The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 1:9-12, “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Almost everyone I know is of “humble circumstances.” Many, if not most, wish that they had more and wish they could live as prosperously and joyously as those who possess considerable wealth. What those who lack riches do not know is that many who are wealthy lack the abilities and joys of the poor and would gladly relinquish what they possess for what the poor have.

I once knew a man who had considerable wealth. His business was thriving, yet the car he drove was visibly old and needed some serious attention. I was young and somewhat brash, so one day I told him I was certain he could afford a nicer car and asked him why he didn’t purchase a better one.

He smiled and said, “You’re right. This is an old car, and I could afford a newer one; but this one gets me where I need to go and gets me back home. So, it serves me as well as a new one would.”

I’ve thought a lot about what the man said, and it applies well to a variety of things. The world cries, “Buy more!” Yet, the contented man thinks of his coming “Crown of Life” and glories in the LORD he serves. He is rich already!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.”
–Corrie ten Boom