Golden Fancies & Golden Dreams (2014)

Golden Fancies & Golden Dreams

I noticed this phrase “Golden Fancies” and “Golden Dreams” in the hymn "I love to tell the story" which we sang recently in our worship service. This phrase, as found in stencil two of the hymn, came to my mind again in the past week when I had the opportunity to view snippets of a Wedding video done for a rich Myanmar couple. One of the scene showed them walking towards a future franked by a large three storeys bungalow under the glow of golden sunlight. Well there is nothing wrong to hope and works towards a future that is better then the current state. 

The problem comes about when we are constantly chasing one golden fancies after another, completely absorb by it as if "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:15) and naturally in the process subordinating all others demands including spiritual priorities. We can understand why the world does this! In fact the Psalmist has a description for this type of person called "men of this world which hath their portion in this life" (Ps 17:14). The problem is that such a Golden Fancies or Golden Dreams will eventually end and can be cut short suddenly as in the account of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) and sometime it will literally crash and burn as we all witness recently. This is not the end though as all of us will be called to give an account as to why we didn't love and serve his or her Creator God of the Bible.

The Scriptures is replete with warning about the danger of wealth. It is not that there is intrinsic evil in money or wealth. It is because of our sinfulness that leads us to love money and to rely on it. This inordinate love and reliance on money is the problem. The Scriptures particularly has a stark warning here in Luke 12:16-21, which you are perhaps familiar with. Here the person concerned is call a Rich Man. Such a designation would resonates with most people in Singapore and not a few in our midst. 

This is not surprising as Singapore is ranked 8^th in the world in terms of wealth. So in the modern context, it could be any one of us here in FERC! Notice that his desire to increase his Barn space to hold the rich produce is perfectly legitimate and wise thing to do as a good steward, and this perhaps too describe most of us. The trouble with this certain Rich Man in the parable is that of his complete and only reliance, on the plenteous produce he has, his future is secured and he has not need of God! As he said “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Note that no particular name is attached to this Rich Man. In the Jewish context then, it would mean that he would probably pray at the Synagogue as a duty or custom but spiritual pursuit would not be a priority to him.

Jesus's indictment on this man is found in verse 20, Jesus called him a fool. He is a fool because all that he accumulated while in this life does not help him in any way, it is useless, when his life is ended suddenly. So how then can we not be a fool? This is an important question that each of us need to ponder about. Here in verse 21, Jesus is perhaps bidding us to consider if our name can be affixed here. The answer is clear, we will not be a fool if we instead are rich towards God while in this life. This brings us back to verse 15, namely,

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

We need to know two things, what is being rich towards (in) God and how can such richness be increased while in this life. For the first question, to be rich towards God surely does not refer to the idea that we can procure such richness through out merits or good works. As RC Lenski puts it “To be rich in God is to have the wealth that is found in God. This wealth consists of pardon, peace, and salvation in union with God, and "in God" signifies faith. That individual is rich in God who has the saving gifts which God gives him and holds them with gratitude by faith as his own.” The answer to the second question is a natural outcome for those who are rich towards God in that he would not lay treasure for himself while in this life but instead his or her life would consist in the seeking of God's Kingdom and his righteousness first and foremost and that all the necessities of this life would be given (Luke 12:31). It may be that God would provide great wealth for some of us as this wealth would not be an hindrance or a treasure to the person that leads to his downfall but would rather assist him or her in the extension of God's Kingdom on earth.

So do you still entertain any Golden Fancy or Golden Dream? Are you awaken to the reality that the chief end of man is to Glory God and to enjoy him forever. As John Piper puts it, “God is most Glorified, when we are most satisfied in him”. May God be pleased to awaken us and make us be true to what we sing;

“I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame and pow'r

And him my only portion make, My shield and Tower”

Amen.