I always thought this post went without saying. If you are made new in Christ, you are a new creation, and you have a home in Heaven and the opportunity to amass treasure in Heaven. Why then envy those who in all likelihood won't even go to Heaven?!? Seriously. They are not to be envied. Compare and contrast these two songs:
What it comes down to, is what do you want? Do you want God and to live forever in Heaven? Do you want to be rich in Heaven? Or do you want to be rich here and not even go to Heaven?
For those who point out that Christians can be wealthy here on earth, OK, but that should never have been our focus. We should not focus on amassing wealth in this life. That is not why we are here. We are here to bring glory to our maker and amass treasure in Heaven. If you look at the rich, powerful, and famous with envy, you are playing with fire. I tell you the truth- many times I've hated my life for as hard as it has been. In the midst of how hard it has been and all the trials I've been through, I've never told myself "Wouldn't it be nice to be one of the rich and famous who have no treasure in Heaven and are, in all likelihood, not even going to Heaven?" NO! Seriously. I've paid too steep a price for the relationship I have with God to envy people with money. I tell you the truth, it's DANGEROUS to envy the rich and famous. You are playing with fire. God will not take such a violation of the 10th commandment lightly. Remember- blood was spilled so you could go to Heaven and live eternally with God. Why would you want to screw around with the thought of having what the rich and famous have on earth, knowing they generally have nothing in Heaven? Remember, it is hard for someone who is rich and famous on earth to go to Heaven. Few will make it, and the few that do may have very little treasure. Remember that when Jesus was talking about giving, he pointed out a poor widow who gave next to nothing gave more than the rich did, because she gave all she had to live on, whereas the rich gave out of the extra money they would not miss. Do not think that Bill Gates or Warren Buffett are giving more than you because they are giving more money- Jesus plainly taught that the one who gave the most is the one where the gift actually cost them personally. Seriously. Do not envy the wealthy or the famous. They will be exposed as having little to nothing when they get to Heaven. Set your sights on Heavenly treasure, and do not let up until you reach Heaven.
