Tuesday, February 24, 2015
To Be Truly Rich: Are you rich in the things of this world? Do these...
To Be Truly Rich: Are you rich in the things of this world? Do these...: Are you rich in the things of this world? Do these riches satisfy your soul? If the answer is “no,” have a glimpse of what it is to have t...
Making use of time in one's life can be tricky. Time to most people is treated like a commodity. We agree, “Time is money.” But it is a great deal more than that. To get another perspective a person must only look at the saying, “To God, a thousand years are like one day.” How awesome is this! So the life span of man is like a grain of sand on a seashore.
Time is required for growth, development and the production of materials and commodities. Plants like all other living organisms have to have nutrients to multiply, but this takes time. Growth and development may be short, long and/or tedious. Human minds have to be cultivated in stages to be educated. We have to be fed gradually with spiritual food in order to develop virtues of hope, faith and love.
Gaining virtues obviously take time. Over a life-time a believer may have to study the New and Old Testaments of the Bible and with faith, be active spiritually in meditative pursuits and charitable causes. In the process of years he will spend much time having an education for a vocation or profession. A doctor spends many years in training and on internships to be considered proficient enough in a specialty to practice medicine.
Growth and development may involve having dreams and aspirations. An individual may have to imagine himself in a particular field of work. Does he have the where-with-all to do such a job? What does he expect his performance to be like? How does he think he will do in such a job? And ask himself if his personality is suitable for such a career. This is a time for being honest with oneself. Over a period of years this process of discernment may lead to many ups and down in his life, until he is able to settle on his calling.
With such challenges, there has to be breaks for rejuvenation and relaxation. That is the reason why many people take vacations. They have to be sure to have a good balance in their life. Over time we may learn that our existence may not be only for parties on such breaks. The more Christian minded may decide that instead of lying on a beach on some exotic island like Hawaii drinking beer, it may be better to spend time help building, repairing churches or digging wells in some underdeveloped country like Haiti.
In a book entitled The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) by Stephen R. Covey, whichTime listed as one of the 25 most influential of Business Management Books – a best seller that sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages, Covey stresses in “the seventh habit,” having a “sustained, long-term, effective lifestyle.” He encourages his readers to “learn, commit, do,” and envisions they would find “personal freedom, security, wisdom and power.” Such realities could only be achieved by living a life true to God's time.
Time is required for growth, development and the production of materials and commodities. Plants like all other living organisms have to have nutrients to multiply, but this takes time. Growth and development may be short, long and/or tedious. Human minds have to be cultivated in stages to be educated. We have to be fed gradually with spiritual food in order to develop virtues of hope, faith and love.
Gaining virtues obviously take time. Over a life-time a believer may have to study the New and Old Testaments of the Bible and with faith, be active spiritually in meditative pursuits and charitable causes. In the process of years he will spend much time having an education for a vocation or profession. A doctor spends many years in training and on internships to be considered proficient enough in a specialty to practice medicine.
Growth and development may involve having dreams and aspirations. An individual may have to imagine himself in a particular field of work. Does he have the where-with-all to do such a job? What does he expect his performance to be like? How does he think he will do in such a job? And ask himself if his personality is suitable for such a career. This is a time for being honest with oneself. Over a period of years this process of discernment may lead to many ups and down in his life, until he is able to settle on his calling.
With such challenges, there has to be breaks for rejuvenation and relaxation. That is the reason why many people take vacations. They have to be sure to have a good balance in their life. Over time we may learn that our existence may not be only for parties on such breaks. The more Christian minded may decide that instead of lying on a beach on some exotic island like Hawaii drinking beer, it may be better to spend time help building, repairing churches or digging wells in some underdeveloped country like Haiti.
In a book entitled The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) by Stephen R. Covey, whichTime listed as one of the 25 most influential of Business Management Books – a best seller that sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages, Covey stresses in “the seventh habit,” having a “sustained, long-term, effective lifestyle.” He encourages his readers to “learn, commit, do,” and envisions they would find “personal freedom, security, wisdom and power.” Such realities could only be achieved by living a life true to God's time.
Are you rich in the things of this world? Do these riches satisfy your soul? If the answer is “no,” have a glimpse of what it is to have the right kind of riches.
