This post was last updated on September 15, 2025

Day 239, Year 1

Woe to Those Who Are Comforted by Riches

“But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24 NKJV)

The word “consolation,” paraklesis in Greek, here also means “exhortation, encouragement, comfort, or solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment.” In other words, Jesus said that woe to those who find comfort or refreshment through wealth, richness, or material gains, because they are neither humble nor poor before God. In my understanding, woe to those who are content with only material comfort or encouragement. It is because they twist their hearts not to seek spiritual refreshment, but instead make material possessions the primary means of satisfying their hearts. Thus, it is difficult for them to accept Jesus. For many, material possessions can indeed bring them joy and comfort. The temptation for the rich is to rely on money rather than on Jesus. According to God’s design, only spiritual things can satisfy the human heart and spirit. But if people seek spiritual satisfaction in material possessions, their hearts will gradually die. Meanwhile, they will become numb or unresponsive toward spiritual or eternal things.

On the contrary, as we will discuss tomorrow, people can find joy in God’s presence even in material deprivation. Moreover, Jesus’ miracles also tell us that in the lack of materials, His presence can sometimes miraculously provide for our material needs, and even more than we expect. It is certainly a great blessing to turn to the Lord Jesus for comfort, help, encouragement, and refreshment, because seeking the spiritual blessings of the Lord sometimes leads to material abundance!

To reject the comforting effect of material richness on our hearts, we believers need to commit our hearts to the Lord. Meanwhile, we should make good use of the money in our hands and connect it with eternity, including donating it to people and things with eternal value and helping the poor. For the wealthy, giving is beneficial as it makes them less dependent on money and enables them to see a more impactful use of their money. As a Chinese proverb goes: Instead of icing on the cake, why not send charcoal in the snow? Those who have more than they need are able to meet the needs of others. When helping those in need, the wealthy believers will surely gain a deeper spiritual fulfillment. Furthermore, investing money in people and things of eternal value can allow us to focus on eternity, but not to be bound by ephemeral material gains and losses.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you think that material things can really bring comfort, help, and refreshment to people’s hearts? Why?

2) From now on, are you willing to link your material possessions with eternal value? Why?