My Learning Today – 15th August : LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF POSSESSIONS

What if everything you’ve worked for suddenly became meaningless?

A few months ago, I read about an African politician whose only son died. To this day, the man has not recovered from the shock.

It was alleged that this 76-year-old politician looted his country during his time in office, opened foreign bank accounts, and did little or nothing to develop the constituency he served. Many wondered why he was so intent on amassing wealth when it was almost certain he would not live another 20 years.

Some speculated that he was building wealth for his only son’s future children. But when that son died, people said it seemed as though his entire world collapsed. Without an heir, all the looting suddenly made no sense.

The Bible describes such a man as the “Rich Fool”. His harvest was so great that year that he tore down his barns to build bigger ones, saying to himself, “Relax, my soul, and be merry, for there is more than enough to last a lifetime.” But he did not know that his life would be taken from him the very next day. Perhaps that abundant food ended up feeding guests at his funeral.

Indeed, the same scripture says, “Money answereth all things”, but if your wealth does not help you make friends, build goodwill, and leave a great legacy, it can be more of a curse than a blessing.

Life consists more in how much we impact others through the gifts we have been given.

How do you use your possessions?

Shalom.

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