“Most content I’ve been is when I had nothing but the clothes in my car and my car - working & living with the poor. Go to Nicaragua or Haiti - the poorest of the USA are rich compared to them.”
Yes, I agree. I’ve had no interest in attaining a lot of wealth in life. I’ve been satisfied with little places and not having “much,” and putting whatever I have towards God’s service.
It’s like with 9/11. As human beings, we are heading for an eternal 9/11 — Hell. If that’s been revealed to you, and you’ve been saved from that, from being trapped in those burning buildings, then it’s your mission after being saved to try to do what you can to keep people from going in those buildings, or to convince those who can be to get out of them.
Being low-income here, though, I will add this comment. The poor here are both poor and rich (thinking here of Proverbs 30). True debilitating poverty in some ways, and of course riches in others. I think middle class people can get a sense of how there can be some of both at the same time.
I agree with these sentiments. Material goods can be a both a trap and a tremendous drag on your time and energy. The old term or “the rat race” seldom seen today, comes to mind.
I did not realize this clearly when I was younger…as I did not realize the true nature of our created universe and the true nature of life here on Earth. It comes with age…unless you are fortunately perceptive and have had a solid Biblical upbringing. We even see the phenomenon of “downsizing” everywhere around us and yet don’t quite grasp the principle behind those actions, a principle that was as true in our youth as it was when our own children left the nest.
James says “the poor are rich in faith.” I never cease to be amazed at the faith of the truly poor when I am among them. But then, why not? They have nothing else.
We however have untold material riches to distract us, hold our focus and attention.....indeed, demand our attention. Just think of maintaining an older vehicle - like most of mine. When they are broken, we become their slaves to get them fixed.
Those without vehicles have no such burdens, and are truly free to focus their faith on believing God.
Their faith is sweet indeed.