Friday, January 18, 2008

Are You Rich?


Every day you hear and read of more Christians who are persecuted. Anytime you want to feel sorry for yourself and get anxious about the cares and worries of this life, just pop over to the Voice of the Martyrs site and read about what's going on around the world. Many dear saints live in huts and have to work hard in fields from morning until night for a meal of rice and beans. Some struggle with disease, tumults, and calamities. If anytime you stress over some lack or wish for something that you can't afford of this world's many goods, or struggle with a broken appliance or a physical affirmity or some petty grievance, try looking around the World Vision site for awhile. Some of us are, indeed, going through extremely difficult circumstances or life threatening illnesses ourselves. For all Christians here and abroad, under whatever condition of life, and without regard to their financial situation, I would say that if they are true saints, they are rich. This is a quote that I wish I could give to every suffering saint in the world to remind them of their true state of wealth:

When can it be said of a man, that he is rich towards God? Never till he is rich in grace, and rich in faith, and rich in good works! Never till he has applied to Jesus Christ, and bought of him gold tried in the fire. (Rev. 3:18) Never till he has a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens! Never till he has a name inscribed in the book of life, and is an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ! Such a man is truly rich. His teasure is incorruptible. His bank never breaks. His inheritance fadeth not away. Man cannot deprive him of it. Death cannot snatch it out of his hands. All things are his already,--life, death, things present, and things to come. (I Cor. 3:23) And best of all, what he has now is nothing to what he will have hereafter. ~ J.C. Ryle

Any sinner who repents and believes the gospel, trusting the Lord Jesus as Savior, can have these riches. So, are you rich?

11 comments:

Susan said...

Hi Maxine,

Oh, this was so good, and the quote was just incredible. I will save this.

Blessings to you.

Stay warm!

Vicki said...

Beautiful reflection. Something that will help us all today. And yes, I'm rich in Christ, and nothing else really matters all that much.

Loved the J.C. Ryle quote!

Jodi said...

Oh, yes! Rich in the grace of God!

(Hubby and I are reading a J.C. Ryle's book in preparation to use it for family devotions.)

~~Deby said...

Maxine...
You are so right...we have it soo good..even in the rough times..
Deby

Beverly said...

Yes! Richer then I can describe!!

Kathy said...

Thanks for your faithfulness, Maxine. Great post.

Mimi said...

it is so wonderful to know that we are rich in the grace of god and no man can take it away from us!!!

Cathy said...

Yes, I am rich and blessed beyond measure. Thank you for that wonderful post.

Susan said...

Hey Maxine,

Just stopping by to let you know I tagged you for a fun meme.

Hope you can participate!

Blessings to you.

sparrow's song said...

Well said! I am richer than I appreciate or know to appreciate.

You've quoted this gentlemen, J.C. Ryle, many times. So I've ordered a book written by him.

Maxine said...

I am so happy to have so many wealthy friends.
Sparrow, you won't be sorry you ordered that book.