Frivolity Of Prosperity

Frivolity of prosperity!

1 Timothy 6:17”…. Do not set your hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

Five year old Krishna of our Abide School, holds on to coins really, really tight; I saw him this morning during the school assembly with closed fists doing the exercise with utmost ease, when I opened his tight fingers I saw five coins inside – absolutely intact! He had learnt the knack of holding the coins without letting it slip from young, since his parents who are rag pickers would shut his mouth with coins, whenever he threw tantrums. Now he is addicted to it! Are we any better anyway?

Friend, the moment you step out of the college and get a job, you start hearing voices from all directions: “take a loan and buy a flat, be wise and buy the property now, buy a car for yourself, and so on….” All this is done hastily and greedily but not wisely! I remember a woman who had invited me to pray for her house warming ceremony with elaborate spread of dishes but inside the room she wept and said that she was neck-deep in debts. The outside celebration was just a cheap display! For whom may I ask? Another family had bought a luxury villa on loan and the husband had rushed to the nearby nursery to buy expensive ‘readymade grass’ the day before the ceremony to decorate his garden. For whom may I ask? Incidentally, the moment the celebration was over, there was a huge fight inside the new home! I was there in both the cases. Dear friend, pause and think for yourself before you sign the papers for loan, the relatives and friends will leave you after the party – but remember the huge interest and the principal amount that glares at you after that! I say this not to frighten you but to caution you! I don’t know how many of you know that I had worked with a multinational bank before joining the mission field. Caveat!

The most important advice I gave my daughter after she completed her B.Tech and joined a multinational organization is that, ‘never hastily get into a EMI clutch’ be wise before you plan to buy anything, most important I told her, ‘your money belongs to God – every penny, so check with HIM!’ She may not have an apartment in an upscale locality, car, or the latest iphone but you know what, she is debt-free and hassle-free! Hurray! I think this is dignity rather than empty pomp and show! To spend frantically and thoughtlessly is norm today, but to count every penny and be wise is class apart!

Control the urge to spend! Are you listening? Titus 2: 11, 12” the grace of God appeared, not for us to just live aimlessly but …training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

Change in your life should start with your wallet! Are you listening?