THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Stan Edmunds was an inspector for a local government agency. He was inspecting a house for a real estate agent when he found $20,000 tucked way back in the drawer of a chest.
Stan could have kept the money. No one knew about it. But Stan turned it into the real estate agent and they eventually found the owner.
Stan received $50 as a reward for his integrity. He promptly donated that to charity.
There's no "punch line;" just an example from an honest man who didn't let money rule him.
(Uncle John's Ahhh-Inspiring Reader, Ashland, OR
Bathroom Readers' Press, 2002; p56)
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Matt 19:16-22
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
(KJV)
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One cannot help but notice the difference in the two stories. Stan Edmunds had the money, which he could have kept - but he didn't. The young man in the Bible story had money, and it kept him from surrendering to Christ.
The rich young man in the Bible story could not be faulted for having riches. God is the Owner of all things, and He alone decides who has much and who has little.
The rich young man in the Bible story could not be faulted for his manner of living. He led a "good" life by keeping the commandments.
However, there was a "lacking" in his soul; and he KNEW it! The thing he lacked in his soul was that relationship with Christ that says, "I give up. I'm no longer my own person, I belong to YOU!"
Why do so many people go "away sorrowful" when the greatest joy of life is to surrender to Christ?
Love ya,
Bruce
mcge3582@bellsouth.net
http://www.linktojesus.org
A man is known by what owns him.