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Money
Wealth
The great newspaper
publisher of the early part of this century
William Randolph Hearst
was a
patron of art and spent a great deal of money collecting art treasures for his
collection. The story is told that one day he found a description of an artwork
that he felt he must own
so he sent his agent abroad to find it. After months
of searching
the agent reported that he had found the treasured object and
that it was close to home. Where was it? In Hearst’s warehouse
with many other
treasures he owned that were still in their crates. The great Hearst had been
searching for a treasure he already owned!
Such
is the power of wealth that it blinds us to the treasures we already have and
focuses us on obtaining more
without appreciating what we have.
Matthew 6:24 Money-Making
A gentleman of Boston
USA
an intimate friend of
Professor Agassiz
once expressed his wonder that a man of such abilities as he
(Agassiz) possessed should remain contented with such a moderate income. ‘I
have enough
’ was Agassiz’s reply
‘I have not time to make money. Life is not
sufficiently long to enable a man to get rich
and do his duty to his
fellow-men at the same time.’ Christian
have you time to serve your God and
yet to give your whole soul to gaining wealth? ── C.H. Spurgeon
MONEY
IS NOT EVERYING
It can buy a House
But not a Home
It can buy a Bed
But not Sleep
It can buy a Clock
But not Time
It can buy you a Book
But not Knowledge
It can buy you a Position
But not Respect
It can buy you Medicine
But not Health
It can buy you Blood
But not Life
It can buy you Sex
But not Love
So you see money isn't everything.
I tell you all this because I am your Friend
and as your Friend I want to take away your pain and suffering...
so send me all your money and I will suffer for you.
A truer Friend than me you will never find.
CASH ONLY PLEASE
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Money
A billboard advertisement
for a savings-and-loan association in Dallas
Texas
read: “We Lend Happiness
at Eighteen Locations.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Money
Money will buy a fine dog
but only love will make him wag his tail. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Money
Money is an article that
may be used as a universal provider of everything-except happiness!
Money
There’s a new golden rule
in effect today: “He who has the gold
makes up the rules.”
Debts and Money
Money is the number-one
cause of domestic unhappiness. Many couples need to undergo plastic surgery.
They need to have their credit cards cut off. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Debts and Money
Nowadays people can be
divided into three classes:
The
haves
The
have-nots
and
The
Have-Not-Paid-for-What-They-Haves.
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Debts and Money
If the Word taught me
anything
it taught me to have no connection with debt. I could not think that
God was poor
that He was short on resources
or unwilling to supply any want
of whatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack of funds
to carry on work
then to that degree
in that special development
or at that
time
it could not be the work of God.— Hudson Taylor
Deceitfulness of Money
One day a certain old
rich
man of a miserable disposition visited a rabbi
who took the rich man by the
hand and led him to a window. “Look out there” he said. The rich man looked
into the street
“What do you see?” asked the rabbi.
“I see men
women
and
children
” answered the rich man.
Again the rabbi took him by
the hand and this time led him to a mirror. “Now what do you see?”
“Now I see myself
” the
rich man replied.
Then the rabbi said
“Behold
in the window there is glass
and in the mirror there is glass. But
the glass of the mirror is covered with a little silver
and no sooner is the
silver added than you cease to see others
but you see only yourself.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Deceitfulness of Money
A businessman had an angel
come to visit him who promised to grant him one request. The man requested a
copy of the stock-market quotes for one year in the future. As he was studying
the future prices on the American and
He then glanced across the
newspaper page
only to see his own picture in the obituary column. Obviously
in the light of his certain death
money was no longer important. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Deceitfulness of Money
In the June 14
1968
issue
of Life magazine appeared a picture of young David Kennedy sitting outside the
White House. The picture had been taken several years before by his Aunt
Jacqueline and was inscribed by his Uncle John with the words: “A future
president inspects his property-John Kennedy.”
Though he had name
status
wealth
and all that money could buy
in 1984 David Kennedy was found dead by
his own hand at age twenty-eight. Money can buy the things of this world but
cannot satisfy man’s inner longing for peace. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Deceitfulness of Money
I sit in my house in
Buffalo and sometimes I get so lonely it’s unbelievable. Life has been so good
to me. I’ve got a great wife
good kids
money
my own health-and I’m lonely
and bored… I often wondered why so many rich people commit suicide. Money sure
isn’t a cure-all!— O.J. Simpson
Deceitfulness of Money
Money will buy:
A
bed
but not sleep.
Books
but not brains.
Food
but not appetite.
A
house
but not a home.
Medicine
but not health.
Amusement
but not happiness.
Finery
but not beauty.
A
crucifix
but not a Savior.
Love of Money
An old Jack Benny skit
illustrates how money can become more important to us than anything else. Jack
was walking along
when suddenly an armed robber approached him and ordered
“Your money or your life!” There was a long pause
and Jack did nothing. The
robber impatiently queried
“Well?” Jack replied
“Don’t rush me
I’m thinking
about it.” (Incidentally
in real life
Jack Benny was known as a very generous
man!) ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Gambling
With typical insight
C.S.
Lewis summed up the problem some Christians have with gambling and offered a
simple solution for those who are encouraged by friends
co-workers
and others
to participate in an office pool or “friendly wager.”
Problem: “If it is a way in
which large sums of money are transferred from person to person without doing
any good (e.g.
producing employment
goodwill
etc.)
then it is a bad thing.”
Solution: “If anyone comes
to me asking to play bridge for money
I just say
‘How much do you hope to
win? Take it and go away.’”— C.S. Lewis
Materialism
YUPPIES are passe. These days you can be a GRUMP (grim
ruthless
upwardly mobile professional)
a DINK (dual income
no kids)
or
heaven help you
a SITCOM (single income
two children
outrageous mortgage).
YUPPIE
first spotted in 1984's The
Yuppie Handbook
is easy - Young Urban Professional. That led to BUPPIES (black urban
professional)
HUPPIES (Hispanic
etc.)
GUPPIES (gay) and PUPPIES (pregnant).
The new acronyms are tougher to
decipher. Some reflect the growing
number of seniors: OPALS (older
people with active lifestyles) and SUPPIES (senior yuppies). Others:
*
MINKS: Multiple income
no kids.
*
DIWKS: Dual income
with kids.
*
TICKS: Two income couple
kids.
*
OINKS: One income
no kids. -- By William Dunn
USA TODAY
Materialism
Two new board games on the market this
year are "Gorbachev" from Milton Bradley
in which the object is to
acquire the luxuries every Soviet desires
and "Let's Go Shopping"
from Pressman Toy Corp.
in which girls 5 and up race around a mall
using
miniature shopping bags for game pieces. -- New York Times
reported in
Vitality Magazine
Materialism
If we lack basic nutrients
in our diet we suffer malnutrition. The cure is simple: take vitamin tablets to
insure you get the minimum level. Once the minimum is reached
however
additional tablets have little or no benefit. Unfortunately some people apply this
logic: “If a little was good
a lot will be better.” This simply is not true
and in some cases is dangerous. On occasion people have even lost their lives
from overdoses of vitamin A.
Sadly
this is often the
case with earning money. If at one point we lacked money for basic necessities
then money-when it finally came-was a blessing. But many have applied the logic
“If a little was good
a lot will be better.” Many have lost their lives this
way! ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Materialism
The story is told of a man
who was given a tour of one of the most impressive homes in a particular city.
