Okay, so I know the title is a bit strong but I wanted to get your
attention. I’ve been wanting to write this blog for a while now but
wasn’t sure if it would get misunderstood, but I’m going to take that
chance. Before you get offended, hear me out and then draw your own
conclusions.
One day, my husband and I met a lady in the market who had previously
said that she’d had financial problems. However, since then, she had
gotten a job. My husband invited her to the Monday meeting at the UCKG
and she smiled sweetly and said “Oh, I now have everything that I need. I
have enough for me and my family so we are happy thank you.”
I’m not criticising this lady as she didn’t know any better but I
couldn’t help feeling sad and angry at the way many people think when it
comes to money. I’ve heard many people say, even Christians, that as
long as they have enough to get by, they are happy and that they
shouldn’t be greedy, afterall, “there are many people so much worse off
than them,” although I'm sure that if someone offered them a million
pounds they wouldn't hesitate to take it.
Okay, you may have enough for you and your family but just think
about what you could do if you had more. Think of all the others out
there that could benefit from your wealth. Think of how many good and
worthwhile projects you could contribute to.
And there's another thing. People take
notice of prosperous people. They
listen
to what they have to say. Have you ever taken advice from a beggar on
the street or even been interested in what he/she had to say? Be honest.
Cruel? But it’s true isn’t it? Now turn that around. If you met someone
that was rich and successful, wouldn’t you be interested in them?
Wouldn’t you want to know more about them and the way they think and
what took them where they are today?
Imagine yourself as a successful, rich Christian. When you talk,
people will listen, when you tell them about the foundation of your
success, they won’t be able to deny that it’s true, when the church is
in need of something to further God’s work, you will have no problem to
sponsor it. Imagine the possibilities. Imagine how much you could do! On
the other hand, if you wanted that kind of life to show off, or to
indulge in your riches without a second thought for anyone else, then
you’d have it all wrong. Of course, God wants you to have the best of
everything, but He also expects you to use what He has enabled you to
have, to help and save others.
One day, I really understood this. My husband and I were in our early
twenties and were blessed. We had really good jobs and always had
offerings to give, owned a three bedroom house and were going on 2 or 3
luxury holidays a year. On one holiday, we were even asked how a couple
so young could afford such a holiday. We were comfortable. But one day, I
realised that it wasn’t just about us and that our lives should make an
impact. So I started aiming higher, although deep down, I really wanted
to do God’s work, but in the meantime I was going to go higher. It’s
funny because when I took a step towards that, I was invited to work in
the church as an employee, but that’s another story for another blog.
So you see friend, it’s never good for us to remain happy in our own
little bubble, only thinking of ourselves. Perhaps when a Campaign of
Israel comes along, you don’t even think that you need to take part. You
say to yourself, well, I don’t have any serious problems to solve
anymore and I am happy with my life. Spiritual life is good, family is
getting along, good health, all is well. But answer this, can people
really see God in the
whole of your life? If you opened your mouth to speak about Him, would people sit up and take notice?
A Hungarian writer explained the existence of the invisible God using a great analogy:
