Seven Things That Money Cannot Buy

Series: Why the Heavens may seem as Brass?

Story of Balaam:

(Num 22:5-7) He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

“Seven Things that Money cannot Buy”

Introduction: Barak, King of the Moabites, wanted to hire Balaam’s services to pray and put a curse upon the nation of Israel. He offered him “rewards of divination.”

How sad it was that the “economy” was the central decision maker of this past election. Money should never be the main factor in the decisions that we make. God cannot be bought. Neither should the vote of God’s people!

Let me list for you seven things that money cannot buy:

1. Intimacy with God.

When Balaam was asked to place a curse on the people of Israel, he entered into his prayer closet. Even before he started talking to God, God was talking to him! That is intimacy. Money cannot buy you intimacy with God. Sin will destroy your intimacy with God.

2. A Good Name.

Balaam had established a reputation for being a “Man of God.” Money cannot buy you a good name. Sin will destroy your good name.

3. Credibility.

Barak had said that whatever it was that Balaam had prayed for “happened.” That is, whatever Balaam said could be believed as credible. Sin will cause you to lose your credibility with others.

4. Power with God.

The power of the Christian is the intimacy that he has with God in his prayer life. Sin will rob you of God’s power.

5. The loyalty of your friends.

Who was Balaam’s best friend? I submit to you that it was his donkey. After the sin of greed had so gripped the heart of Balaam and he threatened to kill his donkey with a knife at the encounter with the angel, I sincerely doubt that the donkey ever talked to Balaam again!

6. A good night’s sleep.

The first time that Balaam was offered “money” from Barak’s servants, he said “no.” He slept “good” that night. The next day the servants came back and offered Balaam more money. He did not sleep well that night. He rose up early in the morning full of greed. I assure you that Balaam did not sleep well for the rest of his life. He had failed the Lord miserably!

7. A home in Heaven.

All that money can buy you in filthy rags. Later in life, Balaam would be listed as being killed with the enemy. In the Book of Jude, we are warned to flee from the greedy error of Balaam. Money cannot buy you a home in Heaven.

However!

There are seven things that the blood of Christ can buy you:

1. Intimacy with God.

(John 15:4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

2. A Good Name.

(Acts 11:26) And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

3. Credibility.

(James 5:12) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

4. Power with God.

(Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

5. The loyalty of your friends.

(Prov 18:24) A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

6. A good night’s sleep.

(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

7. A home in Heaven.

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.