SS Thoughts #38: Rich or Poor? (Developed out of SS remarks 17/10/2015)

A Gallup Poll was once done to find out how much money people thought they needed to earn to consider themselves rich. Everyone had a different number. For example:

Salary	Magic Number
$30,000	$60,000
$50,000	$100,000
$100,000	$200,000

           

Got the picture? The magic number was invariably twice what the person was earning.

What’s the problem? The problem is that “RICH” is a moving target, and no matter how much money we have or make, we will probably NEVER consider ourselves rich.

But consider this…. The internet reports that the top 20% of the global population earns an estimated US $54000 a year, compared to the bottom 20% with just $8500 a year. Not too bad, except if we consider that the global median income is just $1225 a year. Hmmm….

Now consider these examples of ‘rich people’ problems:

·      Can’t decide where to go on vacation

·      Slow internet; computer crashed

·      There’s no signal in this place – my cell phone shows only 1 bar!!

If you’ve had these problems then you are richer than you thought! But categorizing yourself as poor might not be bad, for we are reminded that the love of money is the root of all evil, (1 Tim. 6:10). Consider also the story of the rich young ruler who could not give up his riches for a chance at eternal life, (Matt. 19:16-23)—a good reminder that where your treasure is, your heart will be also, (Matt. 6:21).

What about you? Are you willing to choose Christ over riches? Are YOU willing to give up everything for YOUR chance at eternal life?

Listen to the Aeolians sing “It Pays to Serve Jesus” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTvwvyi2Tc

How apt is the refrain of this song:

“It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day,
It pays every step of the way,
Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear,
You’ll be happy each step of the way”.

           

                        Frank C. Huston (1909). Copyright: Public Domain

An Addendum: (something interesting I read this morning about the gifts we have been given)

"If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:8). 

Ahhhhhhhh.......