What an awesome perspective. I find myself thinking about money quite a bit these days…not because I desire to be rich, but because I desire to be out of the debt I incurred after two brushes with death in the OR, a subsequent job loss, and then my partner of 8 years splitting from me. I had to start over. And it took all of my retirement savings to survive. Now I work for a great Christian nonprofit…and I love it. But the cost of just staying alive is soul-crushing some days…and I have it much better than hundreds of people around me. Reframing my thoughts about money proves tough some days. Especially when I dwell on the fact that I pay more in taxes than Ford Motor Company.
But thank you for these words that I will no doubt come back to again.
Riches make it more difficult to enter the Kingdom of God, although if you rely on God then it is still possible.
After Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler he said:
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark10:25-27)
The people of Jesus day thought being rich was a sign of righteousness, and therefore they of all people should get into the kingdom of God. Yet Jesus said exactly the opposite- that riches were a trial on the character of the individual, who would often fail as riches very often turns you away from God.
No doubt God blessed Abraham, Job, David etc. with riches- but it was still a trial for them, to see if they would rely on God, or on their riches.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
(Prov 18:10-12)
Prov 28:6 Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Prov 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searches him out.
The world is full of rich people living near poor people.
Often the rich care about the poor, often they don't.
Often the poor cause their own poverty, often they don't.
How we respond to our own wealth and the wealth and poverty of others is what God wants to see.
It’s my oldest daughter’s wedding day! And they probably were able to afford a first year of my salary on this day. And everything they’re doing has my blessing and I just can hardly wait for what God has stored up for these two wonderful children of mine. The new couple. So her name will change from Atkinson to Kidd KIDD! God bless you.
What an awesome perspective. I find myself thinking about money quite a bit these days…not because I desire to be rich, but because I desire to be out of the debt I incurred after two brushes with death in the OR, a subsequent job loss, and then my partner of 8 years splitting from me. I had to start over. And it took all of my retirement savings to survive. Now I work for a great Christian nonprofit…and I love it. But the cost of just staying alive is soul-crushing some days…and I have it much better than hundreds of people around me. Reframing my thoughts about money proves tough some days. Especially when I dwell on the fact that I pay more in taxes than Ford Motor Company.
But thank you for these words that I will no doubt come back to again.
Riches make it more difficult to enter the Kingdom of God, although if you rely on God then it is still possible.
After Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler he said:
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark10:25-27)
The people of Jesus day thought being rich was a sign of righteousness, and therefore they of all people should get into the kingdom of God. Yet Jesus said exactly the opposite- that riches were a trial on the character of the individual, who would often fail as riches very often turns you away from God.
No doubt God blessed Abraham, Job, David etc. with riches- but it was still a trial for them, to see if they would rely on God, or on their riches.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
(Prov 18:10-12)
Prov 28:6 Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Prov 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searches him out.
The world is full of rich people living near poor people.
Often the rich care about the poor, often they don't.
Often the poor cause their own poverty, often they don't.
How we respond to our own wealth and the wealth and poverty of others is what God wants to see.
This is a fantastic lesson!
Appreciate the "closer look"
Wow Scott! As always, SO good ☀️
It’s my oldest daughter’s wedding day! And they probably were able to afford a first year of my salary on this day. And everything they’re doing has my blessing and I just can hardly wait for what God has stored up for these two wonderful children of mine. The new couple. So her name will change from Atkinson to Kidd KIDD! God bless you.