How Terrible It Will Be For Those Who Rest In Luxury

Listen to these words from God in the Book of Joel:

"How terrible it will be for you who lounge in luxury and think you are secure."

"You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer."

I hate all your show and pretense--the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise in my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry.

This is what the Lord says: The people have sinned again and again., and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They have rejected the laws of the Lord, refusing to obey Him. They have been lead astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors.

God is not saying that, because some people are rich they face judgment. He is saying that people are taking comfort in their riches instead of living a righteous life in obedience to God. Wealth does not keep someone out of heaven. It is sin and sin alone that sends people to hell. But if you are trusting in yourself in any way... trusting in your wealth to save you... then you are headed for the destruction of hell. If a nation is trusting in itself... trusting in it's strength and wealth, instead of living in obedience to God, then that nation is headed for destruction.

Which way is America heading?