The rooms seemed to go on without end
and each one was more wonderful than the
one before it. Marble
gold
and fine woods were everywhere. Finally the
visitor was asked how he liked the house. He replied
“These are the things
that make dying hard.”
For those who have seen
only the beauty of this world and who do not long for the beauty of that to
come
dying is indeed hard. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
Someone has intuitively
stated
“A bargain is something you cannot use
at a price you cannot resist!” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
The fly lands on the flypaper
and says
“My flypaper
” while the flypaper says
“My fly.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
An extremely rich
real-estate tycoon in Dallas once said
“If you go into business with the idea
of erecting an empire
all you do is make yourself a nicer cage. You’re a
prisoner of the monster you created. It’s lonely.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
The story of a butterfly
named Maculinea arion is most instructive. The creature lays its eggs on
a plant
and after feeding on the plant for several weeks
the young
caterpillar makes its way to the ground. In order to complete its development
it must meet a certain kind of ant. When such an ant meets the caterpillar
the
ant strokes it with its antennae
and the caterpillar exudes a sweet fluid from
a special gland on its tenth segment. Apparently the ant likes this substance
because it then carries the caterpillar home to its nest. There the ants drink
the sweet fluid exuded by the caterpillar
and the caterpillar feasts on larval
ants. The caterpillar spends the winter in a special cavity of the ant’s nest
and in the spring it continues eating young ants. Eventually it emerges as an
adult butterfly and flies away to establish more of its kind. And the cycle
starts all over again.
Some people are not much
different from the ants. For you see
they cherish a luxury item to the injury
of themselves. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Materialism
The preacher came over to
visit unexpectedly. Wanting to make a good impression
the lady of the house
instructed her little daughter
“Please run and get that good book we all love
so much and bring it here.”
The daughter tottered off
and then returned in a minute with triumph on her face and the Sears catalogue
in her hands! ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Materialism
An anonymous writer tells
about an American tourist’s visit to the nineteenth-century Polish rabbi hofetz
Chaim:
Astonished to see that the
rabbi’s home was only a simple room filled with books
plus a table and a
bench
the tourist asked
“Rabbi
where is your furniture?”
“Where is yours?” replied
the rabbi.
“Mine?” asked the puzzled
American. “But I’m a visitor here. I’m only passing through.”
“So am I
” said Hofetz
Chaim. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Materialism
John M. Keynes was the
founder of the modern study of economics. He realized that worldly prosperity
could come about only through a corruption of the moral laws. To bring this
prosperity to full operation in the world Lord Keynes is credited with the
following quote: “If we are to succeed
we must call good bad and bad good for
a little while longer.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
When John D. Rockefeller
died
one man was curious about how much he left behind. Determined to find
out
he set up an appointment with one of Rockefeller’s highest aides and
asked
“How much did Rockefeller leave behind?”
The aide answered
“All of
it.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Wealth
Hetty Green was possibly
America’s greatest miser. She died in 1915
leaving an estate valued at over
one million dollars
but always ate cold oatmeal because it cost too much to
heat it. Her son had to suffer through a leg amputation unnecessarily because
Hetty wasted so much time looking for a free clinic that he wasn’t examined
early enough.
Hetty Green was wealthy
but she chose to live like a pauper. Eccentric? Yes. Crazy? Perhaps
but nobody
could prove it. She was so foolish that she hastened her own death when she
suffered a stroke by becoming too excited over a discussion about the value of
drinking skimmed milk.
We laugh at the foolishness
of this eccentric old woman
but the fact is that this is a tragic illustration
of many Christians. We have limitless wealth at our disposal
and yet we often
choose to live in spiritual poverty. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Wealth
The great newspaper
publisher of the early part of this century
William Randolph Hearst
was a
patron of art and spent a great deal of money collecting art treasures for his
collection. The story is told that one day he found a description of an artwork
that he felt he must own
so he sent his agent abroad to find it. After months
of searching
the agent reported that he had found the treasured object and
that it was close to home. Where was it? In Hearst’s warehouse
with many other
treasures he owned that were still in their crates. The great Hearst had been
searching for a treasure he already owned!
Such is the power of wealth
that it blinds us to the treasures we already have and focuses us on obtaining
more
without appreciating what we have. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Many people think money is
security
but I Timothy 6:9 warns that it can be just the opposite. A few years
ago
columnist Jim Bishop reported what happened to people who won the state
lottery:
Rosa Grayson of Washington
won $400 a week for life. She hides in her apartment. For the first time in her
life
she has "nerves." Everyone tries to put the touch on her.
"People are so mean
" she said. "I hope you win the lottery and
see what happens to you."
When the McGugarts of New
York won the Irish Sweepstakes
they were happy. Pop was a steamfitter. Johnny
twenty-six
loaded crates on docks. Tim was going to night school. Pop split
the million with his sons. They all said the money wouldn't change their plans.
A year later
the million wasn't gone; it was bent. The boys weren't speaking
to Pop
or each other. Johnny was chasing expensive race horses; Tim was
catching up with expensive girls. Mom accused Pop of hiding his poke from her.
Within two years
all of them were in court for nonpayment of income taxes.
"It's the Devil's own money
" Mom said. Both boys were studying hard
to become alcoholics.
All these people hoped and
prayed for sudden wealth. All had their prayers answered. All were wrecked on a
dollar sign.── Chuck Rasmussen.
Money
Money is an article that
may be used as a universal provider of everything-except happiness! ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Money
There’s a new golden rule
in effect today: “He who has the gold
makes up the rules.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
If you have something you
can’t live without
you don’t own it; it owns you. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
Materialism has nothing to
do with amount
it has everything to do with attitude. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Materialism
In this world there are
only two tragedies. One is not getting what you want. The other is getting it. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Deceitfulness of Money
Money will buy:
A bed
but not sleep.
Books
but not brains.
Food
but not appetite.
A house
but not a home.
Medicine
but not health.
Amusement
but not
happiness.
Finery
but not beauty.
A crucifix
but not a
Savior.
──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Many people think money is
security
but I Timothy 6:9 warns that it can be just the opposite. A few years
ago
columnist Jim Bishop reported what happened to people who won the state
lottery:
Rosa Grayson of Washington
won $400 a week for life. She hides in her apartment. For the first time in her
life
she has "nerves." Everyone tries to put the touch on her.
"People are so mean
" she said. "I hope you win the lottery and
see what happens to you."
When the McGugarts of New
York won the Irish Sweepstakes
they were happy. Pop was a steamfitter. Johnny
twenty-six
loaded crates on docks. Tim was going to night school. Pop split
the million with his sons. They all said the money wouldn't change their plans.
A year later
the million wasn't gone; it was bent. The boys weren't speaking
to Pop
or each other. Johnny was chasing expensive race horses; Tim was
catching up with expensive girls. Mom accused Pop of hiding his poke from her.
Within two years
all of them were in court for nonpayment of income taxes.
"It's the Devil's own money
" Mom said. Both boys were studying hard
to become alcoholics.
All these people hoped and
prayed for sudden wealth. All had their prayers answered. All were wrecked on a
dollar sign.
Chuck Rasmussen.
When a person loves
earthly things so much that he can't get along without them
he opens himself
to much suffering
both physical and mental. Some people
for example
have
taken foolish risks to keep their riches intact. They have died rushing into
burning houses or were killed because they stubbornly resisted armed robbers.
