How ephraim boasts, I am rich. I have become wealthy with all my wealth. They will not find in me any iniquity or sin. Hosea twelve eight one of the most deceptive and destructive temptations confronting mankind is the illusion of wealth. The belief that money has power will solve all of our problems and will put us above the law, beyond scrutiny, and even in a place where we are immune from sin and punishment. If I am rich enough, the reasoning goes, then I can buy whatever I want, do whatever I want, be respected by everyone, and even buy a get out of jail free card because money talks. This is the cruelest deception. It is true that wealth can do a lot. It can buy the finest healthcare and goods. It can hire the best lawyers to help expand our holdings and protect us from prosecution if we're ever accused of criminal activity. Money can open doors that those having less can never open. It can buy a measure of happiness and security. And to a degree, money can even buy friends, although we can never really know if those friends care about us because they are genuine or simply care because of what they themselves might gain from our wealth. Paul said that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil and that some who are eager for money have even wandered away from the faith. Jesus said that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven because a wealthy person thinks his wealth will impress God and grant him privileges, including a free pass on sin that others do not have. This was one of Israel's great sins. Israel believed he was so rich that he could buy his way out of any trouble or problem that came his way, whether physical or spiritual. He even believed that he was rich enough that he didn't need God and certainly didn't need God to take care of him because he could manage quite nicely on his own. He thought he could do anything he wanted with no judgment because his wealth covered a multitude of sins. But Israel was wrong. God is not impressed by wealth. He seeks a pure heart, not a fat wallet. Jesus told the man who was leaning on his wealth to give it all away and be focused fully on him and his will. Maybe we would like a little more than we have, and maybe a little more would help ease some of the burdens and fears we have in life, that all the money in the world won't solve all of our problems or impress the Lord. And in many ways, we are better off being poor but holy instead of rich, proud and out of God's favor for a lack of faith.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com. Have a great day and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.