Lessons from MH 370

Yesterday I received my bonus.

For the first time in 8 years working with the Bank, my bonus dropped about 10 % points. Although generally all my colleagues suffered the same fate, I was still stunned at the reduction as I thought that I had worked really hard and saved the Bank a lot of money. 

I was grumbling and complaining about this until after I spoke to a non-Christian colleague who said this to me "At least we can still enjoy our bonus...what about those on board MH 370? Even if they had their bonus, they would not be able to enjoy it"

Suddenly I woke up and the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. God had to use a non-Christian to rebuke me about this. Yes, I should be thankful for my bonus. Yes, I am thankful that I am still earning a good pay to support my family of 4 and my mother. Yes, the money that God has blessed me with is being put to good use. Yes, the money is within my power to bless others with it!

Some lessons from MH370 - 

1. Money cannot fill our heart with comfort or love

Ps 62:10 is clear on this "If riches increase, do not set your heart on them"

The heart is always seeking a home, a refuge. Money is not its home nor its refuge, only God can give our heart the comfort it needs.

2. Money cannot save in the day of distress

Job 36:19 "Will your riches, or all the mighty forces, keep you from distress?" All the ships, all the planes, all the people deployed and all the nations of the world sending help to look for MH370 are 'mighty' forces yet the loved ones of those on board continue to have distress on their faces.

3. Money cannot replace the righteousness of God to deliver us from death

Proverbs 11:4 "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath but righteousness delivers from death"

I took the time to tell my colleague about JESUS being the way, the truth and the life. I took the time to ask him if he knew where he was going to go before he died. I took the time to share with him of a guaranteed place in heaven if he will put his trust in JESUS.

Then I sent him a tract with a prayer for him to read.

God is not saying that money is evil as can be seen in this verse:

1 Tim 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy"

This is true riches - to be able to enjoy this life that God has given us, to be able to breathe this breath of life, to know JESUS, to walk with Him, to talk with Him and to be able to enjoy the blessed companionship, the love of our family members. To be able to bless and to be blessed in return, to be able to work with our hands, to serve the Lord and to be an example for our children to follow - this is TRUE RICHES!