Apparently they felt that without their material possessions life would not be
worthwhile.
Others
when forced to
part with their wealth
have been thrown into agonizing despair
even to the
point of suicide. In 1975
six armed gunmen broke into the deposit boxes in a
London bank and stole valuables worth more than $7 million. One lady
whose
jewelry was appraised at $500
000
wailed
"Everything I had was in there.
My whole life was in that box." What a sad commentary on her values!
Our Daily Bread.
Eli Black was a brilliant
businessman best know for two events in his life: He masterminded the
multimillion dollar takeover of the United Fruit conglomerate
and he jumped to
his death from the 42nd floor of the Pan Am building in New York City.
In the book An American
Company
an executive described a business lunch he had with Eli Black.
When the waitress brought a plate of cheese and crackers as an appetizer
Black
reached out and took them
placed them on the table
blocked them with his
arms
and continued talking. The executive hadn't eaten for hours and hinted
that he would like a cracker. But Black acted as though he hadn't heard him and
went on with the business meeting.
After a while
Black
placed a cracker and cheese on the tips of his fingers and continued to talk.
Several moments later
Black placed the cracker on the executive's plate and
then blocked the rest as before. It was clear that Black was in charge
manipulating others as he pleased.
When you play "follow
the leader
" check to see who is at the head of the line. Eli Black
for
all his power
ended up in suicide. Jesus Christ
in all His humility
ended up
the Savior of the world.
Our Daily Bread.
During World War II
"Eddie" Rickenbacker
American's most famous army aviator in W.W. I
was appointed special consultant to Secretary of War
Henry L. Stimson. It was
Rickenbacker's task to inspect the various theaters of war.
During one tour in 1942
Rickenbacker and seven companions made a forced landing in the Pacific Ocean.
There they experienced 24 terrifying days drifting in a lifeboat until they
were rescued by a navy plane. After his recovery from the ordeal
Rickenbacker
said: "Let the moment come when nothing is left but life
and you will
find that you do not hesitate over the fate of material possessions."
Rickenbacker understood that at such a time one is concerned about the fate of
something more precious than material goods -- life itself.
Morning Glory
January 18
1994.
In the fifth century
a
man named Arenius determined to live a holy life. So he abandoned the conforms
of Egyptian society to follow an austere lifestyle in the desert. Yet whenever
he visited the great city of Alexandria
he spent time wandering through its
bazaars. Asked why
he explained that his heart rejoiced at the sight of all
the things he didn't need.
Those of us who live in a
society flooded with goods and gadgets need to ponder the example of that
desert dweller. A typical supermarket in the United States in 1976 stocked
9
000 articles; today it carries 30
000. How many of them are absolutely
essential? How many superfluous?
Our Daily Bread
May 26
1994.
During World War 11
"Eddie" Rickenbacker
America's most famous army avaitor in W.W. 1
was appointed special consultant to Secretary of war
Henery L. Stimson. It was
Rickenbackers task to inspect the various theaters of war.
During one tour in 1942
Rickenbacker and seven other companions made a forced landing in the Pacific
Ocean. There they experienced 24 days drifting in a lifeboat until they were
rescued by a navy plane. After his recovery from the ordeal
Rickenbacker
said
" Let the moment come when nothing is left but life
and you will
find that you do not hesitate over the fate of material possessions."
Rickenbacker understood that at such a time one is concerned about the fate of
something more precious than material goods - life itself.
Source Unknown.
One night a thief broke
into the single-room apartment of French novelist Honor?de Balzac. Trying to
avoid waking Balzac
the intruder quietly picked the lock on the writer's desk.
Suddenly the silence was broken by a sardonic laugh from the bed
where Balzac
lay watching the thief.
"Why do you
laugh?" asked the thief.
"I am laughing to
think what risks you take to try to find money in a desk by night where the
legal owner can never find any by day."
Today in the Word
November 6
1993.
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray my Cuisinart to
keep
I pray my stocks are on
the rise
And that my analyst is
wise
That all the wine I sip is
white
And that my hot tub's
watertight
That racquetball won't get
too tough
That all my sushi's fresh
enough
I pray my cordless phone
still works
That my career won't lose
its perks
My microwave won't radiate
My condo won't depreciate
I pray my health club
doesn't close
And that my money market
grows
If I go broke before I
wake
I pray my Volvo they won't
take.
Steve Farrar
Family
Survival in the American Jungle
1991
Multnomah Press
p. 63.
There are two ways to get
enough: One is to accumulate more and more
the other is to desire less.
G.K. Chesterton.
Christopher Winans
in his
book
Malcolm Forbes: The Man Who Had Everything
tells of a motorcycle
tour that Forbes took through Egypt in 1984 with his Capitalist Tool motorcycle
team. After viewing the staggering burial tomb of King Tut
Forbes seemed to be
in a reflective mood.
As they were returning to
the hotel in a shuttle bus
Forbes turned to one of his associates and asked
with all sincerity: "Do you think I'll be remembered after I die?"
Forbes is remembered. He is remembered as the man who coined the phrase
"He who dies with the most toys wins." That was the wisdom of Malcolm
Forbes. In fact
that was his ambition. That's why he collected scores of
motorcycles. That's why he would pay over a million dollars for a Faberge egg.
That's why he owned castles
hot air balloons and countless other toys that he
can no longer access.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave
us words of superior wisdom when he said
"What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world
yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). It
is a fatally deficient wisdom that declares "He who dies with the most
toys wins."
Steve Farrar
Family
Survival in the American Jungle
1991
Multnomah Press
pp. 47-48.
The only reason a great
many American families don't own an elephant is that they have never been
offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments.
Source Unknown.
The world is full of
people who are making a good living but living poor lives.
Source Unknown.
Life is tragic for the
person who has plenty to live on but nothing to live for.
Source Unknown.
George W. Truett
a
well-known pastor
was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in
Texas. After the meal
the host led him to a place where they could get a good
view of the surrounding area.
Pointing to the oil wells
punctuating the landscape
he boasted
"Twenty-five years ago I had
nothing. Now
as far as you can see
it's all mine." Looking in the
opposite direction at his sprawling fields of grain
he said
"That's all
mine." Turning east toward huge herds of cattle
he bragged
"They're
all mine." Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest
he exclaimed
"That too is all mine."
He paused
expecting Dr.
Truett to compliment him on his great success. Truett
however
placing one
hand on the man's shoulder and pointing heavenward with the other
simply said
"How much do you have in that direction?" The man hung his head and
confessed
"I never thought of that."
Our Daily Bread
October 24
1992.
Dream On. Postwar
Americans always cherished the expectation that their standard of living would
improve with each generation. In polls at the onset of the Reagan era
2 of
every 3 respondents said they expected to be better off than their parents.
Now
that figure is being reversed. Almost three fourth of the 1
000 people who
answered a Roper poll for Shearson Lehman Brothers say the American Dream is
"harder to attain" than a generation ago. And 60 percent say
achieving the dream requires more financial risk than it did for their parents.
The poll also finds that
some of the values held most dear during the 1980s -- like wealth
power and
fame -- are those that Americans are now most likely to deem
"unimportant." The most important elements of today's American Dream
center on family and friends. But money remains something to dream about. For
Americans with household incomes under $25
000
it would take $54
000 a year to
fulfill the American dream. Those who make $100
000 plus crave an average of
$192
000. In other words
the American Dream usually lies nearly twice the
distance away.
