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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #922 October 1, 2003 Riches On Sunday afternoon, we attended a presentation by a family friend who just recently completed a nine week medical mission in rural Kenya. He has a passion for missions (having been on nine trips, including at least two to Kenya) and we learned a lot from His presentation. Not having been to Africa yet, my experience there consists of corny old movies, television documentaries and National Geographic magazines. I didn't see much in his presentation that I didn't already "know" but seeing it in the photos of someone I knew personally somehow made it strike home harder. I saw the lack of available drinking water. I saw the lack of adequate infrastructure. The roads were bad or non-existent and hospital facilities inadequate. I saw poverty on a level I have never been confronted with before. I started to realize how rich I am. I don't have to miss meals (in fact in my case I could stand to miss a few). I have a warm solid house over my head with heat, electricity and running water. I've always thought my office too small but I saw a house where seven people lived that is smaller than my office and they were blessed to have it. I walked through our front entranceway this morning and saw more shoes than I could count. There are works shoes, casual shoes, athletic shoes, sandals and winter boots. Most of the people in the Kenyan villages had one pair of sandals at the most. I'm rich beyond belief by the standards of how most of he people of the world live. Almost anyone in North America is wealthy beyond measure. Even the homeless I've met have more to eat than the people of these villages. If you live in North America, you are rich. Scripture has something to say to those of us who are rich. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV These words aren't designed to make us feel guilty. They are designed to point us in the direction of eternal rewards. Reading those words, I was glad we recently fostered a child overseas. It's a small start, and there are other areas we give to regularly. Now I have to pray on what else we're called to do. At the very least, it's time to stop griping about how rough we have it. I'm also rich in a more incredible way than money or things can ever buy. as a Christian God's grace is lavished on me. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV I'm materially wealthy compared to 80% of the world and I'm eternally wealthy because of the grace of God. Until next time, if we meet, know that I might just follow the command given to Timothy and ask if you're rich and what you're doing with that wealth. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are lavished with the richness of His grace. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you. HELP FOR THE HURTING I don't know your personal circumstances, but I do know there is one way to be rich beyond all measure for eternity. It's better than material wealth, it is the love, forgiveness, peace, hope and joy that comes from being a follower of Jesus Christ. Will you open your heart to His gift of spiritual wealth today? You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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