Recently, Lebron James became the first active NBA player whose net worth exceeds 1 billion dollars.
The feat speaks to James’ business acumen as well as his longevity as an NBA megastar.
James has also expressed an interest in owning an NBA team in the near future, which makes his billionaire status an essential piece of professional sports ownership.
While there is no sin in righteously attaining wealth or having a high net worth, in Matthew 6:26-33, Jesus reveals that the value of our lives is far greater than any monetary valuation:
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The value of Kingdom citizenship is incalculable.
Prayer: Lord, I repent for chasing things to make my net worth higher that are taking away from my Kingdom value. While attaining wealth is a blessing, let me not value my status based on my earthly wealth but on the eternal wealth I am building through my relationship with You.
Action: Input your assets and liabilities into a net worth calculator. Is your net worth high, low, or in between? Whatever the value, don’t make the mistake of measuring your relationship with God by your abundance (or lack) of earthly wealth.