Amy Bernstein
U.S.
News & World Report
July 27
1992
p. 11.
Anonymous writer
about an
American tourist's visit to the 19th century Polish rabbi
Hofetz Chaim:
Astonished to see that the
rabbi's home was only a simple room filled with books
plus a table and a
bench
the tourist asked
"Rabbi
where is your
furniture?"
"Where is
yours?" replied the rabbi.
"Mine?" asked
the puzzled American. "But I'm a visitor here. I'm only passing
through."
"So am I
" said
Hofetz Chaim.
Christopher News Notes.
"I have now disposed
of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give
them and that is faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given
them a single shilling
they would have been rich; and if they had not that
and I had given them all the world
they would be poor indeed."
Patrick Henry.
You can't have everything.
Where would you put it?
Steven Wright in Omni.
Thank God for Advertising
Critics of advertising
maintain that advertising has created a national avarice which
in turn
has
produced a "materialist society." They proceed from there to insist
that this impulse toward affluence has resulted in a kind of general
unhappiness. This proposition concludes that the more "things" we
have
the unhappier we become.
It represents a return to
the "happy savage" thesis. The critics are right about the essential
role advertising has played in contributing to America's high standard of
living
but they are wrong in concluding that it produces unhappiness. It might
be helpful to start with some notion of what does
in fact
make people happy.
The Gallup International
Research Institute recently conducted a survey of 60 countries representing
two-thirds of the world's population
the purpose of which was to measure human
satisfactions
need and concerns. They wanted to find out what makes people
happy. The inescapable conclusion of the study is that the more people have
the happier they are.
Louise F. DeMarco
Advertising
Age.
The love behind a gift is
more important than the gift itself. The person who has learned this will not
be frustrated because his gift is small
like the husband who wrote the
following lament to his wife on Mother's Day:
M is for the mink coat you
want
dear
O is for the opal ring you
crave
T is for the tiny car
you'd love
sweet
H is for the hat that
makes you rave
E is for the earrings
you'd admire
love
R is for the rug on which
you'd tread;
Put them all together
they spell bankrupt
So I'm giving you this
handkerchief instead.
Daily Bread.
Dan Crawford (1870-1926)
spent most of his adult life serving as a missionary in Africa. When it was
time to return home to Britain
Carwford described to an old Bantu the kind of
world he was about to return to. He told him about ships that ran under the
water
on the water
and even those that flew above the water. He described
English houses with all of their conveniences
such as running water and
electric lights. Then Crawford waited for the old African to register his
amazement.
"Is that all
Mr.
Crawford?" the aged man asked.
"Yes
I think it
is
" Crawford replied.
Very slowly and very
gravely
the old Bantu said
"Well
Mr. Crawford
you know
that to be
better off is not to be better."
W. Wiersbe
The
Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers
p. 188.
Leo Tolstoy once wrote a
story about a successful peasant farmer who was not satisfied with his lot. He
wanted more of everything. One day he received a novel offer. For 1000 rubles
he could buy all the land he could walk around in a day. The only catch in the deal
was that he had to be back at his starting point by sundown. Early the next
morning he started out walking at a fast pace. By midday he was very tired
but
he kept going
covering more and more ground. Well into the afternoon he
realized that his greed had taken him far from the starting point. He quickened
his pace and as the sun began to sink low in the sky
he began to run
knowing
that if he did not make it back by sundown the opportunity to become an even
bigger landholder would be lost. As the sun began to sink below the horizon he
came within sight of the finish line. Gasping for breath
his heart pounding
he called upon every bit of strength left in his body and staggered across the
line just before the sun disappeared. He immediately collapsed
blood streaming
from his mouth. In a few minutes he was dead. Afterwards
his servants dug a
grave. It was not much over six feet long and three feet wide. The title of
Tolstoy's story was: How Much Land Does a Man Need?
Bits and Pieces
November
1991.
The boxer Muhammad Ali was
known as "the champ
" arguably the most famous athlete of his
generation. He was on top
and his entourage of trainers and various helpers
shared the adulation with him. But the party ended
leaving many of Ali's loyal
followers disillusioned--and in some cases
destitute. Ali himself
now halting
in speech and uncertain in movement
says "I had the world
and it wasn't
nothin'."
Today in the Word
October
1990
p. 11.
I'll never forget a
conversation I had with the late Corrie ten Boom. she said to me
in her broken
English
"Chuck
I've learned that we must hold everything loosely
because when I grip it tightly
it hurts when the Father pries my fingers loose
and takes it from me!"
Charles Swindoll
Living
Above the Level of Mediocrity
p.114.
I have a friend who
in
mid-career
was called into the ministry. In fact
God ultimately led him
overseas. At that point he found it necessary to move all his family and as
many of their possessions as possible beyond these shores
all the way to the
island of Okinawa. He told me
"We packed everything we could in barrels
and shipped them on ahead. And then we put all of our possessions that were a
part of our trip into our station wagon. We packed that car all the way to the
top of the windows."
While driving to the place
where they would meet the ship that would take them to the Orient
they stopped
for a rest and a bite to eat. While they were inside the restaurant
a thief
broke into their station wagon and took everything except the car. Nice of him
to leave the car
wasn't it? "The only thing we had
" he said
"were the articles of clothing on our backs. Our hearts sank to the
bottom!" When asked about it later
he said
"Well
I had to face the
fact that I was holding real tight to the things in that car. And the Lord
simply turned my hands over and gave them a slap...and out came everything that
was in that car. And it all became a part of the Father's
possession."
Charles Swindoll
Living
Above the Level of Mediocrity
p. 114.
The sort of clothes I
wear
the kind of house I live in
or the quality of my furniture should not be
the result of other people doing so or because it is customary among those with
whom I associate. But whatever is done in these things in the way of
self-denial or deadness to the world should result from the joy we have in God
and from the knowledge of our being His children
and from entering into our
precious future inheritance. Not that I mean in the least by this to imply that
we should continue to live in luxury
self-indulgence
and the like while
others are in great need; but we should begin the thing in a right way. Aim
after the right state of heart; begin inwardly instead of outwardly. Oh
how
different if joy in God leads us to any little act of self-denial! How gladly
we do it then! How much does the heart then long to be able to do more for Him
who has done so much for us!
George Muller.
I place no value on
anything I have or may possess
except in relation to the kingdom of God. If
anything will advance the interests of the kingdom
it shall be given away or
kept
only as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to
whom I owe all my hopes in time or eternity.
David Livingstone.
From the standpoint of material
wealth
Americans have difficulty realizing how rich we are. Going through a
little mental exercise suggested by Robert Heilbroner can help us to count our
blessings
however. Imagine doing the following
and you will see how daily
life is for as many as a billion people in the world.
1. Take out all the
furniture in your home except for one table and a couple of chairs. Use blanket
and pads for beds.
2. Take away all of your
clothing except for your oldest dress or suit
shirt or blouse. Leave only one
pair of shoes.
3. Empty the pantry and
the refrigerator except for a small bag of flour
some sugar and salt
a few
potatoes
some onions
and a dish of dried beans.
4. Dismantle the bathroom
shut off the running water
and remove all the electrical wiring in your house.
5. Take away the house
itself and move the family into the toolshed.
6. Place your "house'
in a shantytown.
