July 8, 2008
If
you would have asked me several years ago what plan and future I had in mind as
far as the ministry and my personal life was concerned I could have given you a
list, that doesn’t include any of what I’m doing today.
If
you would have told me I would be married to a Filipina and adopting the
Philippines as a second home and people, a raised eye-brow and questioning look
would have been in order.
Not
having been to the Philippines yet, my experience there consisted of old movies,
television documentaries and National Geographic magazines. What I didn't
already "know" helped in seeing it in the photos and experiences of
someone who had already been there.
There
is nothing like seeing things through your own eyes and what I encountered there
broke my heart as well as touched a part of me that God had purposed from the
beginning to move me to bring the word of God and help to these people.
I
saw houses built over the ocean made of cardboard, tin and whatever could be
picked up and made into shelter. I saw the lack of available drinking water. I
saw the lack of adequate infrastructure. I saw hungry and naked children. 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 bedroom was too small but
I saw a house where seven people lived that is smaller than my room and they
were blessed to have it.
As
I looked through the closet for clothes to wear this morning I 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 Philippine villages and children on
the street have one pair of sandals or none at all.
I'm
rich beyond belief by the standards of how most of the people of the world live.
Almost anyone in North America is wealthy beyond measure. Even the homeless I
minister to have more to eat than some of the people and children 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 am glad we have a child sponsorship program and contribute to
insurance for the kids. 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 and you are!
So
I ask,
“What
can you give to those that aren’t?”
Darrel
Mason