I have very fond memories of my "Marraine" (grandmother). One thing that
especially sticks out in my mind is that each year, for New Year, she would give
each of her grandkids 500 Belgium Francs (around 16 US dollars).
It wasn't the amount that makes this specific memory special, for even though
500 Francs went farther in those days than it does today, it still wasn't a very
big gift. It was the fact that my Marraine didn't have ANY extra money; yet
despite this, she still put aside a few Francs every month to be able to give
this New Year's gift to her grandchildren.
One year, when I was around ten years old (one year more or one year less is not
much for someone who seems to have lived for centuries!), I lost my 500 Francs.
I was frantic. I knew what a disappointment it would be for Marraine when she
found out that I had lost the "treasure" she had confidently put into my hands,
and I ripped the apartment apart looking for it. But it was to no avail.
I shouldn't have worried. Instead of being disappointed, Marraine took me in her
arms and comforted me. She then proceeded to give me another 500 Francs, at the
rate of 100 Francs a month for the next five months. I felt like the richest man
of the world! Not because of the money, but because of the fact that my Marraine
loved me dearly.
So often I hear Christians say, "How I wish I were rich!" Yet in reality, they
are the wealthiest people in the world!
"What do you mean, Rob? I don't have any investments, my bank account is always
in the red, and I can barely pay my monthly debts! Do you call this 'being
rich'?"
Let's go to the Bible for the answer: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you
through his poverty might become rich." (2 Cor 8:9 NIV)
Imagine This. You are the Creator of the Universe. You are all powerful.
Everything in the Universe belongs to you and you are worshipped by billions
because of who you are. Would you want to give that up for even one day?
Jesus did. He became man, leaving everything He owned behind: "The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us." (John 1:14 NIV).
While on earth Jesus was far from wealthy. He wasn't born in a palace, but in a
stable. He had to run for his life while he was still an enfant. He had no
belongings, no stock options, no investments, not even a house or a place to
sleep. He was eventually arrested and cruelly crucified, though he had done
nothing wrong.
Why would He do such a thing?
Because He loves you and wants you to "become rich"!
There are 3 things in life that people would give anything they have for:
Finding the "fountain of youth" so that they can extend their life, having true
friends, and receiving guidance so that they will always make the best
decisions. Let's take a look at each of these from a Christian perspective:
1. Fountain of Youth
A Christian's life is already extended for eternity. We do not worry about our
Earthly lives, because we know where we are heading and to whom we really
belong. We are Christ's, and nothing in this world can ever separate us from the
One who really loves us: "I give them eternal life, and they will never
perish-ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:28); "Who can
separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:35); and "For to me, to live is
Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean
fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between
the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it
is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Phil 1:21-25 NIV)
2. True Friends
A Christian has the truest of friends: Jesus Christ! And the best part of this
special friendship is that we carry the presence of Jesus with us wherever we
go. Unlike our human friends, Jesus will never abandon us. He will always love
us, no matter who we are or what we do: "Now that we have actually received this
amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in
plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the
Messiah!" (Rom 5:11 The Message); "I'll be with you as you do this, day after
day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matt 28:20 The Message)
3. Guidance
Human guidance, when it can be had, cannot be trusted to never lead us astray.
Not so with God's guidance! He is all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful. He
has given us His Holy Spirit who will never lead us astray: "But when he, the
Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13 NIV) And
the best part is: His Spirit is ALWAYS with us! "Don't you know that you
yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Cor 3:16
NIV)
As Christians, we are blessed indeed. In fact, we are the wealthiest people in
the world! And even better, we don't have to worry about paying taxes on this
wealth!
Are you wealthy? It all depends upon whom you are friends with.
Rob Chaffart
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