And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matt. 19:29.

A king built a great temple, the most imposing structure in his realm. He lavished both wealth and effort in its construction. He hoped thereby to leave a monument to his own greatness. When the temple was completed, he was angry to find engraved on the foundation the name of an unknown woman instead of his own. As far as he knew she had contributed nothing, except that day after day she had taken pity on the laborers and on the oxen that pulled the wagons. For the love of God and man, she brought them water to drink in the hot sun and a little food to eat from her meager supply.

Christ is no one man's debtor. We are all in debt to Him. Whatever we invest with Him and in His kingdom will be returned again multiplied many times. In blessing His children, Christ uses a large measure, pressed down, running over.

To have much or little may be either an advantage or a disadvantage. It depends on how we use our possessions and what we gain from them in terms of human worth. If we use our wealth and possessions selfishly, then they are a disadvantage to us. We are that much poorer and worse off by halving them. On the other hand, if they lead us to fulfill our lives, if they teach us to be unselfish, if they lead to a greater appreciation of God's goodness, then they are to our advantage.

To have the best and the most in life, we must use our possessions for what is more valuable and enduring. Christ makes us large-hearted. He does not condemn the riches of the world. What matters is the use we make of them. God has given us all things, legitimate things to enjoy. But we do not enjoy them alone.

Wealth is the opportunity for our becoming a more loving, unselfish Christian. Christ's love within us is the guardian of all our wealth. We are secure against all the abuses of riches. In Christ, our possessions are not stumbling blocks but altar stairs, steps to God's throne and to people's lives.