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Have you ever wanted to be really rich? All those things you could buy! You wouldn't have to save up or buy again on credit. Do you dream about what you would get if you won the lottery?
There were 2 brothers who were squabbling over the fortune left by their father. One of them asked Jesus to make his brother share it fairly. But Jesus refused to get involved. Instead he gave them a warning:
"Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."
What did he mean? Surely, if you were wealthy then you'd have everything to make you happy - or would you?
Jesus told them a story to explain what he meant, "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!'
"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?'
"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothing."
Jesus has a really important message for us today. First of all, we need not go through life worrying about all the things we need. Second, we shouldn't go round wanting the things other people have - it will only make us miserable!
Jesus was saying more: he explained how we can have a full & satisfying life without having loads of possessions.
He spoke about having a rich relationship with God. You may ask, 'Now how on earth am I supposed to do that?'
When I was 18, I experienced what Jesus was on about! Up till then, I'd wanted more & more things to make me happy. But I only grew more dissatisfied with life. My life was empty and without purpose. Life seemed meaningless.
I thought, 'There must be more to life than this!'
Then I read that Jesus came to give us an abundant life. He taught that we can only experience this new life when we become friends with God, our Creator!
Well, I certainly wasn't a 'friend of God', in fact, I was very opposed to God having anything to do with my life! I thought that would be quite boring - loads of things I wouldn't be allowed to do.
But I was completely wrong. When I started reading about the life of Jesus I discovered an amazing man with an incredible message! He was no stuffy religious type - he was revolutionary! His message to me (and to you, I suspect) was blunt:
I had to perform a total U-turn, a change from living just to please myself. I had to put my trust in him & follow him all my life. If I didn't do that then, at the end of my life, I'd be sent to hell - forever!
I read that Jesus died for me on a cross so I didn't have to be punished in hell. God loved me that much! And that's not all - Jesus rose again from death and is alive now!
It appeared I had to give up everything to follow Jesus. But a wonderful thing happened to me: I was once dissatisfied but now I am satisfied with all God has given to me. In his mercy & kindness, he has forgiven me and given me new life - an abundant life! I have received far more than I could ever give to God. And all I had to give up was a proud, selfish & empty life!
Money? Possessions? Fame? or whatever the world has to offer you? - it's no match for the life you will have when you follow Jesus! In this life - and the next!
As Jesus once said: "How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?"
Pray, asking God's forgiveness and receive Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.
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