There are people in this world that have more than enough of material possessions. They tell us about their money, property and wealth. They take extravagant vacations, stay at luxurious hotels, but still are not satisfied. Some own fine paintings and sculptures by famous artists and display materials with elaborate and fine workmanship that are costly and elegant. However, such art and materials seem not to bring them contentment.
They may own an elaborate yacht, live in an expensive house, drive a fancy car and have friends in abundance, but they are still not satisfied. What if their friends have good qualities, are sweet and affable, but still something does not seem right to them.
Many attend the best concerts and listen to classical music and sopranos with deep and melodious voices. Cheering, they sip the finest wines. Dressed in stunning evening attire and flashy gowns, still something is missing. Having spruced up themselves, smelling of expensive perfumes and colognes, and having chauffeurs escort them to extravagant parties, they still may feel out of place.
These individuals may be enjoying some of the best things of this world. Their friends have a sense of humor, but what is not amusing is that they may come away feeling that life is depressing and absurd.
What is the answer?
It could be that they may have to downsize and enjoy the many simple pleasures of life. This means they have to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Pick up their cross and follow Him. It may not be easy being rich, but there is much when persons live modestly. This is when they reach the point of asking what is most important about life?
Such an individual must have an eye on things eternal. It is believed by the faithful if you have Christ you have everything. Can a person buy health, satisfaction, happiness, joy and peace of mind? Over and over we read the scriptures that warn us about the longing for material things of this world, about which we have to be careful. We have to put our hopes on God's Heavenly Kingdom where our future lies.
Happiness brings peace of mind. How can we find peace of mind? Firstly, by serving the Lord. It is true we have to enjoy the basics like having enough money to live, pay for food, clothing and shelter, but we have to be prepared to share our blessings with the less fortunate. We ought not to live for self, it is dangerous. Many famous persons on their death bed have regretted not living a godly life. One English Archbishop during the reign of Henry V111, bemoaned the fact that if he had served God as faithfully as he had served this King, he would have forgiven him in his old age. During the 16th century, Archbishop Thomas Wolsey was executed by Henry V111.
There are people in this world that have more than enough of material possessions. They tell us about their money, property and wealth. They take extravagant vacations, stay at luxurious hotels, but still are not satisfied. Some own fine paintings and sculptures by famous artists and display materials with elaborate and fine workmanship that are costly and elegant. However, such art and materials seem not to bring them contentment.
They may own an elaborate yacht, live in an expensive house, drive a fancy car and have friends in abundance, but they are still not satisfied. What if their friends have good qualities, are sweet and affable, but still something does not seem right to them.
Many attend the best concerts and listen to classical music and sopranos with deep and melodious voices. Cheering, they sip the finest wines. Dressed in stunning evening attire and flashy gowns, still something is missing. Having spruced up themselves, smelling of expensive perfumes and colognes, and having chauffeurs escort them to extravagant parties, they still may feel out of place.
These individuals may be enjoying some of the best things of this world. Their friends have a sense of humor, but what is not amusing is that they may come away feeling that life is depressing and absurd.
What is the answer?
It could be that they may have to downsize and enjoy the many simple pleasures of life. This means they have to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Pick up their cross and follow Him. It may not be easy being rich, but there is much when persons live modestly. This is when they reach the point of asking what is most important about life?
Such an individual must have an eye on things eternal. It is believed by the faithful if you have Christ you have everything. Can a person buy health, satisfaction, happiness, joy and peace of mind? Over and over we read the scriptures that warn us about the longing for material things of this world, about which we have to be careful. We have to put our hopes on God's Heavenly Kingdom where our future lies.
Happiness brings peace of mind. How can we find peace of mind? Firstly, by serving the Lord. It is true we have to enjoy the basics like having enough money to live, pay for food, clothing and shelter, but we have to be prepared to share our blessings with the less fortunate. We ought not to live for self, it is dangerous. Many famous persons on their death bed have regretted not living a godly life. One English Archbishop during the reign of Henry V111, bemoaned the fact that if he had served God as faithfully as he had served this King, he would have forgiven him in his old age. During the 16th century, Archbishop Thomas Wolsey was executed by Henry V111.
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