Tuesday, October 29, 2013

When others prosper!!

Be Happy When Others Prosper
courtesy photobucket.com
  

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Psalm 35:27:

27. Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."
 
Although everyone is called to be generous, you should be especially so if you are wealthy.  Do not be embarrassed by your wealth, but remember it is NOT your money.  As a good steward, use it to bless others.
 
(1 Timothy 6:17-19). Command those who are rich ... 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
 
Years ago, we had a new Pastor at our church and he drove a Cadillac automobile.  He told us the story of how God gave him this luxurious car.
 
Needing an automobile, he was scanning the want ads in the local paper when he saw a car advertised for ONE dollar.  Answering the ad, he found a wife who was very unhappy with her husband. 

He was divorcing her and in the settlement he was to receive the money from the sale of his beautiful Cadillac.  For spite the wife was selling his prize possession for one dollar.

Quickly our pastor gave her the dollar bill and she signed over the papers to him. 
 
I was always happy to see him drive to church in his lovely car.
 
No one in our church begrudged our Pastor for enjoying his awesome automobile.
 
I know of some ministers who live in very nice homes, and use their profits from book sales to pay for their life style and do not take money from the church or ministry for luxuies.   We must be careful NOT to judge ministers who enjoy nice things.
 
Before we judge another Christian, it would be good to hear the other side of the  story.
 

 
 

3 comments:

Terra said...

Christians are often very generous people, like C.S. Lewis and Rick Warren and many of us sitting in the pews too. I agree with you.

Floyd said...

I love the perspective, Hazel. It takes a mature person in Christ to be genuinely happy for the prosperity of others... and a great reminder that we have all we need in Him and He never fails to supply our provision.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing story of God's provision for your pastor. It made me chuckle. Poor unsuspecting husband though!