"Keeping It Real" - Too

 "A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease." (Ecclesiastes 6:2 KJV)

  ""Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."" (Matthew 6:1-4 NLT)

 I know it might not seem to fit, but it is all about the heart, knowing that your Heavenly Father is always looking and taking note of our actions, whether we are looking for the honor of others, or for Him to be pleased with the good we might do. If we make it about showing off, then that is the reward we get, and it will fade away, just as quick as it was demonstrated to others. 

 Having wealth is not something that is bad, unless your wealth becomes what make you feel wealthy! We are wealthy because God has entrusted us with what He has given us; we are responsible for sharing it, as God guides and provides, knowing that it is not about us and the honor we might receive, but about God's glory and the rewards we will receive in heaven. 

 It might not be easy to do, because we have passions and a desire for being known for the good things we might do; but the less you make known what you do, the more you get to keep what you do it with. That is God's economy of works and sharing; if you claim it as yours, then it loses your grip, and you find it either taken away or becoming useless. 

 There is another aspect to this which involves living under the sun: everything under the sun will pass away; only what is done for Christ will last...

"Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!" "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who get everything you worked for?' "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."" (Luke 12:16-21 NLT)