“One man pretends to be rich, yet
has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” (Prov 13:7 NIV)
The oil boom in Oil Creek was feverish. Men went out
to make a fortune, and nothing would stop them from becoming rich! And they
never gave a second thought to the environment. After all, did it really matter
that gushing wells covered the ground with a black mire of oil and mud? Was it
worth worrying that there weren’t enough empty wooden barrels to catch the oil,
so it leaked freely into ponds? Who cared anyway about the smoke from the
burning gas that clung to the little mining towns, or the oil spills that at
times even burned up the creek! They would be rich!
When, after just fifteen years, the oil ran out, these
same people left the dilapidated mining towns and the ruined environment behind.
They had taken all of the valley’s vast natural resources, leaving nothing but
emptiness, pollution, and desolation behind.
Where those who pretended to be rich satisfied after
their endeavours? Most of them spent their hard-earned, polluted stash within a
year, and many left the region penniless.
Riches don’t last! Just ask most lottery winners!
That devastated land healed itself over time. Little
by little, plants began to grow again, and pollution-tolerant weeds took hold in
bare fields. Naturally, they all died in the fall of each year, and in their
decay, they enriched the soil, readying it for other less-hardy plants, and
later, even trees. As soon as the plants were once again thriving, the wildlife
returned, and the present-day valley is not only beautiful and fertile, but once
again rich with wildlife.
There are still remnants from the greedy prospectors,
however. Upstream at Boughton, Pennsylvania, sulfuric acid became leached into
the ground, making it impossible, even now, for plants to develop.
This reminds me of the story of the rich young ruler
(See Matt 19:16-26). When
he left Jesus, he had
a mile-long face.
We also
know that riches will never procure us happiness. Possessions are fleeting, and
for those who hold on to their monetary kingdoms, their worries vastly surpass
their earthly goods!
Truly we are the ones who are rich, as we will inherit
a place in paradise, where we will enjoy the full extent of the presence of the
One who makes us abundantly rich! And there aren’t even any harmful effects on
the environment!
“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those
who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the
kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5 NIV) Being truly rich is
relative to your point of view. There is earthly richness, which flees like
shadows, and there is divine richness, which fills our hearts.
Where’s my money? Where is it? Tell me?
It’s stored up in heaven, where my true Love resides.
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.