went on to say it would be the equivalent of someone making $50,000 per year and refusing to loan a single dime….literally .10 cents.
This was a shock to me but what hit me harder was the comments. It was apparent that those who commented were fully committed to greed. Comments stating he owes no one, not even family. And the most frequent comment was if this rapper always gives to people then he wouldn’t be in a position of great wealth. The comments revealed just how depraved and full of greed the human heart can be. This is my opinion, but I also challenge anyone to prove different.
Wealth can be a great tool if used properly. We can bless so many people by being good stewards with what we have been given. And yes, although he earned it, it was also given, either from above or below. To hold to wealth as a means of survival or status is purely evil I believe.
Yes, we need money to pay bills and afford food but it will not extend your survival rate because we all have an appointment from God that will be kept. And money to maintain status is a worthless endeavor because we can be brought low and ground to dust at any moment and money won’t stop it or shorten it.
In the grave what will money do? Will the coffin know your wealth? Will the worm skip you and only feed on the bodies of the less fortunate? Will your money preserve your body? No, it won’t preserve you in death or life.
Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” Matthew 5:42 “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Acts 4:34 “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold”
Giving is a core tenent of the Christian religion, but we also see it practiced by non believers as well who show some sort of care for humanity. The atheist, Hindu, buddhist,sikh, muslim, who gives money and time to feed the homeless, orphans and widows. Greed has its place in every faction of humanity and charity as well, but greed has no place in the Christians heart. We are to be givers because we recognize the great gift given to us.
Is it OK to withhold from others? I believe the answer is yes, but only if we know that by giving to that person it will further enable them to become destructive with what they will be receiving. Will I give money to a drunkard or drug addict? No, because the testimony of their current state in life shows me what they will likely do with that money. That doesn’t mean I shouldnt help them in other ways, it means I should be a good steward with what’s been given to me and use it to better help that person. Rather than give money, take the the money and buy what they need for them, food, pay bills, ect. God expects us to help, He commands us to give, He places us in situations so we can do so, and supplies us with the very thing to meet the needs.
The world has become a slave to greed, hoarding up everything they can get their hands on and flaunting it so all can see how much they have. It’s our duty to deal wisely with what God gives us, to help those who seek help, and share the mercies and graces that we receive that we did not deserve. If you have 2.5 billion or $2.50 it will serve you well to give rather than cling to it, trusting that God will provide again and again.
No King but Christ 