True Riches!

He was an upstate New Yorker, rich in every way. His estate was worth millions. He owned houses, land, antiques and cattle. Outwardly he had it all! Inside his heart, there was a sadness. His wife was aging and the couple was childless. He always wanted a little boy to carry on the family legacy.

One day, they felt is was a miracle, his wife became pregnant in her later years. He was excited beyond words. She gave birth to a little boy, but the boy was severely handicapped. It made no difference to the father as he loved that little boy with his whole heart.

When the boy was 5, the mother passed away. The dad grew closer to his special son. At the age of 13, the boy's physical handicaps cost him his life. The father was crushed beyond words and in a matter of months, he passed away from a broken heart.

The man's estate was auctioned off before hundreds of bidders. The first item offered was a painting of the little boy. No one bid. The place was like vultures, waiting for the rich items they could get for as little as possible. People were waiting, calling out to get on with it. The painting of the boy was offered one more time, no one bid. Finally, the housemaid, who had helped take care of the boy offered $5 for the painting and easily took the bid. As the auctioneer handed the painting to the housemaid, he ripped a handwritten note from the back of the painting. It was the man's will! This is what it said: "To the person who thinks enough of my son to buy this painting, to this person I give my entire estate." The auction was over! The greedy crowd was in shock and dismay.

As I read such stories, it makes me think how many of us are running after riches, pleasures and all this world has to offer, never realizing that all the riches of God are placed in His Son. Many who seek after the world's riches and pleasures will forfeit their souls, while those who seek the Lord and His Son find riches beyond description. If we will seek after God and His ways, He is prepared to give us His entire estate, that this whole universe cannot hold. They are found in His Son. In Luke 12:19-21, Jesus describes a person who has the world's goods but is not rich toward God. We might need to take inventory and heed. How's your relationship to Jesus?