Live Simply
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
It seems that the main concern in these final days before the election is the condition of our economy and there is fear that our “way of life” and the freedom to prosper is being threatened.
What I fear most today is the fact that the majority of us, at times myself included, depend upon money more than upon our creator for a meaningful existence.
There are many passages in the Bible that warn us about the misuse and love of money with most of those words coming directly from Jesus. Application of these teachings is often difficult in this world, even for the most faithful followers. It is “upside down” to believe that to experience freedom we must possess less.
I have witnessed the change that occurs in people as they become financially successful. Money slowly becomes their master and their desire for more seems never ending. They begin to lose touch with the needs of the less fortunate and focus only on what will bring more success.
The candidates are spending a mind boggling amount of money and a great deal of time trying to convince us that they have a plan to help us prosper when in reality only their most faithful contributors, those with the never-ending desire for more, will benefit. Imagine how many starving children could be fed and clothed with the money they are spending.
Years ago I heard a pastor tell this story to drive home a point.
A small country church was celebrating a landmark anniversary with a homecoming service. Many past and present members were in attendance.
During the service the minister asked if anyone had a story from the past to share. A well-dressed, middle-aged man stood and began to speak.
He said he attended the church as a young child and one Sunday there was a plea before the offering was taken for members to be extra generous because the church desperately needed a new roof. As the plate came to the young boy he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar that was a birthday gift. It was all the money he had, but still, he dropped it into the plate.
Soon after, his family moved away, he graduated from high school, went on to college, started a business and became very successful. He felt that God had blessed him with success because of his willingness to give everything he had to the church when he was a child.
Applause and “Praise the Lord” rang out in response to this wonderful story.
After things calmed down an older gentleman stood up in the back and asked, “Would you be willing to do it again”?
Live simply so others can simply live.
Nick Yoder
Leesburg, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
It seems that the main concern in these final days before the election is the condition of our economy and there is fear that our “way of life” and the freedom to prosper is being threatened.
What I fear most today is the fact that the majority of us, at times myself included, depend upon money more than upon our creator for a meaningful existence.
There are many passages in the Bible that warn us about the misuse and love of money with most of those words coming directly from Jesus. Application of these teachings is often difficult in this world, even for the most faithful followers. It is “upside down” to believe that to experience freedom we must possess less.
I have witnessed the change that occurs in people as they become financially successful. Money slowly becomes their master and their desire for more seems never ending. They begin to lose touch with the needs of the less fortunate and focus only on what will bring more success.
The candidates are spending a mind boggling amount of money and a great deal of time trying to convince us that they have a plan to help us prosper when in reality only their most faithful contributors, those with the never-ending desire for more, will benefit. Imagine how many starving children could be fed and clothed with the money they are spending.
Years ago I heard a pastor tell this story to drive home a point.
A small country church was celebrating a landmark anniversary with a homecoming service. Many past and present members were in attendance.
During the service the minister asked if anyone had a story from the past to share. A well-dressed, middle-aged man stood and began to speak.
He said he attended the church as a young child and one Sunday there was a plea before the offering was taken for members to be extra generous because the church desperately needed a new roof. As the plate came to the young boy he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar that was a birthday gift. It was all the money he had, but still, he dropped it into the plate.
Soon after, his family moved away, he graduated from high school, went on to college, started a business and became very successful. He felt that God had blessed him with success because of his willingness to give everything he had to the church when he was a child.
Applause and “Praise the Lord” rang out in response to this wonderful story.
After things calmed down an older gentleman stood up in the back and asked, “Would you be willing to do it again”?
Live simply so others can simply live.
Nick Yoder
Leesburg, via e-mail[[In-content Ad]]
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