The Poor Rich

The poor and the rich

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. Proverbs 13:7

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; Psalm 113:7

If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Psalm 62:10b

Author Anonymous

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Pass this on to friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.

"Life is too short and friends are too few."

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Proverbs 30:8

Entering The Kingdom of God

The things of this world are so enticing and presented in such a way, that it is forcing itself in many lives. Satan is out to keep everyone busy with things that really don't matter, nor have longlasting value.

So easily one can be sidetracked by issues which hinder their walk with God, or even are in the way of entering the Kingdom of God.

Jesus says: I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9

You need to enter the correct door in order to be saved and to come into the Kingdom of God.

If you tried to come to God through anything else, you have not yet received Christ as Savior, Lord and Master.

Even if you know about Jesus Christ and the Scripture, you are not saved unless you have accepted His Sacrifice for your sins and surrendered your life unto Him.

You cannot call upon God outside of Jesus Christ, because you need first to be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus from all unrighteousness. You may even think of yourself as a Christian, while you may not be one.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. John 10:27,28

You may say that you know all this and believe it. But this is still not enough, until you act upon this knowledge and walk in obedience to what you believe and know, according to God's word.

Perhaps you think you're okay, but according to the Scripture one will not enter the Kingdom of God without a concrete commitment to Jesus, the Christ.
You must be redeemed from sin, evil and the powers of satan; entering through the Door, if you want to communicate with the Father.

No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (Jesus). John 14:6b

A born-again follower of Christ acts according to God's word and obeys His will. God's will for your life may be found in the New Testament; the Time of Grace.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

One cannot serve God and the "flesh" at the same time. The pleasures of this world are but temporal, which will keep your soul and mind busy. It will sidetrack you from the most important issue; walking pleasing unto God Almighty.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2

How pleasurable the things of this world may be, they are short lived. Where will you be after this life?

I am not suggesting to avoid clean pleasure, but rather not seeking worldly pleasure. Don't allow anything to take away your dedication to Jesus Christ; your holiness; commitment and your surrendered life to God.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 Timothy 3:14

May you allow God to lead and guide you in all truth, I pray.