7. Cancel all
subscriptions to newspapers
magazines
and book clubs. This is no great loss
because now none of you can read anyway.
8. Leave only one radio
for the whole shantytown.
9. Move the nearest
hospital or clinic ten miles away and put a midwife in charge instead of a
doctor.
10. Throw away your
bankbooks
stock certificates
pension plans
and insurance policies. Leave the
family a cash hoard of ten dollars.
11. Give the head of the
family a few acres to cultivate on which he can raise a few hundred dollars of
cash crops
of which one third will go to the landlord and one tenth to the
money lenders.
12. Lop off twenty-five or
more years in life expectancy.
By comparison how rich we
are! And with our wealth comes responsibility to use it wisely
not to be
wasteful
and to help others. Think on these things.
Steve Williams.
A number of years ago
there was a popular program called The Goldbergs. In one episode
Jake Goldberg
came home for supper and excitedly told his wife
Molly
about a great idea he
had. He wanted to go into business. Molly had some money put away
anticipating
just such a thing
and she gave it to him. As they sat at the dinner table
enthusiastically discussing the future
Jake said
"Molly
some day we'll
be eating off of golden plates!" Molly looked at him and replied
"Jake
darling
will it taste any better?"
Source Unknown.
I am not a connoisseur of
great art
but from time to time a painting or picture will really speak a
clear
strong message to me. Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out
mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what
had been that family's sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood
an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a small
boy clutching a pair of patched overalls. It was evident that the child was
crying. Beneath the picture were the words which the artist felt the old man
was speaking to the boy. They were simple words
yet they presented a profound
theology and philosophy of life. Those words were
"Hush child
God ain't
dead!"
That vivid picture
of that burned-out mountain shack
that old man
the weeping child
and those
words "God ain't dead" keep returning to my mind. Instead of it being
a reminder of the despair of life
it has come to be a reminder of hope! I need
reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's
troubles and failures
I need mental pictures to remind me that all is not lost
as long as God is alive and in control of His world.
James DeLoach
associate
pastor of the Second Baptist Chruch of Houston
quoted in When God Was Taken
Captive
W. Aldrich
Multnomah
1989
p. 24.
I have held many things in
my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands
that I still possess.
Martin Luther.
In The Wounded Healer
Henri Nouwen retells a tale from ancient India:
Four royal brothers
decided each to master a special ability. Time went by
and the brothers met to
reveal what they had learned.
"I have mastered a
science
" said the first
"by which I can take but a bone of some
creature and create the flesh that goes with it."
"I
" said the
second
"know how to grow that creature's skin and hair if there is flesh
on its bones."
The third said
"I am
able to create its limbs if I have flesh
the skin
and the hair."
"And I
"
concluded the fourth
"know how to give life to that creature if its form
is complete."
Thereupon the brothers
went into the jungle to find a bone so they could demonstrate their
specialities. As fate would have it
the bone they found was a lion's. One
added flesh to the bone
the second grew hide and hair
the third completed it
with matching limbs
and the fourth gave the lion life. Shaking its mane
the
ferocious beast arose and jumped on his creators. He killed them all and
vanished contentedly into the jungle.
We too have the capacity
to create what can devour us. Goals and dreams can consume us. Possessions and
property can turn and destroy us--unless we first seek God's kingdom and
righteousness
and allow Him to breathe into what we make of life.
Nathan Castens.
In her book
Discipline
the Glad Surrender
Elisabeth Elliot reveals four meaningful lessons to be
learned from the discipline of our possessions: "The first lesson is that
all things are given by God...Because God gives us things indirectly by
enabling us to make them with our own hands (out of things He has made
of
course) or to earn the money to buy them...we are prone to forget that He gave
them to us. We should be thankful. Thanksgiving requires the recognition of the
Source. It implies contentment with what is given
not complaint...it excludes
covetousness. The third lesson is that things can be material for sacrifice.
The Father pours out His blessings on us; we
His creatures
receive them with
open hands
give thanks
and lift them up as an offering back to Him...This
lesson leads naturally to the fourth which is that things are given to us to
enjoy for awhile...What is not at all fitting or proper is that we should set
our hearts on them. Temporal things must be treated as temporal things--
received
given thanks for
offered back but enjoyed.
In Touch
May
1989.
All he ever really wanted
in life was more. He wanted more money
so he parlayed inherited wealth into a
billion-dollar pile of assets. He wanted more fame
so he broke into the
Hollywood scene and soon became a filmmaker and star. He wanted more sensual
pleasures
so he paid handsome sums to indulge his every sexual urge. He wanted
more thrills
so he designed
built
and piloted the fastest aircraft in the
world. He wanted more power
so he secretly dealt political favors so
skillfully that two U.S. presidents became his pawns. All he ever wanted was
more. He was absolutely convinced that more would bring him true satisfaction.
Unfortunately
history shows otherwise. He concluded his life emaciated;
colorless; sunken chest; fingernails in grotesque
inches-long corkscrews;
rotting
black teeth; tumors; innumerable needle marks from his drug addiction.
Howard Hughes died believing the myth of more. He died a billionaire junkie
insane by all reasonable standards.
Bill Hybels in Leadership
Vol X
#3 (Summer
1989)
p. 38.
John G. Wendel and his
sisters were some of the most miserly people of all time. Although they had
received a huge inheritance from their parents
they spent very little of it
and did all they could to keep their wealth for themselves. John was able to
influence five of his six sisters never to marry
and they lived in the same
house in New York City for 50 years. When the last sister died in 1931
her
estate was valued at more than $100 million. Her only dress was one that she
had made herself
and she had worn it for 25 years.
The Wendels had such a
compulsion to hold on to their possessions that they lived like paupers. Even
worse
they were like the kind of person Jesus referred to "who lays up
treasure for himself
and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).
Daily Walk
June 2
1993.
Godfrey Davis
who wrote a
biography about the Duke of Willington
said
"I found an old account
ledger that showed how the Duke spent his money. It was a far better clue to
what he thought was really important than the reading of his letters or
speeches."
How we handle money
reveals much about the depth of our commitment to Christ. That's why Jesus
often talked about money. One-sixth of the gospels
including one out of every
three parables
touches on stewardship. Jesus wasn't a fundraiser. He dealt
with money matters because money matters. For some of us
though
it matters
too much.
Our Daily Bread
August 26
1993.
Money is s lousy means of
keeping score. The futility of riches is stated very plainly in two places: The
Bible and the Income Tax form.
Billing's Law: Live within
your income even if you have to borrow to do so.
Official Rules
p. 14.
Money can be hazardous to
your health. Two medical researchers at the University of Louisville have been
looking into the question and have found that "13%" of the coins and
42% of the paper money carry disease-producing organisms." Small
denomination coins and bills are more dangerous because of their rapid
turnover.
Source Unknown.
When the Fellow says it's
not the money but the principle of the thing
it's the money.
Source Unknown.
Every time you lend money
to a friend you damage his memory.
Source Unknown.
Someone asked Willie
Sutton
the notorious bank robber why he robbed so many banks.
"Because
" replied Sutton
"That's where the money is."
Source Unknown.
Young Families in Debt:
Spending habits of young married couples with children (both spouses 18 to 25):
Average after-tax income
$19
783. Average annual spending
$21
401. They are
spending around 8% more than they make.
Family Economics Review
quoted in U.S.A.
