Money buys everything, you name it and all it takes to have it is money right? It can seem this way sometimes in our world. But the presumption is incorrect. There are indeed some things that money can never buy. Maybe we should be concentrating more on those things. I’m noticing how, for example, money is no good for purchasing things that last forever, and do not decay. I can honestly say there are not many things one can acquire using money that possess these everlasting qualities. When we buy a house it begins the process of decaying the day we close on the contract and move in. Oh it will look mighty good for a long time as I know we plan to fix it up and make it look great. But is it everlasting? No, it’s not. How about happiness, can having a deep pocket full of change make you happy? In my opinion the answer is “No*”, but notice the asterisk around my answer? I would say that having money makes one feel like they should be happy in the midst of it all. That’s what having money does really well – it can make one feel that in the midst of storms of every kind coming in every direction that yes indeed they [should] be happy. After all, they have every reason to at least [feel] happy. But is this the true definition of happiness? I’m asking.

How about peace, or inner peace, can money buy that? Is there an exchange somewhere that we can purchase [amounts of] peace like a financial instrument? Money can never buy peace; but again, having money can make one feel like they should have peace. Funny how life works that way. Some of our realities are no doubt smoke and mirror illusions; and we can get caught up only in things we can see and touch. If we can’t touch it or store it somewhere that might lead us to believe that it’s not attainable when the opposite is true. Did you [as a kid] ever remove your hands from the handlebars, and trusted your peddling legs to keep you heading toward the right direction? I used to even go around corners on a bike without steering, something I would never think of doing today. But I trusted my legs to shift my weight just enough to make the right things happen, and they did and it did. How about driving a car, have you ever taken your hands off the steering wheel? I have many times, but honestly, it’s been awhile. Those are examples of having faith, almost a blind faith in yourself.

I found two passages [from the Tony Evans Bible Commentary] that are useful in relating this subject matter:
Luke 12:20-21
“You fool! Why was he a fool? After all, he had invested well; his retirement was secure. The problem was that his life was about to be demanded of him. And the things he’d prepared would go to someone else. The man saw gain; God saw loss. The man saw life; God saw death. According to Jesus, this man is what a person is like who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God… though he was physically rich, he was spiritually poor. He had everything except God – which means he had nothing.” [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

Here’s my take on the above subject, God is not against those that become wealthy, as long as that doesn’t absorb the individual who begins to believe that is all they need; essentially coveting their wealth. Money is not all someone needs in this life, they still need God. Even if our wealth outlives us there is certainty in the fact that we will one day be separated from it. However, under the new covenant Jesus offers his followers life everlasting.

John 14:27
“Jesus promised, Peace I leave you. My peace I give to you. Please understand what Jesus is and is not promising here. He is not promising the absence of a storm. Anyone can be at peace when nothing is wrong. Rather, he promises peace in the midst of a storm. He’s talking about peace in the midst of tribulation – at a time when you shouldn’t have any peace. This, of course, doesn’t come from this world. It’s the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, and guards your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Once again my take on the subject; this is a very difficult concept for each of us to grasp. When you really try to wrap your arms around this passage [knowing what Jesus and his disciples were put through] it is difficult to imagine how, as humans, we can possibly find peace in the midst of some of the things one endures in this life. I try not to dwell on the hows and whys; again, it is not of this world [defies our understanding] so best to accept in faith, and as written.

Bottomline: Everyone needs God; those things that money can never buy come from God alone.