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We and our Wealth

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which

ministered unto him of their substance (Luke 8:3 KJV)

There was a news item in The Hindu dated 05.8.2010 : More than 30 American billionaires pledged to give away at least half of their fortunes to charitable causes, signing up to acampaign launched by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates.

It is happy and a welcome news. Because, today governments in the world are unable to managethe problems faced by people. Even though there are causes like corruption, unemployment,absence of long term plans, wars, terrorism, epidemic diseases, natural disasters, drought, etc.,the fact is that the world today is struggling to meet the challenges posed by ever increasing

population and governments the world over have utterly failed to rise up to the occasion. In this

scenario, the effort of such philanthropists is praiseworthy.

At the same time, it is also a fact that, these crorepatis (millionaires) are going to spend their fortunes to meet the physical needs of a particular people in the areas of education, medical,

preservation of resources & ecosystem, health, poverty alleviation and so on and so forth.

The Lord Jesus Christ is more concerned for a mans spiritual needs than meeting his physicalneeds. The Bible has many references to support this fact. For example, in Luke Chapter 17, wesee Jesus, though happy about the only man who had returned to thank Him, he was worriedabout the other nine who were also cured of their disease but never bothered to return. While theman who had come back to Him got the spiritual blessing of Salvation, the others went away

satisfied with mere physical blessing.

In another place at Luke Chapter 12, we here Jesus ridiculing a rich man who was rejoicing over his accumulation of grain to be used for many years. He called him a fool. "For what does it

benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life (soul)? Or what can a person givein exchange for his life (soul)?" (Matt. 16:26). Even if the things which are much talked of todaywith concern, such as basic and other social welfare needs, are fulfilled, the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever: their spiritual redemption is rare; it is never

possible (Ps. 49:9).

As seen above, mans physical needs may be met by governments and millionaires. But, the

spiritual needs or redemption can never be met by them. Because, "neither is there salvation inany other: for there is none other name (except the Name of Jesus Christ) under heaven givenamong men, whereby we must be saved (Act. 4:12).

The Lord Jesus Christ can meet both physical as well as spiritual needs of a man. Since Heknows a mans needs, He is able to help him like a father helps his son and even more than that.If so, it is necessary for us to accept Him as our Father. It is very easy. The Scripture says : "asmany as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name" (John 1:12). "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith"(Gal.3:26).

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Therefore, a man first believes in Jesus and worships his Name. This is how he receives salvationfor his soul. Once he receives this precious salvation, he can fulfill both his spiritual and

physical needs. This way one can, "above all pursue His kingdom and righteousness, and allthese things will be given to us as well" (Matt.6:33). Moreover, Everyone who believes in Himwill not be put to shame. and "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"

(Rom. 10:11,13).

Hence, while it is essential that mans temporary physical needs are to be met through socialwelfare measures and governments, more than that, he needs the eternal blessings of Salvationwhich no one can give except the Lord Jesus Christ.

For those of us who are enjoying the blessing of Salvation, it is both necessary and responsibilityto pray, help and work for them who have not entered into this blessing.

One of the 30 millionaires referred above and Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg saidwhile pledging to give away his wealth to a social cause thus : By giving, we inspire others to

give of themselves, whether their money or their time.

According to Bloomberg, giving brings two kinds of blessings. Apart from helping socialcauses and ministries, it inspires those who are unable to or on the verge of taking a decisionwith regard to 'giving'.