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Chapter 2
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
We have all heard the old line, in connection with
someone who has made it big in regards to riches.
It was a rags to riches story.
Many a rich man or woman in history has come from meager means, and then gone to become successful through hard work. In many cases, the participant was driven, by a compulsion to reach a certain plateau.
In order for a man or a woman to reach a set goal, they may have to count every penny. In some instances, people who were compelled to persevere with very bit of stamina that they possessed, because of the lure of success: Even denied themselves the necessities of daily life to arrive at that destination A.S.A.P. .
I have heard that John D. Rockefeller, Sr. was obsessed with an insatiable appetite for wealth. In his early thirties, he had earned his first million dollars. He had become the world*s first billionaire, in his early fifties.
I can understand this kind of a person. For me to do so, I just have to want something so badly, that I channel all my energy towards my goal. A goodly number of people desire wealth. The problem is, that most of us want it via the easy route. Sometimes, I am tempted to think that I could handle it, if someone were to deliver a large shipment of gold bullion to my financial institution.
Work, work, work, and a denial of self, does not exactly motivate me to want wealth. I tend to have the philosophy that I’ll do the best I can, and if I happen to attain to one of those higher echelon positions of life, that will be okay. I know this is not popular thinking for the ambitious person. I’ve heard that Caesar was ambitious, and it cost him his life. I do have ambitions: But they are channeled to function in other areas of endeavor.
“ Labour not for the meat which perishetb1 but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: For him hath God the Father sealed.”
Song of Solomon 6:27
In far to many cases, this verse has not been used as the proper motivating force, for the desires of humankind. Consequently, we can easily observe that there is as lack of happiness and peace of mind, in the hearts of people who only have their wealth to keep them sustained.
It is really no secret, that Howard Hughes was one of the worlds richest people. Towards the end of his life he became a recluse. He was unable to handle his riches: They handled him. In at least the latter portion of his existence, he was severely imprisoned by his wealth.
I’ve heard of people who have inherited vast sums of money, and have made a decision which is contrary to the thinking of the modern man. They have decided to give it away to retain their peaceable lifestyle. As I survey some of the notables of our recent history, I can understand this kind of rational: Though I may not be crazy enough to do it.
In the Bible, I view the story of Solomon. It may be quite proper to ascribe the title of: “The Richest Man of All Time,” to him. There wasn’t much, that he could not acquire with a simple wish. But even he was not able to bring peace in any manner, by a simple command.
When the final page is turned, I know that there will not be anyone who was able to declare, that it was their wealth that bought them peace of mind. These sentiments are pronouncedly exhibited in Solomon’s journal.
“Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 12:8
As I approach this dimension of observation, I ask myself this question: What*s in a name?
There seems to be a whole lot in a name. If in my conversation with you I mention the name Wayne Gretzky, I don’t have to tell you what he does for a living. You immediately think hockey.
If I were to drop the name Ronald Reagan on you, I’m sure that it wouldn’t take much of your time, to fill me in on who he was. In all likelihood his accomplishments would stand out in your mind.
You see, there is a lot of importance in a name. I could rattle off
the names of a thousand prominent people, and for the most part you would know of their accomplishments.
Some notables have rags to riches stories. In order for them to attain to the position they sought after, they had to scrimp and scrap. Sometimes, they may have had to put others on a leash, and tie them down, in order to reach their own goal.
I may never understand the rational of a person, who is the wealthiest person of all time, and will be throughout eternity: One who did not lack peace of mind, but yet, He chose to give it all up.
This man chose to give it all up to be impoverished for the sake of others. He did it for those who rejected Him, and spit upon Him, and they didn’t believe a word He said. These ingrates, are the people that He transferred His wealth to. Unbelievable, isn’t it? I will speak for myself and say: “I was one of those ingrates.”
Only someone, who was able to love unconditionally, could possibly do this. I’m thinking of a special person. He had the power and resources to create a world with peace unending. With words like: “peace be still” He calmed the troubled seas.
In the previous chapter we approached the birthplace of
the man. It was the man Christ Jesus. It was He who created all things; simply by His word.
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
John 1:3
Awesome is the word to describe Him.
In contrast to most success stories, His was the: Riches to rags story.
Follow with me through the pages of history;(His Story ) and see where He fits into the success column. It*s hard to put a riches to rags scenario into ranks of success till you see the final outcome of His mission.
Have you ever seen a rich man come down to your level; and show you personally how you could attain to the kind of fortunes that he had? The procedure most entrepreneurs use is to travel around in luxury jet liners and limousines; from one seminar to another, and tell you how to do the same thing that they did. In the process they lighten your pocket book to pad their own.
I know someone who came to me without His expense account. He left his fancy duds and walked in my tattered clothes; and then He put on a success seminar.
Jesus Christ did this. He came down to my level; left everything behind, and said: I*m going to show you how you canalso have a blood relationship withmy Father.
His blood was going to flow until it had flowed long enough to wash away every semblance of sin we ever had. Jesus left all His glory behind, to personally make you and
I have heard of people who have been dying in poverty, and praising God with their dying breath. They could do this because just beyond life they could see their mansion. It was rags to riches for them at last.
I challenge you to show me a man that has had these credentials and been able to use them to the potential that
Jesus did.
Why didn’t He speak the word and create peace for us. Utopia could have been ours; if only He had just spoke the word. He actually did this in the garden of Eden. But He did it then with the condition that man would choose to claim it. You may say to me:” well of course He could do all these things, and show this awesome power. He is God.”
Exactly!
Why should He have come down in the fashion that He did? Why did He come as a mere mortal? The thing to remember is that He didn*t have to lower himself to this degree. It was Jesus who chose to do it. This is the only way that a true relationship of love was possible.
There are all kinds of reasons that we follow after people; be it their charisma, their wealth, or the power they generate. Package up all the reasons that would entice you to follow someone; place them beside the man Christ Jesus; and no one could be matched to Him. He*s the greatest. I*ve heard others called the Great one. There is only one.
Jesus Christ is the Great One!
You*ll recall how we traveled back in time to an insignificant little town. A place called Bethlehem. Here is where we first met this man. Here He lay, a babe on a pile of hay. Surrounded by a bunch of cattle, sheep, and donkeys; this is where He was born.
Not far away from here you could have found much nicer places to house the birth of the Great One. The palace of the king would have been a more fitting place; but He chose to be born in a manger.
I wonder what it*s like to be able to see when and where you would be born. It must be an awesome sense of power.
If you could choose through a process of reincarnation, the manner and place you desired, what would it be? Would it be as a rich young babe, in the palace of a king? Think of it; to have the power to write your own ticket. Whatever your heart desired would be yours.
Jesus wrote His own ticket to this earth. His ticket stub read:
: “ Bethlehem, Judah.”
The fare for this trip was mighty high. It wasn’t a free ride. It cost everything He had. It was for my benefit that He took this ride. Written across His ticket stub, in bold letters, was the price. It read like this:
Riches to Rags.
You can have a relationship with this man. He*ll include you in His will. Once you do become a part of His family He*ll carry you through to the very end of your days. If your interested follow me on to the next chapter and I*ll show you how to take advantage of this incredible offer.
