Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday January 20, 2009

The other day an old friend and I were talking and he asked me, "Larry, do you miss the high flying days?" I surprised him with my answer when I stated: "I understand your question, but after years of giving it thought, my answer is, NO, in caps. Let me tell you why, I like most people at that level did not really have anything, oh, I know the cars, the big house, the Star called it a country estate, and especially the airplanes and the travel time saved; but skipping along at 25,000 feet, thinking where on earth will I get the $5,000 dollar payment tomorrow, plus all of the other costs, took most of the joy out of the style I appeared to enjoy. Would I live at the apparent level again? 'Only if I can walk into the factory at Wichita and pay cash instead of going to the finance department.'"

He looked at me with shock showing in his countenance. But it's true, when you are in debt and live from day to day it doesn't matter whether you need $20 to pay a small utility bill or as I did one Monday morning $350,000 by noon. Any joy derived from the small utility bill or from the 5 or 10,000 payment is lost. In my experienced opinion it just is not worth it.

I often kid folks stating, "I have been rich and I have been poor; I would rather be rich." But I have no desire to appear to be rich and again, I know the difference. I am not against true wealth as I am certain the Bible teaches that it is God who gives the power to get wealth and further that the laborer is worthy of his hire.

Epictetus said it well:

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."

Grieving for things you do not have!! This is not a new idea born within the current or any recent generation. According to the Biblical account of the fall of the human race, grieving for something thought lacking was the catalyst for the very first sin, the intense desire, burning so hot that all restraint was thrown to the weeds and all the pain and woe in the world is here as a direct result. Check it out in the first few chapters of the book of Genesis.

We are told in the Bible to develop a lifestyle conducive to inner peace with one of the principles to be practiced to be content with what you have and NOT grieving over what you do not have.

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

In times like these, old advice, especially from the Bible, is very good.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with Credit.
My new book, Lasting Friendships in 30 Days is ready at:
http://larrylilly.com/30Days.aspx

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