The book “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason has been a popular self-help book for many people. I have read it many times myself. It teaches how to acquire wealth and manage it. But, as Christians, should we strive to be the richest man in Babylon? The answer is no. The Bible in Revelations 18-19 teaches us that Babylon, the symbol of materialism and excess, will fall and those who put their trust in it will be doomed.
Revelations 18:2-3 says “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.”
This passage paints a picture of Babylon as a place of corruption and sin, where people are consumed by their desire for wealth and pleasure. The merchants of the earth are said to have grown rich from the abundance of Babylon’s luxuries, but it is clear that this wealth is not a source of true happiness or fulfillment. Instead, it is a source of wrath and fornication.
Revelations 18:17-19 says “For in one hour so great riches comes to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.”
This passage emphasizes the fleeting nature of wealth and the futility of putting our trust in it. Despite the riches that people have gained from Babylon, the city is destroyed in one hour, and all of the merchants and sailors who have grown rich from its luxuries stand afar off, weeping and wailing.
In conclusion, the book “The Richest Man in Babylon” may give you some tips on how to acquire wealth, but as Christians, our ultimate goal should not be to be the richest man in Babylon. Instead, we should put our trust in God and His promises, knowing that true fulfillment and happiness can only be found in Him. Babylon is a symbol of materialism and excess, and the Bible teaches us that it will fall and that those who put their trust in it will be doomed.
Blogging Through The Bible 