Today
May 20
1991
p. D1.
What's the most outrageous
thing you would do for $10
000 cash? That's the question posed recently by
Chicago radio station WKOX
which attracted responses from more than 6
000
full-tilt crazies.
The eventual winner: Jay
Gwaltney of Zionsville
Indiana
who consumed an 11-foot birch sapling --
leaves
roots
bark and all. For the event
he donned a tux and dined at a
table set elegantly with china
sterling
candles and a rose vase. Armed with
pruning sheers
the Indiana State University sophomore began chomping from the
top of the tree and worked his way
branch by branch
to the roots. His only
condiment: French dressing for the massive birch-leaf salad. The culinary feat
took 18 hours over a period of three days.
When it was all over
Gwaltney complained of an upset stomach. Evidently the bark was worse than his
bite.
Campus Life
December
1980
p. 19.
Percentage of all paper
money in the U.S. that contains traces of cocaine: 97%
Charis Conn
Ed.
What
Counts: The Complete Harper's Index.
In 1928 a group of the
world's most successful financiers met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago.
The following were present: The president of the largest utility company
The
greatest wheat speculator
The president of the New York Stock Exchange
A
member of the President's Cabinet
The greatest "bear" in Wall Street
The president of the Bank of International Settlements
The head of the world's
greatest monopoly. Collectively
these tycoons controlled more wealth than
there was in the U.S. Treasury
and for years newspapers and magazines had been
printing their success stories and urging the youth of the nation to follow
their examples. Twenty-five years later
this is what had happened to these
men:
The president of the
largest independent steel company
Charles Schwab
lived on borrowed money the
last five years of his life and died broke.
The greatest wheat
speculator
Arthur Cutten
died abroad
insolvent.
The president of the New
York Stock Exchange
Richard Whitney
served a term in Sing Sing Prison.
The member of the
President's Cabinet
Albert Fall
was pardoned from prison so he could die at
home.
The greatest
"bear" in Wall Street
Jesse Livermore
committed suicide.
The president of the Bank
of International Settlements
Leon Fraser
committed suicide.
The head of the world's
greatest monopoly
Ivar Drueger
committed suicide.
All of these men had
learned how to make money
but not one of them had learned how to live.
Source Unknown.
When a person with
experience meets a person with money
the person with experience will get the
money. And the person with the money will get experience.
Leonard Lauder
president
of Estee Lauder.
Research indicates that
most households tend to spend 10 percent more than their income
no matter what
the income level.
Source Unknown.
He that is down needs fear
no fall
He that is low
no pride;
He that is humble ever
shall
Have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I
have
Little be it or much;
And
Lord
contentment
still I crave
Because Thou savest such.
Fullness to such a burden
is
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little
and hereafter
bliss
Is best from age to age.
John Bunyan.
How rich is rich?
According to a survey of people who ought to know
the answer is $1 million to
$5 million in assets. Investment managers Neuberger & Bergman sponsored the
survey of people who stand to give or receive inheritances (median household
assets: $500
000). Paradoxically
55% of those whose assets ranged from $1
million to $5 million don't consider themselves wealthy.
USA Today
November 11
1991
D1.
Albert J. Lowry set out to
prove that it was easy to get rich quick in real estate with no money down--and
he dud just that. Not surprisingly
his 1980 book
How You Can Become
Financially Independent by Investing in Real Estate
was a
bestseller. In a May 1981 cover story
Money magazine estimated Lowry's net
worth at $30 million and called him a "real estate wizard." But
something went wrong
and in October 1985 the Success development Institute
which promoted Lowry's theories
collapsed with $2.5 million in debts. In June
of 1987 it was reported that Lowry's assets were being liquidated in Los
Angeles under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy code.
Today in the Word
November 22
1991.
Whoever says money can't
buy happiness doesn't know where to shop.
Donald Trump
U.S. News
and World Report
January 9
1989.
Measure wealth not by the
things you have
but by the things you have for which you would not take
money.
Source Unknown.
According to a Gallup
survey
almost half the total charitable contributions in the US come from
households with incomes of less than $30
000.
Reported in The Other
Side
quoted in Discipleship Journal
Issue 53
1989
p. 20.
There are two ways in
which a Christian may view his money--"How much of my money shall I use
for God?" or "How much of God's money shall I use for
myself?"
W. Graham Scroggie.
In I Talk Back to the
Devil
A.W. Tozer reminds us:
"Money often comes
between men and God. Someone has said that you can take two small ten-cent
pieces
just two dimes
and shut out the view of a panoramic landscape. Go to
the mountains and just hold two coins closely in front of your eyes--the
mountains are still there
but you cannot see them at all because there is a
dime shutting off the vision in each eye."
It doesn't take large
quantities of money to come between us and God; just a little
placed in the
wrong position
will effectively obscure our view.
Cedric Gowler.
The rich get richer and
the poor get poorer--and it seems that compound interest would virtually guarantee
it! Not so
according to investment counselor David Dreman. Writing in Forbes
magazine
Dreman noted that most large fortunes diminish and sometimes
disappear in only two or three generations. He observed
"Why most nest
eggs dissipate over time is a major problem..."
Today in the Word
April
1990
p. 9.
The average charitable
giving in the United States is 1.7 percent of adjusted gross income. The
average among Christians is 2.5 percent.
Ron Blue
quoted in Discipleship
Journal
Issue 53
1989
p. 20.
In the United States in
1950
10 percent of all income was spent for luxuries ($50 billion). By 1980
30 percent of all income went to luxuries ($350 billion).
Source Unknown.
The real measure of our
wealth is how much we'd be worth if we lost all our money.
J.H. Jowett.
If you had your life to
live over again--you'd need more money.
Construction Digest.
Money will buy a bed but
not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty;
a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture;
amusements but not happiness; religion but not salvation; a passport to
everywhere but heaven.
The Voice In the
Wilderness
quoted in Discipleship Journal
Issue 53
1989
p. 21.
Before borrowing money
from a friend
decide which you need more.
Addison H. Hallock.
What the wealthy think
about money:
I have made many millions
but they have brought me no happiness--John W. Rockefeller.
The care of $200
000
000
is enough to kill anyone. There is no pleasure in it--W.H. Vanderbilt.
I am the most miserable
man on earth--John Jacob Astor.
I was happier when doing a
mechanic's job--Henry Ford.
Millionaires seldom
smile--Andrew Carnegie.
Source Unknown.
According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics
Americans spend their incomes as follows:
Shelter 23%
Transportation 21%
Food 15%
Retirement plans 8%
Utilities 7%
Clothing 5%
Entertainment 5%
Medical care 5%
Savings 3%
Insurance (excluding care
and home) 1%
Miscellaneous 7%
Reported in First
quoted in Discipleship Journal
Issue 53
1989
p. 21.
According to Social
Security records
85 out of 100 Americans have less than $250 when they reach
age 65.
Ron Blue
Master Your
Money.
Almost half of Americans
report having less than $5
000 in savings and investments
including 1 out of
10 who have none at all. Significantly
more than one-fourth of Americans did
not save or invest any of their income in the past year.
Dr. Seymour Lieberman
Homemade
January
1985.
One day a certain old
rich man of a miserable disposition visited a rabbi
who took the rich man by
the hand and led him to a window. "Look out there
" he said. The rich
man looked into the street. "What do you see?" asked the rabbi.
