Psalm 62:10 says; “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Of course we all say we won’t. We want riches to increase in our life and we feel sure that, though others may not be able to handle it, we will.

I would imagine that setting your heart on riches is a very subtle sort of thing. Kind of like the frog in the water where the temperature increases so gradually the little hopper doesn’t know he’s being boiled to death. First, if money comes you pay off all debts and maybe splurge on some special toys you’ve always wanted. As time goes along you get used to always having ready cash. Discipline in spending is no longer an issue so why not just buy freely?

Then do you slowly lose sensitivity to others who are without your means? Eventually generosity is replaced by a sense of entitlement and maybe even a disdain for those poor souls who probably brought it all on themselves anyhow. Finally you are protected, insulated and ultimately trusting in riches alone. But in the end you play the fool because it is a false god which will not protect you into eternity.

Here’s a good prayer we all should pray so our hearts won’t get hooked. Lord, “Give me neither poverty nor riches – feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).