Who is Really Rich?

John G Samaan, MBA, M Div.

Today in America, we are seeing a new love affair with huge houses. As the family size is shrinking, the size of new houses is increasing. These homes start at around 4,000 square feet. If you want to keep up with the current trend, a 2,500 square feet home will not do. Who is moving into these vast spaces? Surprisingly, “empty-nesters”—folks between the ages of 55 to 65—are the prime buyers.

We are consumed with consuming. We want to have the fastest, the costliest, the coolest and the newest. But the next time we reach for our credit cards or our checkbooks, we need to ask ourselves, “Where is my treasure?” Let us remember that most of the things we buy end up consuming our precious time and often possess us. Junkyards bring us an alarming message. They are full of possessions that people worked hard for and sacrificed to buy. Now those things are mere junk that is thrown away.

The richest people in this world are people who are rich toward God and follow the steps of Jesus in bringing hope to people’s lives. The truly rich are found serving among the poor, blessing the sick in hospitals, befriending the lonely, hugging people with leprosy, sharing with others the blessings that God has given them. The God of the Bible is a compassionate God who provides richly. We have access to the source of the true treasures of life, God’s grace and love. By God’s grace and love we are all richly blessed.

When we experience the death of someone we love, it often helps us to put our lives into perspective. Confronting death opens our eyes to ordering our priorities and sorting out the things that are really important. We are able to see clearly what should be the focus of our lives, where we should put our attention and effort. Death helps us to answer the important question, “How can we be rich toward God—living life in such a way as to honor God, other people, and ourselves?”

How many of us have thought, “When we have the time, we will do more for God; spend more quality time with our family and friends; do more to help people in need; share the Good News with others; give more of our money, talents and time to make a difference in this world?”

But not now. The bills have to be paid, the house needs to be remodeled, more barns need to be built, and the list goes on and on. Have you noticed that often the most important things in life get neglected? We find it easy to postpone developing healthy relationships, reaching out to people in need, and being rich toward God.

For what do we want to be remembered? Jesus is reminding us that our lives are made for much more than building bigger barns. We may not have tomorrow. It is not guaranteed. We only have today.

Who is Really Rich?

John G Samaan, MBA, M Div.

Today in America, we are seeing a new love affair with huge houses. As the family size is shrinking, the size of new houses is increasing. These homes start at around 4,000 square feet. If you want to keep up with the current trend, a 2,500 square feet home will not do. Who is moving into these vast spaces? Surprisingly, “empty-nesters”—folks between the ages of 55 to 65—are the prime buyers.

We are consumed with consuming. We want to have the fastest, the costliest, the coolest and the newest. But the next time we reach for our credit cards or our checkbooks, we need to ask ourselves, “Where is my treasure?” Let us remember that most of the things we buy end up consuming our precious time and often possess us. Junkyards bring us an alarming message. They are full of possessions that people worked hard for and sacrificed to buy. Now those things are mere junk that is thrown away.

The richest people in this world are people who are rich toward God and follow the steps of Jesus in bringing hope to people’s lives. The truly rich are found serving among the poor, blessing the sick in hospitals, befriending the lonely, hugging people with leprosy, sharing with others the blessings that God has given them. The God of the Bible is a compassionate God who provides richly. We have access to the source of the true treasures of life, God’s grace and love. By God’s grace and love we are all richly blessed.

When we experience the death of someone we love, it often helps us to put our lives into perspective. Confronting death opens our eyes to ordering our priorities and sorting out the things that are really important. We are able to see clearly what should be the focus of our lives, where we should put our attention and effort. Death helps us to answer the important question, “How can we be rich toward God—living life in such a way as to honor God, other people, and ourselves?”

How many of us have thought, “When we have the time, we will do more for God; spend more quality time with our family and friends; do more to help people in need; share the Good News with others; give more of our money, talents and time to make a difference in this world?”

But not now. The bills have to be paid, the house needs to be remodeled, more barns need to be built, and the list goes on and on. Have you noticed that often the most important things in life get neglected? We find it easy to postpone developing healthy relationships, reaching out to people in need, and being rich toward God.

For what do we want to be remembered? Jesus is reminding us that our lives are made for much more than building bigger barns. We may not have tomorrow. It is not guaranteed. We only have today.