wealth has wings

Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be discerning enough to desist.

When your eyes light on it, it is gone,

for suddenly it sprouts wings,

flying like an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:4-5

The acquisition of wealth alone is a poor life's goal. One can never have enough and money has a way of being spent as fast as it is earned. Material goods require maintenance. The more one has the more one must spend. Wealth flies away. The picture here of it sprouting wings would make a humorous comic strip. But it is sadly too real. Mammon is a cruel, fickle, elusive master.

The picture of this proverb is of someone hunting wealth with high purpose. They toil at it. The can see their quarry always just ahead in the bushes. It is so very, very close. And just as they can take their best shot at it, wings sprout out and away it flies never to be seen within range again. And if someone spends their lifetime in that pursuit, the cost and frustration can be catastrophic.

How much better it is to wisely place our energy into the pursuit of God and His provision and wisdom. Then, whatever resources we have become blessings with which to worship Him, not flying idols that flee from our worship. The issue at stake is our heart. The heart that constantly fixates on wealth will find satisfaction out of reach. The heart that holds every blessing in life as a gift of God to share with others for God's glory will be blessed. God satisfies our longings. Wealth can only elusively fly just out of reach.