Consolation!

Someone has said, “Money may not be everything, but it is a great consolation until you have everything.” [source: calendar quote] That brings to mind a commercial I’ve seen recently on television that states, “I want it all! I want it all! And I want it now!”

What is “consolation”? A consolation is a source of COMFORT. It is an object, recognition, maybe a statement made, or reminder mentioned to console (COMFORT) when disappointment, loss, or a time of sadness is being experienced. However, if money is viewed as a great consolation it should be seen as very limited in its power to truly console. There is much that aids in providing COMFORT that money can never buy.

Note the following list that reveals money’s limitation.
Money can buy a house, but not a home.
Money can buy a bed, but not sleep.
Money can buy a clock, but not time.
Money can buy position, but not respect.
Money can buy a book, but not knowledge.
Money can buy blood, but not life.
Money can buy companions, but not friends.
Money can buy medicine, but not health.
Money can buy insurance, but not safety. [source: bulletin clipping]

Some people have become so set on making a living they have forgotten to make a life. Jesus exhorted toward working for “that which endures to eternal life.” ( John 6:27) True peace, rest, relationships and a sense of homeness cannot be bought. Especially when it comes to relationships, if they are bought they will soon be found to be neither genuine nor lasting. Life must be associated with more than “things”! It is not just the lack of money that can create problems in life, but wealth itself can bring its own challenges. (note Matthew 19:20-26)

Jesus encouraged the disciples who had left all to follow Him by stating…
“(29) And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, WILL RECEIVE A HUNDREDFOLD AND WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.” ( Matthew 19:29 ESV)

Though our greatest reward is yet to come when we go home to be with Jesus, we can still find much COMFORT in Him right now. Each of the things listed above that money cannot buy can be experienced in the fullest sense in the relationship in Christ to a greater degree spiritually than ever can be physically. May we find COMFORT in the fact living for Jesus will certainly prove to be worth it all!

Have a great day KNOWING LIFE’S GREATEST GAINS ARE IN CHRIST!
Carl

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