2S8-6: You Don’t Have To Chase Wealth—God Hands It Out

“David took the gold shields which Hadad‘ezer’s servants were wearing and brought them to Yerushalayim.  From Betach and Berotai, cities of Hadad‘ezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.”-2 8:7-8

Something amazing happened to me recently.

Although I primarily work as a recruiter and direct response copywriter, I occasionally teach English to certain high-end clients.

My rate is about $150 an hour.

Well, I recently took on such a client.

I can’t disclose her name for privacy reasons.

However, she is the wife of one of Japan’s most influential actors and filmmakers.

This couple is undisputed royalty in the entertainment world…

And not just in Japan, but globally.

A quick search on YouTube will bring up videos of them walking the red carpet at major international film festivals.

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever have the chance to meet my student’s husband, again one of the world’s greatest movie directors (I’m not joking when I say that. Quentin Tarantino raves about him all the time!).

Well, all of that changed last night when I was invited to their home for a private dinner last Saturday night.

And when I say “private,” I’m not joking.

It was just me, the wife (my English student), her husband, and my entertainment lawyer friend.

Their private butler served us an incredible gourmet steak dinner with an array of amazing side dishes…

And I think I had seven glasses of Dom Pérignon champagne (the normal price is about $300 per bottle).

We just had a normal conversation, and I was even able to share my faith.

Again, it was like four good friends just chilling together.

This wasn’t a formal event or anything.

All in all, it was an evening I’ll never forget.

So at this point, you might be thinking, what in the heck does this have to do with today’s Scripture lesson?

Well, hold your horses, homie.

I’m getting there.

In 2nd Samuel, Chapter 8, verses 7 to 12 tell us that David took gold and bronze from the people he defeated and brought it back to Yerushalayim.

These valuable materials would later be used to build the Temple and everything inside it.

Afterward, we’re told that David went after another army, wiped out 18,000 soldiers, and became even more famous than he already was!

This connects back to Israel’s Exodus from Egypt centuries earlier, when the Israelites took gold, silver, and valuable items from the Egyptians before leaving.

Here’s the Scripture reference:

“Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.”-Exodus 12:35-36

Later, all of this treasure would be used in building the Tabernacle and all of the items associated with it, just as the gold and bronze David took would go towards the construction of the Temple.

So, here’s what I’m trying to get at.

Look at this verse from the book of Haggai.

“The silver is Mine,
and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of hosts.”
-Haggai 2:8

In this passage, God reminds the people that all wealth belongs to Him.

These words were spoken during the rebuilding of the Second Temple.

Again, the point is that God provides what is needed for His purposes.

We don’t have to work for it.

Or go through blood, sweat, and tears to get it.

And here’s the other thing…

Not only does all the silver and gold on the planet belong to the Lord…

But He also possesses access to all of the most famous and powerful people in the world…

Whether they be presidents, politicians…

Or world-famous movie directors like the one I dined with the other night…

If you doubt this truth, recall how the Lord elevated Joseph from prison to Pharaoh’s palace overnight.

It is the Lord who decides who will rise to earthly power…

Who will become rich and famous…

And who will have access to such movers and shakers…

Despite the ridiculous assertions of new agers who say you can manifest your way to riches and power by controlling your thoughts.

I couldn’t help thinking this when I realized there are fans, and even significant figures in the entertainment industry, who would’ve killed to have a private audience with this film legend, let alone being invited to his private home for dinner.

Yet me, a sinful nobody who has never accomplished anything deserving of worldly recognition, through a series of crazy events, got to have dinner with this amazing man who will go down in history as one of the most influential movie directors of all time.

So that’s your takeaway for today.

Instead of stressing yourself out trying to get fame and fortune (which is what the entire world lusts after)…

Or access to people of great influence.

Just surrender to the Lord’s Will for your life and let Him open doors for you…

The Torah says…

“And you shall remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,
that He may establish His covenant
which He swore to your fathers,
as it is this day.”
-Deuteronomy 8:18

But keep in mind, it may not be God’s Will for you to become rich and famous.

I’d say the vast majority of people on the planet can’t handle big money without letting it corrupt their souls.

Take a close look at that verse above.

Notice it says God gives you the power to get wealth (and He owns ALL the wealth) so that He may establish His covenant, which He swore to your fathers.

Or another way to say that is…

If God gives you wealth, it is for the Kingdom…

And to help bring about His Will for your life.

For that purpose, we are promised that ALL our needs will be supplied.

Ya feel me?

See ya all next time.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“So do not worry, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’
or ‘What shall we drink?’
or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the gentiles run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness,
and all these things will
be given to you as well.”
-Matthew 6:31-33