Despite generously giving away a large portion of his fortune Gates continues to feature as one of the most powerful people on earth.
By comparison my own wealth and power are very insignificant. And yet the goals of financial success and worldwide recognition still sit there, glistening and unattainable. I am constantly driven by a desire for success and so often seek to find my worth in material things.
Too often my value lies in the things I do, the money I am able to earn or in the stuff I own.
Yet the Christian faith calls us to find our true selves in something which cannot be measured or weighed. Our worth, identity and value is not to be found in the 'stuff' we own but in the one who created us. Jesus' teaching on where our worth should lie was as counter cultural back then as it is today.
He says: 'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'
Where is my treasure? Am I storing up treasure in the things of this world? By the world's standards I am no Bill Gates, but I still find myself holding too tightly to things which will ultimately be gone one day. I still find my love of 'stuff' keeps my mind on earth and not in heaven.
Jesus says that what the world has to offer will ultimately be meaningless: 'What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?' When Jesus returns as he promised each of us will stand bare, our souls exposed for what they truly are. No amount of riches or wealth will be worth anything.
Like the Old Testament Psalm Writer Asaph I sometimes envy those who seem to succeed despite their refusal to acknowledge God or follow his ways. He laments: 'They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.' I know what it is to long for the freedom to embrace corruption when it suits me, or to focus on myself instead of serving others.
Just like Asaph, sometimes the burden of being 'good' for God feels too heavy: 'Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.'
In my bitterness and sorrow I am reminded of the truth. This life is just a shadow of the next, my hope does not lie here on earth – like Jesus says – I need to remember to store treasures in heaven, not on earth.
Just like poor old Asaph who eventually realises his true identity lies not on this earth – but in things unseen and unmeasured: 'Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.'
As a Christian this earthly life is not the endgame. It's not the final curtain. The real thing is yet to come. And with this realisation comes the freedom to be generous, the freedom to deny myself and follow Christ.
If I do not need to be concerned with building my own wealth and satisfying my own comfort then I am free to serve others, to pour out my life liberally.
Sophia Sinclair is a writer living in Christchurch, New Zealand. After studying, working and training in Theatre, English Literature and Journalism, she joined the non-profit sector to work for the Anglican mission organisation NZCMS where she promotes mission around New Zealand. For more information on NZCMS: www.nzcms.org.nz
Sophia Sinclair's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/sophia-sinclair.html