ILLUSIONS

One Of Life’s Illusions

Recently an individual relaxed in the lobby of one of Asia’s loveliest hotels located in a country classified as “Third World.” As chauffeured Mercedes and Jaguars cruised to the entrance, the beautiful and the privileged alighted to the gracious welcome of white-gloved hotel personnel.

Later, as this individual was being chauffeured to the airport in an air conditioned automobile, he gazed out the window and noticed a bent over old man, cane in hand, laboring under the blaring sun as he shouldered a heavy backpack up a steep series of steps that would eventually take him across the highway upon which he was traveling.

He could not help but think, “What inequity! How unfair! Why the disparity?”

..Until he recalled Jesus’ teaching:

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.  (Matt 19:30)

* He thought about the parable of the rich man and Lazarus: In eternity the fellow previously living in poverty and sickness on earth now enjoys heaven’s bliss with Abraham, while the rich man now languishes in Hell. See(Luke 16:19-31)

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (Rev 3:17)

As you and I enjoy His bounty in our “island” of affluence, surrounded by the world’s impoverished, it behooves us to remember that,

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  (Luke 12:48)

May God help us amidst our “illusion” of prosperity to maintain an eternal perspective as to the true riches, and of the responsibility that comes with this privilege.