The Delusions of Luxury

Just as overeating can make a person sick and too much insulation in a home can trap toxic air inside, too much wealth can be dangerous to the moral and spiritual health of an individual.  In Matthew 13:22 Jesus warns about the "deceitfulness of riches, which can result in greed and eventually destruction. 

This is seen about Babylon in Revelation 18: 2-3; 7-8.  Babylon was known for its wealth, power, oppression, deception, and warfare.  It raped the people to make itself rich.  Babylon is a symbol of an evil world system.

However, there's always a costly price to pay for self-indulgence and for injustice!  (1)  The city became a habitate for demons.  (2)  Luxury became addictive to the people.  (3)  The city lived in denial of her true condition. (4)  The economic and trading systems collapsed.  (5)  All the possessions disappeared and the city was left desolate.

Are any of these things taking place in America today?  I'll let you answer that question!  How can we avoid an economic collapse?  God's answer can be found in II Chronicles 7:14--

If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.