February 27, 2006

• Today I met with an older Korean man who was interested in understanding what led me to come here and volunteer at the orphanage.  He is a successful government worker that attends church and has been all over the world.  He can speak English and Russian along with his native Korean. 

  
  

  He was encouraged by my stories and even more by my willingness to come in my young age to serve at an orphanage.  He said he had volunteered when he was younger too and reached out to the poor... but he said once he started working and making money, the volunteering gradually stopped.  He said this with a straight face, like it was simply expected.  There simply was less and less time for the Lord's work. 

  
  

  He told me he hoped I would stay with my vision and continue with the orphanage.  But then he would also tell me about the benefits of learning Korean and my traveling and would trail off in thinking about how it would benefit me in getting a great job in the future.  I noticed that he couldn't get the thought of money off his mind.

  
  

  1Timothy 6:6 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."  1Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 

  
  

  So what do we do folks?  How do we avoid the trap of falling into the "need for money?"  I'd like to hear quick comments from those who have jobs but honestly feel free from the oppression money can bring.  How do you avoid becoming like the rich young man that is "doing everything right" but in fact can't let go of what he truly holds dear, which is his money and possessions?  Share some advice with us, please.  I'll post again on this in a couple days.

  • 8:53 am
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