"I see men
women
and children
" answered the rich man. Again the
rabbi took him by the hand and this time led him to a mirror. "Now what do
you see?" "Now I see myself
" the rich man replied.
Then the rabbi said
"Behold
in the window there is glass
and in the mirror there is glass.
But the glass of the mirror is covered with a little silver
and no sooner is
the silver added than you cease to see others
but you see only yourself."
Source Unknown.
A young man came out of
the Ozark Mountains in his early manhood with the firm purpose of making a
fortune in gold. Gold became his god
and putting it first
he won it. He came
to be worth millions. Then the crash came
and he was reduced to utter poverty.
His reason tottered and fell along with his fortune.
Source Unknown.
One day a policeman found
Eads Bridge gazing down into the waters of the Mississippi. He ordered him to
move on. "Let me alone
" he answered
"I'm trying to think.
There is something better than gold
but I have forgotten what it is."
They placed him in an institution for the insane. They knew that a man who
could forget that was not himself.
Clovis Chappell.
Many people think money is
security
but I Timothy 6:9 warns that it can be just the opposite. A few years
ago
columnist Jim Bishop reported what happened to people who won the state
lottery: Rosa Grayson of Washington won $400 a week for life. She hides in her
apartment. For the first time in her life
she has "nerves." Everyone
tries to put the touch on her. "People are so mean
" she said.
"I hope you win the lottery and see what happens to you."
When the McGugarts of New
York won the Irish Sweepstakes
they were happy. Pop was a steamfitter. Johnny
twenty-six
loaded crates on docks. Tim was going to night school. Pop split
the million with his sons. They all said the money wouldn't change their plans.
A year later
the million wasn't gone; it was bent. The boys weren't speaking
to Pop
or each other. Johnny was chasing expensive race horses; Tim was
catching up with expensive girls. Mom accused Pop of hiding his poke from her.
Within two years
all of them were in court for nonpayment of income taxes.
"It's the Devil's own money
" Mom said. Both boys were studying hard
to become alcoholics. All these people hoped and prayed for sudden wealth. All
had their prayers answered. All were wrecked on a dollar sign.
Chuck Rasmussen.
I have held many things in
my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands
that I still possess.
Martin Luther.
John Wesley's attitude is
worthy of pondering. When he learned that his house had been destroyed by fire
he exclaimed
"The Lord's house burned. One less responsibility for
me!"
Our Daily Bread.
Help me not to put too
much stock in possessions
Lord. I want things
sure. But life seems to be a
continual round of wanting things -- from the first toys we fight over as
children to our thrilled unwrapping of wedding presents to those we buy in our
old age. Our concern is not primarily love and friends and pride in what we can
do
but things.
Sometimes I'm ashamed of
how much I want mere possessions -- things for my husband and the house and the
children. Yes
and things for myself
too. And this hunger is enhanced every
time I turn on the television or walk through a shopping mall. My senses are
tormented by the dazzling world of things.
Lord
cool these fires of
wanting. Help me to realize how futile is this passion for possessions. Because
-- and this is what strips my values to the bone -- one of my best friends died
today in the very midst of her possessions. She was in the beautiful home she
and her husband worked so hard to achieve
the home that was finally furnished
the way she wanted it with the best of everything. She was surrounded by the
Oriental rugs she was so proud of
the formal French sofas
the painting
the
china and glass
the handsome silver service...She had been snatched away while
silently
almost cruelly
THEY remain. Lord
I grieve for my friend. My heard
hurts that she had so little time to enjoy the things that she had earned and
that meant so much to her. But let me learn something from this loss; that
possessions are meant to enhance life
not to become the main focus of living.
Help me remember that we come into the world with nothing and we leave with
nothing.
Don't let me put too much
stock in mere possessions.
Marjorie Holmes.
John G. Wendel and his
sisters were some of the most miserly people of all time. Although they had
received a huge inheritance from their parents
they spent very little of it
and did all they could to keep their wealth for themselves.
John was able to influence
five of his six sisters never to marry
and they lived in the same house in New
York City for 50 years. When the last sister died in 1931
her estate was
valued at more than $100 million. Her only dress was one that she had made
herself
and she had worn it for 25 years.
The Wendels had such a
compulsion to hold on to their possessions that they lived like paupers. Even
worse
they were like the kind of person Jesus referred to "who lays up
treasure for himself
and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).
Daily Walk
June 2
1993.
John D. Rockefeller's
three simple rules for anyone who wants to become rich: 1. Go to work
early. 2. Stay at work late. 3. Find oil.
Source Unknown.
How rich is rich?
According to a survey of people who ought to know
the answer is $1 million to
$5 million in assets. Investment managers Neuberger & Bergman sponsored the
survey of people who stand to give or receive inheritances (median household
assets: $500
000). Paradoxically
55% of those whose assets ranged from $1
million to $5 million don't consider themselves wealthy.
USA Today
November 11
1991
D1.
Dear Lord
I have been re-reading the
record of the Rich Young Ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set
me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had
he could not-- ride in a car
have any surgery
turn on a light
buy penicillin
hear a pipe organ
watch TV
wash dishes in running water
type a letter
mow a lawn
fly in an airplane
sleep on an innerspring mattress
or talk on the phone
If he was rich
then what
am I?
P. Brand
Fearfully and
Wonderfully Made
p. 61.
From the standpoint
of material wealth
Americans have difficulty realizing how rich we are. Going
through a little mental exercise suggested by Robert Heilbroner can help us to
count our blessings
however. Imagine doing the following
and you will see how
daily life is for as many as a billion people in the world.
1. Take out all the
furniture in your home except for one table and a couple of chairs. Use blanket
and pads for beds.
2. Take away all of your
clothing except for your oldest dress or suit
shirt or blouse. Leave only one
pair of shoes.
3. Empty the pantry and
the refrigerator except for a small bag of flour
some sugar and salt
a few
potatoes
some onions
and a dish of dried beans.
4. Dismantle the bathroom
shut off the running water
and remove all the electrical wiring in your house.
5. Take away the house
itself and move the family into the tool shed.
6. Place your "house'
in a shantytown.
7. Cancel all
subscriptions to newspapers
magazines
and book clubs. This is no great loss
because now none of you can read anyway.
8. Leave only one radio
for the whole shantytown.
9. Move the nearest
hospital or clinic ten miles away and put a midwife in charge instead of a
doctor.
10. Throw away your
bankbooks
stock certificates
pension plans
and insurance policies. Leave the
family a cash hoard of ten dollars.
11. Give the head of the
family a few acres to cultivate on which he can raise a few hundred dollars of
cash crops
of which one third will go to the landlord and one tenth to the
money lenders.
12. Lop off twenty-five or
more years in life expectancy.
By comparison how rich we
are! And with our wealth comes responsibility to use it wisely
not to be
wasteful
and to help others. Think on these things.
Steve Williams.
Measure wealth not by the
things you have
but by the things you have for which you would not take
money.
Anonymous.
Perhaps the most famous
gold strike in American history occurred in January 1848 when a man named John
Marshall found gold at Sutter's Mill in northern California. The find set off a
gold rush that reached a frenzied pitch and even attracted prospectors from
Europe--but it ruined Marshall and John Stutter
the man who owned the land
where gold lay for the taking. Sutter's land was overrun by gold seekers
his
cattle were stolen
and he was driven into bankruptcy. Marshall died drunken
and penniless.
