A magazine article recently described the shopping
spree of a extremely rich man buying gifts for his family.
Among the things he bought were nineteen Cadillacs, for
which he paid extra to have them lengthened. Then he
purchased two Porsches and six Mercedes, a $40,000 speedboat
and a truck to haul it in, sixteen refrigerators and a stack
of luggage. For good measure he added two Florida
grapefruit trees, two reclining chairs and a slot machine.
The total bill was $1,500,000 -- plus $194,000 to have it
all delivered.
There are only a few people in the world as rich, or
richer, than that man. When they give gifts, they can
afford to give the best.
But all their possessions combined are nothing compared
to the vast wealth owned by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus is the Creator of the Universe. He said a word
and galaxies were born. "For by Him were all things
created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth...all
things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16)
Christ is rich in power and position for He said, "All
authority is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth."(Matthew
28:18) He knows that true riches -- love, joy, peace --
cannot be purchased with a credit card or check. God knew
that no amount of material wealth could raise man out of his
spiritual poverty. So almost 2,000 years ago He gave the
best gift. God sent His Son to be our Savior.
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,
though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that
ye through His poverty might be rich." (Corinthians 8:9)
"He became poor." While Jesus was on earth, He was
poor in possessions for He had no real home. Even the tomb
in which His followers laid His body was borrowed.
But more than that, Jesus Christ, the Creator of the
Universe, took on the form and limitations of His creatures.
He became poor in position, The first became last; the
Sovereign became the Servant. (Philippians 2:7) Lepers
came to Him and were made clean; the blind asked for sight
and received it. Harlots came to His feet and were
forgiven.
But Jesus' greatest sacrifice was when He gave His
life on the Cross for you and me. Salvation for our sins
cost us nothing; it cost Him everything.
How can Jesus make you rich? By giving you Himself.
When you receive the Savior, you have forgiveness of sins
because of His death for you. (Colossians 1:14) Because He
was raised from the dead and now sits at the Father's right
hand in Heaven, He gives you eternal life and you are
adopted into God's family. (John 5:24) By God's grace you
become a "joint heir" with Christ. (Romans 8:17) And daily
He Gives you power for living. (Philippians 4:13)
God gave the very best. Are you spiritually poor? You
can be rich. The Bible says" If thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
(Romans 10:9) Receive Him and the Riches He died to give you
can be yours. -- Robin Sheffield
** Good News BBS (313) 459-8375 **