I'm Not Participating.

I'm loaded. It's official. I'm the 51,263,593 richest person on earth! How rich are you? >>

Yesterday in church I got an awakening that I've been needing to have for awhile. I'm rich. Ridiculously rich. And so are you. In fact I doubt I know a single person who is not within the top 5% of the richest people in the world. Is it bad to be rich? It is if you never think you have enough. If all your life your only motivation is to get more and more. If you're hoarding all you have and not being a blessing to those in need. Or if you're replacing God with money by trusting in your money more than God who has given you every drop of what you have. Being rich is not a sin. It's not a bad thing at all. It's a gift and a blessing if you stop to actually be thankful and realize that you're rich. I'm so embarrassed that I've been crying and moaning over all the commission I've lost this year. Even with the loss, I'm still within the top 1% of the richest people in the world. So there is no need for crying or stress or worry. I'm no longer participating in this so-called recession, or the fear, or the crazy save-save-save/keep-keep-keep mentality. So far this year I have learned more responsible spending and saving. I have learned that there are luxuries that I don't need. And I'm very thankful for those lessons. But because I'm already rich and have far more than I need, I'm going to be looking for every way that I can to be a blessing to others. I don't have to worry whether I have enough food to eat or clothes to wear or a place to live. Those are issues that millions of people in the world face everyday. I have a job. I have wonderful friends and family. I really have it made. When I wake up in the morning from now on, I'll wake up realizing that I'm so rich. I can't wait to find ways to bless others. And what a different perspective it gives me. Thanks be to God who has so overwhelmingly provided.

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As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
—1 Timothy 6:17-19