Selfishness is a foolish reason to acquire wealth. If the only motivation we can find within ourselves is to benefit ourselves - to build bigger barns, to have larger investment portfolios - we truly are fooling ourselves. Most people inherently know the truth of this and so will fool themselves on the second level. They’re not storing up just for them, but for their family. Doubly foolish because you’ll just ruin (spoil) the kids while at the same time take away the most precious thing they need that only you can give - yourself and your time.

It’s foolish to store up for yourself only so that you can rest and simply enjoy the rest of your life. This is the Retirement Deception. What are the deceptions? Young retiree. Healthy. Point of retirement is to take life easy. Lying in a hammock. No worries. And who is responsible for this? YOU! Jesus says this entire attitude is foolish. That may be the American dream but it’s not the Christian dream!

None of us can take even one day for granted. To live life as if we have an endless supply is “foolish!” ἄφρων is the word in the Greek, only used twice in Gospels, both by Luke. The first in 11 to describe Pharisees and here. Yes it is translated “fool.” When we get into it we find 2 words - the last syllable, Phrōn, which means mind or thinking or reason, and the first syllable, a- , which means the opposite of. So the original readers would know it this way: “God said to him, you are out of your mind! You’re not thinking! You’re without common sense or reason! This very night your life “will be demanded of you.” Not just that you’re going to die. “Demanded.” “Required.” “Ask for back.” Something lent. A demand note, must be paid when asked for. Our life is not our own. The Giver of Life has lent us life, started us out in life, and will demand back our life when the time comes. The only One with endless tomorrows is God Himself AND those to whom He gives life.

God’s Word does not tell us that money is the root of all evil, only the love of money! Money itself is most useful. Those who have the gift of generosity also have the gift of saving. The issue is the motivation. To save for oneself only is wrong. To save so that you might be generous to others is right. So… do you have a savings plan? God’s Word also tells us that only “fools” spend everything that comes in.

The Bible tells us that there is a correct motivation for wealth - generosity! To be willing to share. In fact there is a promise that goes with it - that when you save and share with others generously, that you are literally laying up treasure for yourself!

We’ve seen before that it is foolish to work hard just to make my life easier. But nothing in that said it was foolish to work hard. The Bible is filled with proverbs that say how wise it is to work and how foolish it is to be lazy. The issue is the why behind the work. The motivation. Jesus says that if you really want to be blessed… if you really want to be happy, then work hard so that you may help the weak, who cannot work hard for themselves. You’ll find happiness in the giving. You’ll find that when you are generous with those who need help, then God is generous with you.

You cannot out-give God. This is a universal law of His creation, as absolute as gravity. God wants you to discover the truth of this so much that in Malachi, He challenges you to the tithe. He says, “Test Me.” Only here and only with this. I took God up on His offer. I began tithing. And He has always cared for our finances. It’s not always been easy. But He has always provided. As I stand before you today, I am not a wealthy man as man measures wealth. However, I am rich in family and friends. I also have no debts. And God continues to provide for all of my needs. You’d better believe I believe in this “measure I use” philosophy. Mary Kay and I don’t ever miss giving our tithe + plus!

Only a fool takes his own life for granted. We don’t like to think about it, but the truth is that not a single one of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. If I want to be wise, if I want to be rich toward God, then I will learn to make the most of every day. I will learn to look for and take advantage of opportunities. Each day when we awake, our first thought and prayer should be, “Thank you Lord for another day. Help me to make the most of it.”

So don’t blow the days you are given. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t say to Mary Kay, “Have I told you yet today that I love you? Well I do!” Why do I do that? I never know… This may be my last day to say it. My last chance. I want to make the most of every opportunity.