God Don't Like Rich People

I will never forget the day that my daughter's sixththe other way around, as if God don't like poor
grade friend told me that. We had been discussingpeople. They act like they're closer to God because
someone who had recently lost a fortune and hadthey have money. Funny thing money, it can buy a
become very bitter as a result. She suddenly pipedlot of things, but I was under the impression that
up with that all knowing scowl that only a twelveGod wasn't for sale. Rumor has it that some
year old girl can truly master while proclaiming, "Godchurches and individual clergy can be bought, but not
don't like rich people!" She said it as if it was a mortalGod Himself. Nowhere in the bible did I ever read
sin worthy of an eternity in hell. She immediatelythat you could bypass the rules and just pay an
made a snap decision from that point forward toentrance fee to get into heaven's gates.
dislike the person we'd been talking about. I've metI thought that money was a tool sometimes used
her dad. He's a nice enough guy and from what I canfor testing us. Do we remain spiritual while humbled
tell, he agrees with his daughter. They are veryand poor or do we become bitter and turn our back
regular attendees at their church. I don't know whaton God? Do we remain spiritual while spoiled and rich
church they go to, but all I could think to myself ator do we become self righteous and turn our back
the time was, "Who in the world is teaching heron God? And what about the way we treat each
that!?"other? Does the amount of money we have dictate
For my daughter's sake, I bit my tongue. I wantedhow much love we are to receive from each other?
so badly to quiz her friend and find out the roots of"Congratulations on that job promotion you worked
that belief system. How does one logically come toso hard for, buddy! But hey, you're too rich now, so
that conclusion? I was under the impression that Godme and God aren't going to hang out with you
was known to shower you with riches if he liked you.anymore."
Solomon was extremely rich and God liked him. IWhat a silly concept that money would have
thought that God's opinion of us had more to do withanything to do with one's spiritual self-worth. I'm
our character, not our bank account. I could evensorry for those children who have been raised to
see that how you amassed your fortune could bebelieve that the amount of money they do or do not
important in God's viewpoint. I think about Job andhave dictates whether or not God will like them.
how he was tested to see if money was the reasonPersonally, I've raised my kids on the idea that you
for his devotion to God. Upon passing the test, didn'tbehave yourself as best you can, and I do mean
God dump piles of money back into his lap again?'best.' Heed your spiritual calling. Love one another.
And what about the father in the prodigal son story?Everything else will fall into place as it's meant to be.
He had money and God liked him.Oh, and be thankful for what you have. God don't
Just as ridiculous to me are the people who spin itlike people with bad manners.