Today in the Word
June
1990
p. 16.
If thou art rich
thou art
poor
for like an ass whose back with ingots bows
thou bearest thy heavy
riches but a journey
and death unloads thee.
William Shakespeare.
The difference between
playing the stock market and the horses is that one of the horses must
win.
Joey Adams.
COVETOUSNESS.
Ⅰ. Covetousness always seeks
to take from another that which would be to the other’s advantage (verse 1
2)
Ⅱ. Covetousness is
regardless of God’s Word (ver.3; Lev.25:23).
Ⅲ. Covetousness is
displeased when it does not accomplish its purpose (verse 4).
Ⅳ. Covetousness will allow
dishonest and diabolical means to obtain its end (verse 5-9).
Ⅴ. Covetousness will lie
by bearing false witness to get its
desire (verse 10-13
16).
Ⅵ. Covetousness is noted by
God (verses 17-19).
Ⅶ. Covetousness is not
allowed to go unrebuked (verses 20-25).
Ⅷ. “ Covetousness is
idolatry” (verse 26; Col.3:5).
Ⅸ. Covetousness brings evil
on others (verse 29).
Ⅹ. Covetousness brings
punishment (ver.21; Hab.2:9-12).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
COVETOUSNESS.
Covetousness is
the root of all evils. It—
Ⅰ. Blunts the sensitive
nerve of love (Jude 11).
Ⅱ. Blurs the picture of life
(11. Tim 4:10).
Ⅲ. Banishes the
companionship of generosity (Matt.13:22).
Ⅳ. Breeds the evil worm of
discontent ( 1. Tim.6:5-8).
Ⅴ. Burdens the spirit with
the load of sorrow ( 1. Tim.6:10)
Ⅵ. Blinds the eyes to the
beauty of Christ (Luke 18:22-24).
Ⅶ. Blasts the unscrupulous
devotee with an unholy passion and endless misery ( 1. Tim.6:9).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
"RESPONDING TO MATERIALISM"
INTRODUCTION
1. We live in a very materialistic society... a. As evidenced in our popular culture (music
TV
etc.) b. As expressed in the desire for an affluent lifestyle 2. Materialism is dangerous foe to the Christian... a. The deceitfulness of riches can render the Christian fruitless - Mt 13:22 b. The desire for riches can ensnare the Christian
leading him astray - 1 Ti 6:9-10 3. What can we do as Christians
and as the church? Consider God's use of Isaiah... a. Sent to a corrupt and materialistic society - Isa 1:21-23 b. Offering that which truly satisfies - Isa 55:1-3 [Today
Jesus has a similar response
which we can offer to a world thatis starving for what truly satisfies...] I. JESUS' RESPONSE TO MATERIALISM
A. EXPOSES THE DEFICIENCY OF RICHES... 1. Many think of "the good life" in terms of material prosperity 2. Jesus taught there is more to life than material possessions a. Man's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions - Lk 12:15 b. As illustrated in the parable of the rich fool - Lk 12:16-21 3. Jesus taught the insecurity of riches - Mt 6:19-20 a. They are susceptible to corruption b. They are open to theft 4. Jesus taught the danger of riches - Mt 6:21-24 a. They can dominate our affections b. They can blind us to the true light c. They can prevent us from being able to serve God -- Thus the message of Jesus is one of correcting ourmisconceptions; riches do not make one happy!
B. EXTENDS THE TRULY ABUNDANT LIFE... 1. Jesus offers a life filled with peace - cf. Jn 14:27 a. Peace with God through justification - Ro 5:1-2 b. Peace with man through reconciliation - Ep 2:14-16 c. Peace with self through supplication - Ph 4:6-7 -- The peace Jesus offers "surpasses all understanding" - Ph4:7
2. Jesus offers a life filled with love - cf. Jn 15:9 a. Love patterned after the Father's love for the Son - Jn 15:9 b. Love that can be fervent
yet pure between brethren - 1 Pe1:22
c. Love that can be extended even toward enemies - Mt 5:43-45 -- The love Jesus offers "passes knowledge" - Ep 3:9 3. Jesus offers a life filled with joy - cf. Jn 15:11 a. His commandments
His promises
all are designed to impart joy - Jn 15:11 b. A joy that can abound in any circumstance - e.g.
Ph 2:17-18; 4:4; 1 Pe 1:6
-- The joy Jesus offers is "inexpressible" - 1 Pe 1:8 -- By offering such peace
love
and joy
perhaps we can appreciate why Jesus said He offers an "abundant" life - cf. Jn10:10
[To communicate this response to a materialistic society
Jesus callsupon His church. While it certainly entails proclaiming the gospel
letme suggest some additional thoughts about...] II. OUR RESPONSE TO MATERIALISM
A. EXEMPLIFY JESUS' RESPONSE AS INDIVIDUALS... 1. As individuals we must possess the peace
love
and joy Jesus offers a. Which comes through heeding His words - Jn 15:10-11 b. Which comes through spending time in prayer - Ph 4:6-7 -- If we fail to spend the time necessary in such activities
how convincing can we be that we have a more "abundant" life to offer? 2. As individuals we must not depend on material things for true happiness a. If poor
learn the secret of contentment - cf. 1 Ti 6:6-8;Ph 4:11-13
b. If rich
trust not in riches but be quick to help those in need - cf. 1 Ti 6:17-19 -- Being content and willing to share goes a long way toward demonstrating that Jesus' response to materialism really means something! B. EXEMPLIFY JESUS' RESPONSE AS A CONGREGATION... 1. The value of a congregational demonstration cannot be taken lightly a. Jesus stressed the value of brotherly love and unity - Jn13: 35; 17:20-21
b. His church illustrated the value of congregational love and joy - cf. Ac 2:46-47; 6:7 (in light of 6:1-6) 2. We should make sure that our fellowship and worship demonstrates... a. The love we have found in Christ (e.g.
by the way we greet one another) b. The joy of being Christians (e.g.
by the way we praise God) c. The peace Jesus made possible (e.g.
by the way we work together) 3. We should be careful as a congregation not to fall into a materialistic trap a. By placing too much concern over such things as: 1) The physical facilities in which we meet 2) The physical appearances of the members or visitors b. Not that is wrong to have comfortable facilities or to look nice 1) But that should not be our primary concern 2) But not to the neglect of truly important matters (like saving souls)! c. Otherwise we could be guilty of being like the Laodiceans - Re 3:17 1) Who thought they were "rich
wealthy
and have need of nothing" 2) Who were unaware they were "wretched
miserable
poor
blind
and naked" CONCLUSION
1. The rampant materialism in our society provides us with an opportunity... a. For materialism leaves one in a state of spiritual malnutrition b. Therefore often ripe for the true feast Jesus has to offer 2. What does Jesus offer...? a. Rest for a weary soul - Mt 11:28-30 b. Rivers of living water for a thirsty soul - Jn 7:37-39 -- Which He provides through His cleansing blood and life-quickening Spirit - Ac 2:38-39 3. But if those trapped in materialism are going to believe such is possible... a. We need to make sure that we are offering the "abundant life" as a viable alternative b. Both individually and as a congregation of God's people! Are we experiencing the peace that "surpasses all understanding
" thelove which "passes knowledge " and the joy that is "inexpressible"?
－－《Executable
Outlines》