Rich Young Ruler? Over-rated.

Today, I was in church, like I always am on Sunday mornings, unless I'm sick, and I was listening to the sermon about the rich, young ruler. And it struck me a little different. I've heard the story a million times, but this time I heard something else. The preacher talked about how when this guy who had everything came up to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to follow Him. After the ten commandments, Jesus tells this man to sell everything he posesses. The preacher said that he was sure that as this guy was walking away, he was slumped in grief. That he was thinking, "That's the one thing I can't do." Of course, Jesus then goes on to say how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. It was then that it struck me. I don't want to be a rich young ruler. I would rather have just enough to take care of everything and be humble and content with what I have, than have everything I could have ever dreamed about dreaming about wanting and never be content or worse, lose my soul.

I grew up in a family that had plenty. I was never left wanting. Sure, I didn't think of us as rich, but others did. Now that I live on my own and know what it's like to have to pay bills and wonder if there is going to be enough for everything, I realize that we had it good. My parents and sister still do. But I also realized, I don't want to just be scraping by, but I also don't want to feel like I have more money than I could possibly do anything with. There's a happy medium in there, and I'm determined to find it.

If I do become a best-selling author someday and I am earning bundles and bundles of money, I'm going to find a good use for it. And it's not going to be on some big house or a cooler car or nicer clothes, ect. It's going to go to someone else who needs it more than I do. Who has kids that need new clothes or someone who might be a little short on money to pay the bills and feed themselves that month. I am determined to live in a house just big enough and be content with the blessing God sends my way. Never do I want to be a rich, young ruler.

Keep on keeping on,

Elisabeth