Money Doesn’t Talk
Read Zephaniah 1:1–3:20
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7. Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. The Lord has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners.
8. “On that day of judgment,” says the Lord, “I will punish the leaders and princes of Judah and all those following pagan customs.
9. Yes, I will punish those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies, and those who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit. . . .
12. I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.
13. So their property will be plundered, their homes will be ransacked. They will build new homes but never live in them. They will plant vineyards but never drink wine from them.” Zephaniah 1:7-9, 12-13
In Zephaniah’s time some of the people of Judah were financially secure. However, Zephaniah had a message from the Lord for them on investing. Apparently, some of them had received a bad investment tip and were at risk of losing it all. As you read this passage, learn the lesson that some things cannot be bought at any price.
Israel had silver and gold, but no holiness. God said that their riches would not help them when it came time to account for their sins (Zephaniah 1:18).
In this life, we often rely on money for a sense of security and power. When we are poor, we feel weak. When we are rich, we feel strong. But wealth doesn’t make us right with God. Nor can it buy our salvation or influence God’s will. At the final judgment our riches will be worthless.
If you’re already rich, ask God to help you maintain a humble attitude, use what you have for his glory, and live righteously. If you’re middle class or poor, rather than working to accumulate wealth, work at cultivating holiness. It’s the one thing you can take with you when you die.
