Where Is Your Wealth? – Robert Schaetzle

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 ESV

Many years past, attending another church where I used to live, the pastor was sharing a story about how a friend of his was feeling good in obeying all God’s laws. At the end of the story, our pastor’s friend presented his desire and goal to purchase a classic 1957 T-Bird he had a passion for. “Hmmm…” said our pastor, recognizing his opportunity. He then asked his friend about the 10th Commandment, “Thou shall not covet…” Likewise, our Lord admonishes us “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34) Think how that in the United States, we live in such a wealthy culture we’ve built an entire marketing industry around the human desire for things. Even our worst pockets of poverty are far richer than many parts of our world.

When my wife and I decided on marriage, we talked much about her need to be at home. You see, she married into a ready-made family. I was a single dad raising three children. She gave up her teaching career to remain at home, depending solely upon God’s promises and His sufficiency. In our marriage we began tithing. God must come first! On one income… we stepped out through faith on God’s promises. [cf. Philippians 4:19.]

My Civil Service salary did not meet the high standard of living in ‘Silicon Valley’, California. But seeking to put Christ first, our Lord blessed us with two more children— and paid for the cost of adding onto our home for more living space, becoming a family of seven. God taught us ‘material stuff,’ does not equal God’s power and wealth!

Robert Lives in Sunnyvale, CA serving in a Sharing and Caring Ministry. Contact