Introduction : It is reported that the richest man in Hong Kong has private property worth about 28 trillion won. It is his own personal property except for what belongs to his company. I wonder if he is as happy as what he possesses. However, I think that if he owned property worth only a trillion won and spent 27 trillion won on establishing foundations for education and public welfare service to help youth to study, relieve the poor, and cure the sick, he would have a far greater amount of fortune in his heart. Since humankind lives in the flesh, the amount of money does not always have something to do with the amount of joy and happiness in a person´s heart.
¢ºSolomon´s lamentation (Ecc 1:2-11; 2:1-11) The richer a country, the higher its suicide rate.
1. My present fortune and happiness 1) Material fortune - movable property and real estate (Pr 23:5, 1Ti 6:17) , - The property of the middle class in Korea 2) Invisible fortune (1) Given in Jesus ¨ç New identity (we find our egos) (Eph 1:17-18) ¨è New self-image (blessed self-image) (Gal 3:13-14) ¨é New status (Eph 1:19, 1Pe 2:9) (2) The Word of God, the Holy Spirit - Faith, hope, love, righteousness, peace, and joy
2. My future fortune (1 Co 15:42-49) 1) How valuable is the resurrection? (1Co 15:42-49) - A spiritual body, a glorious body, an eternal body, and a body in likeness of the image of the Lord (2 Co 3:18, 1Jn 3:2) 2) How much does the house of heavenly glory cost? (Rev 22:1-5, 21:1-5) 3) Happiness as the bride of Jesus
3. I am a rich man in the kingdom of heaven 1) Let us think of ourselves as those who are blessed eternally. (Eph 1:3-4, 2Co 8:9) 2) Let us appreciate invisible, eternal glory. (Ro 5:2, 8:18) 3) Let us share the richness of our hearts. (2 Co 9:8-10) 4) Let us live with joy and thanks as a rich man in the kingdom of heaven. (Ps 23:1-2, 34:10, Mt 25:29)
Conclusion : Always considering the heavenly blessings given by the Lord, we should not be attached to temporary, material things in the world. Instead, we should earn plenty of money and share it, and let our mind overflow with the desire and joy of heaven.
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