“Jesus died and rose again
to make you rich.”
In 1848 a young struggling family of four immigrated from Scotland to the United States. Andy, who was 13 years old, jumped right in to help his financially strapped family. His parents let him get a job at a cotton mill for $1.20 a week, which is equivalent to $48 a week in today’s numbers. Andy worked hard and eventually moved onto a local telegraph company, and then to the railroad. He excelled there and was promoted to supervisor by the time he was 24. One day an opportunity came to financially invest in the railroad, which proved to be profitable and launched him into the world of investing and business. One of those businesses was steel, and in 1873, while not yet 40 years old, he organized a new company, which soon became the largest steel company in the world. Then in 1901 Andrew Carnegie sold his business, which made him the world’s richest man. (Image from Pixabay)
Can a poor man become rich? You bet! Mr. Carnegie is an example of that, but what kind of wealth am I really talking about?
Jesus once told a story about two polar opposite men. “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’” (Luke 16:9-25)
The story is meant to illustrate spiritual and moral truths. Jesus is not communicating how all wealthy people are oppressors, and how all poor are the oppressed, nor is He promoting the division of society into economic classes. Rather, one of the truths Jesus is teaching is how the rich man is a picture of mankind without God.
The rich man was only focused on his life, giving no thought about God or life beyond the grave. He was selfish, giving no consideration to the needs of the poor man. He was also prideful, exalting himself over the destitute man. Are you like the rich man, only living for this life, selfish and prideful? When one lives without God, these are the attitudes of his life. What happened when the rich man died? He instantly found himself in hell. When a person dies without God, they are separated from Him and all His goodness forever. While the rich man lived, he had all this world could offer him, but upon death, he was condemned to eternal poverty.
How can one truly become rich; that is rich in the things of eternal value? Simple. Have the spirit of the poor man, for he exhibited an attitude of humility and dependency upon God for all his needs. Then upon his death, he entered into the riches and glory of heaven for all eternity.
Jesus died and rose again to make you rich. For when you turn from your sinful ways and place your faith in Christ, then you will possess Him. And when His Spirit is in you, you become one of the wealthiest people on earth. For to possess Jesus, is to possess all the treasures of heaven.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray that people will examine their hearts to see if they have the heart of the rich man. Then bring each one to turn from their selfish and prideful ways, and turn to Jesus. And fill them with the Spirit of Christ, that they may become eternally rich in the things of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Can a poor man become rich? You bet! Mr. Carnegie is an example of that, but what kind of wealth am I really talking about?
Jesus once told a story about two polar opposite men. “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’” (Luke 16:9-25)
The story is meant to illustrate spiritual and moral truths. Jesus is not communicating how all wealthy people are oppressors, and how all poor are the oppressed, nor is He promoting the division of society into economic classes. Rather, one of the truths Jesus is teaching is how the rich man is a picture of mankind without God.
The rich man was only focused on his life, giving no thought about God or life beyond the grave. He was selfish, giving no consideration to the needs of the poor man. He was also prideful, exalting himself over the destitute man. Are you like the rich man, only living for this life, selfish and prideful? When one lives without God, these are the attitudes of his life. What happened when the rich man died? He instantly found himself in hell. When a person dies without God, they are separated from Him and all His goodness forever. While the rich man lived, he had all this world could offer him, but upon death, he was condemned to eternal poverty.
How can one truly become rich; that is rich in the things of eternal value? Simple. Have the spirit of the poor man, for he exhibited an attitude of humility and dependency upon God for all his needs. Then upon his death, he entered into the riches and glory of heaven for all eternity.
Jesus died and rose again to make you rich. For when you turn from your sinful ways and place your faith in Christ, then you will possess Him. And when His Spirit is in you, you become one of the wealthiest people on earth. For to possess Jesus, is to possess all the treasures of heaven.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray that people will examine their hearts to see if they have the heart of the rich man. Then bring each one to turn from their selfish and prideful ways, and turn to Jesus. And fill them with the Spirit of Christ, that they may become eternally rich in the things of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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