WEALTH!

WARNING: The following story may be too graphic. It might cause emotional disturbances. Viewer and reader discretion is advised.

At least $1 million dollars worth of damages, possibly more. In one fell swoop. Sixty seconds. In one massive 14-car pile-up on a highway in Japan in Yamaguchi prefecture.

All, luxury-car enthusiasts, were driving to a super car gathering in nearby Hiroshima when it happened, destroying eight (yup, EIGHT!) Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and a few sundry Mercedes Benzes. The most expensive auto mishap ever, at least for 2011.

On second thought: I forgot about the Texan guy who drove his Bugatti Veyron (valued at over $1million) into a salt marsh near Galveston a couple of years ago. He told police that a low-flying pelican (yup, PELICAN!) had distracted him! Go figure! Police suspect insurance fraud. Wrecker driver Gilbert Harrison of MCH Truck and Auto, who had the joy of fishing out the million-dollar vehicle now thoroughly marinated in brine, told the Houston Chronicle that the driver had taken his rather expensive marshy detour in his stride. “He was calm,” Harrison told the Chronicle. “If it had been me, I'd have been cussing, but he was calm.” I agree; if that had happened to me (and if I weren’t a seminary prof), I’d have cussed too. It’s a good thing seminary profs don’t drive Ferraris. What would we do?

Anyhow … back to ye olde land of Nippon.

It all began when one Ferrari driver, in the process of changing lanes, hit the median. This guy spun across the freeway and everyone behind collided with everyone else while attempting avoid the first wreck.

So there it was, a cluster of bright red Ferraris with their “Prancing Horse” medallions, cluttering the freeway in bits and pieces.

Thankfully, no one was injured in the mayhem on the Japanese highway. Serious dents in some wallets did occur, no doubt. Though the owners of these vehicles probably had enough wealth in the first place that those were only minor dents. Scratches. What’s a million dollars? Easy come, easy go.

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,

Cease from your consideration of it.

When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.

For wealth certainly makes itself wings

Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

Proverbs 23:4–5

Here one instant. Gone the next.

Instead the Bible gives us some better ideas regarding wealth.

… the imperishable quality

of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is precious in the sight of God.

1 Peter 3:4

… rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom

which He promised

to those who love Him.

James 2:5

… be rich in good works,

to be generous and ready to share.

1 Timothy 6:18

Take my instruction and not silver,

And knowledge rather than choicest gold.

For wisdom is better than jewels;

And all desirable things

cannot compare with her.

Proverbs 8:10–11

… the unfathomable riches of Christ.

Ephesians 3:8

… God … has blessed us

with every spiritual blessing … in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Not to mention the wealth of the rewards in the afterlife.

Do not store up for yourselves

treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy,

and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves

treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust destroys,

and where thieves do not break in or steal.

Matthew 6:19–20

Yup, there’s more to wealth than is visible here in dollars and cents, wallets and purses, stocks and IRAs. Much more.

Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and the rest. All will disappear. Only “wealth” reckoned by God will last. For ever!