CDPunt(igam) Writes

Angela woke up every morning and did exactly what she wanted to do. And she liked it because it brought her much wealth. She had the finest clothes, jewelry, and homes. She had all she could imagine for herself. Eventually, she found that no matter how much she had, she always needed more. Soon, she forgot all about her own desires and just chased after more and more wealth. The hunt wore her to the bone. At the end of her days, she discovered that she never really got to enjoy all the things she thought she would. Surrounded by all that she’d gathered together in life, she discovered she wanted nothing more than the soft companionship of a friend. Her own desires had betrayed her.

This story is based on James 4: 13-5:6

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

NIV: New International Version