Okay, so I know the title is a bit strong but I wanted to get your attention. I’ve been wanting to write this blog for a while now but wasn’t sure if it would get misunderstood, but I’m going to take that chance. Before you get offended, hear me out and then draw your own conclusions.
One day, my husband and I met a lady in the market who had previously said that she’d had financial problems. However, since then, she had gotten a job. My husband invited her to the Monday meeting at the UCKG and she smiled sweetly and said “Oh, I now have everything that I need. I have enough for me and my family so we are happy thank you.”
I’m not criticising this lady as she didn’t know any better but I couldn’t help feeling sad and angry at the way many people think when it comes to money. I’ve heard many people say, even Christians, that as long as they have enough to get by, they are happy and that they shouldn’t be greedy, afterall, “there are many people so much worse off than them,” although I'm sure that if someone offered them a million pounds they wouldn't hesitate to take it.
Okay, you may have enough for you and your family but just think about what you could do if you had more. Think of all the others out there that could benefit from your wealth. Think of how many good and worthwhile projects you could contribute to.
And there's another thing. People take notice of prosperous people. They listen to what they have to say. Have you ever taken advice from a beggar on the street or even been interested in what he/she had to say? Be honest. Cruel? But it’s true isn’t it? Now turn that around. If you met someone that was rich and successful, wouldn’t you be interested in them? Wouldn’t you want to know more about them and the way they think and what took them where they are today?
Imagine yourself as a successful, rich Christian. When you talk, people will listen, when you tell them about the foundation of your success, they won’t be able to deny that it’s true, when the church is in need of something to further God’s work, you will have no problem to sponsor it. Imagine the possibilities. Imagine how much you could do! On the other hand, if you wanted that kind of life to show off, or to indulge in your riches without a second thought for anyone else, then you’d have it all wrong. Of course, God wants you to have the best of everything, but He also expects you to use what He has enabled you to have, to help and save others.
One day, I really understood this. My husband and I were in our early twenties and were blessed. We had really good jobs and always had offerings to give, owned a three bedroom house and were going on 2 or 3 luxury holidays a year. On one holiday, we were even asked how a couple so young could afford such a holiday. We were comfortable. But one day, I realised that it wasn’t just about us and that our lives should make an impact. So I started aiming higher, although deep down, I really wanted to do God’s work, but in the meantime I was going to go higher. It’s funny because when I took a step towards that, I was invited to work in the church as an employee, but that’s another story for another blog.
So you see friend, it’s never good for us to remain happy in our own little bubble, only thinking of ourselves. Perhaps when a Campaign of Israel comes along, you don’t even think that you need to take part. You say to yourself, well, I don’t have any serious problems to solve anymore and I am happy with my life. Spiritual life is good, family is getting along, good health, all is well. But answer this, can people really see God in the whole of your life? If you opened your mouth to speak about Him, would people sit up and take notice?
5 comments:
This is so true Mrs Chris - love this article and the title!
So, let me see if I got this straight. Everyone should spend their lives trying to get really rich, because then people will listen to them, see the light and come to Jesus. What world are you living in? What kind of low life actually thinks to himself “oh here's someone with a lot of money, they must be worth listening too.” How pathetic is your gospel if the strongest point you can make about it is that it made you rich? And what happens if someone with different beliefs who is even richer comes along? Would you listen to a scientologist just because he's obscenely moneyed? By your logic you could not possibly blame anyone for doing so.
Can you imagine Jesus Christ reading what you wrote? I wonder what He would think of what you have made of His Gospel. A Gospel so powerful it swept through the middle east, anatolia, southern Europe, and northern Africa, eventually forcing the Roman emperor to convert to it in order to please so many Christians. It did not do so because it made anyone rich. Quite the contrary, Christians in those early days were driven to give up all worldly ambition and await the return of the Christ. The members of the early churches lived communally, their belongings redistributed to each member according to need.
What you have written here borders on blasphemy. Do not drag the Gospel through the mud your mind must be in.
Hi James. No, I'm not saying everyone should spend their lives aiming high... but only those who want to make a difference, only those who care about others and not only about themselves or their family, only those who want to lead people to a better life, only those who want to be positive role models, only those who want to add to their community in all sorts of ways, and that my friend isn't for everyone. By the way, would you happen to be the same James that I met on Sunday in church? If so, it was very nice to meet you. Thanks for sharing your views.
It is so true, I hadn't thought about this in a while. So often we get lost in our everyday things and we get comfortable with our lives (work,spiritual life,that family member who will "eventually" come to God and so on) and start settling.. It's necessary to be renewed
Hello darling! Very intelligent article, it does open people's minds!
Big kiss to you!
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