Dr. John Watson, calling on a man who had suffered financial reverses, found him crushed by his losses. “Everything is gone!” he exclaimed.
“What?” said Dr. Watson. “I’m sorry to hear that your wife is dead.”
The man looked up in alarm. “My wife?”
“I’m doubly grieved to hear that you have also lost your character!” continued the brother. He then named one valuable asset after another, till at last the man could stand it no longer and protested that all of these things still remained.
“But I thought you said you lost everything!” Then in a tone of mild rebuke, he exhorted, “Brother, come to your senses! You’ve lost none of the things that are worthwhile!”
The man suddenly realized that he was still supremely blessed and rich toward God (Luke 12:2121So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:21)). It has been said that money will buy a bed, but not sleep; books, but not brains; food, but not appetite; house, but not a home; medicine, but not health; sin’s pleasures, but not salvation’s peace.
Many, after losing their wealth, have discovered that godliness with contentment is great gain. They are richer than they thought! Better to be a poor man and a rich Christian than to be a rich man and a poor Christian.
N. Hiebert (Gems From My Reading)