If someone asked you to sell all your
possessions, give it to the poor, and follow them, could you do it?
If it meant a better life I would like
to say yes. I think I could. I know that with the knowledge I have
about living frugally I could do it. But, upon further inspection, I
found a lingering doubt begin to form in the back of my mind. What
kind of luxuries would I be asked to give up?
I remember watching a show called
“Secret Millionaire”. It was about a person of great wealth that
decided to give up their live style for a week to see how the lower
income people lived. They were given a strict budget to buy
everything they needed to survive for the week. Often it was no more
than $30.00-$100.00 depending on the amount of people doing the
challenge. The millionaire would then volunteer their services to
three shelters, or private people, that helped others less fortunate
than themselves, without greed or personal gain. Many times this
secret millionaire would be amazed at the generosity of the person,
or shelter, they were helping. Most of the people helping others in
their community were so poor themselves that they could barely manage
their own households financially, but always found a way to give more
to ease the suffering of others. At the end of the show, the secret
millionaire pulled out his/her wallet and gave three generous
donations to those people, or shelters, they had helped that week.
Being so moved and impressed by this show I wanted to be a
millionaire. I would love to have the ability to change someone's
life like this.
Matthew 19: 16-26 tells a different
story. It is a story about a wealthy man asking Jesus what he needed
to do to have eternal life. Jesus' first response was to follow the
ten commandments. The wealthy man thought he had it made. He had kept
the laws but knew he was still lacking. So he asked what else he
needed to do. Jesus said, “If though wilt be perfect, go and sell
that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come and follow me.” The wealthy man walked away in
sorrow. He didn't think he could live without his worldly treasures.
After reading this story in Matthew and
watching the “Secret Millionaire”, I had to ask myself, which one
am I?
Would I rather have riches here or
treasures in Heaven?
For now, I will reserve my answers to
these questions. Instead will ask my readers to answer these
questions for themselves.
I also realized, as I write this...I
don't have to be a millionaire to help someone. I have, and can, help
others less fortunate than myself simply by doing what I have done.
The only difference would be to ask myself...what more could I do?
Each day I face a struggle of some kind
as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, or friend. Yes,
even as a writer because of the pressures of writing politically
correct. I find it difficult to be a Godly woman in an ungodly time.
Many times I want to weep myself because of the stress of daily life.
It is in those moments...those
struggles...that I look to my faith. I am a sinner. I will always sin
no matter how hard I try not to. I may be a stumbling block for
someone and not realize it. (I am sorry if this has happened.) Many
will question my faith, be angry with me and call me names, but I
know the truth in my heart. I have been given the freedom to choose.
I have seen miracles and experienced miracles in a way that is
impossible to explain. God is the creator of my world but it is
through Jesus that I have been given the free gift of salvation. For
it is only through him that we are saved and given eternal life.
Could you give up everything for Jesus?
Could you give up worldly greatness in
exchange for heavenly treasure?
It is a spiritually dangerous territory
to give up selfish impulse in exchange for eternal life. It requires
a daily battle, spiritual armor, trust, prayer, and repenting of
sins. It is a difficult road. But, in the end, heavenly treasure will
outweigh the earthly reward.
I write for the love of writing. I help
others because I enjoy the priceless look of surprise on their faces.
I don't care about fortunes or fame.
My house isn't much but feels like a
palace. My car is nothing to look at but gets me from point A to
point B. I don't have the fancy cloths or flashy jewels. Most of the
time no one recognizes my name.
Money can't buy the love and happiness
I have with my family. Greed and power can't buy compassion and the
gift of a smile. Fortune and fame can't replace the love and
salvation Jesus offers me.
I will gladly give up worldly greatness
in exchange for heavenly treasure.
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