Category — Contemporary Quotes

I was teaching the parable of the rich fool this past week in our Wednesday night service, and then this morning I came across this releated quote. It seems that this week I should be  considering what it means to be rich, and so of course it’s only right that I share it with you.

A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone. – Henry David Thoreau, American Author

Being rich is about being focused on the right things, and not being focused on the wrong things. Today’s quote is NOT from the Bible but it is wise nonethless. If our focus is on our stuff, and how much we have, and how much we don’t have, then we will never be happy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine to have stuff and to live comfortably, but that should not define who we are. Jesus teaches in Luke 12 to “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.

In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus does not condemn the man for being prosperous, He condemns him for being greedy. Rather than thanking God for his abundance, and then sharing with those in need, he devised a plan to keep everything for himself. He completely missed the mark, loving himself more than anything.  Had he focused on loving God above all and his neighbor as himself, he could have enjoyed his prosperity while at the same time making the lives of those around him better.

The lesson: we should focus on being rich in the things of God, and God will provide everything else. And should our souls be required of us, then we can enter The Kingdom with confidence. What do you think?

Today is the 100th anniversary of an historic event of epic proportions: the sinking of the Titanic. The fame of the Titanic’s voyage and sinking continues to captivate the interest of people everywhere. It is the most compelling example of both the monumental acheivements and foolish pride of modern man.

On April 10th 1912 the much heralded Titanic left Southampton England on its maiden voyage. A hallmark of the Titanic’s design was its double hull, designed to make the ship unsinkable. The purported unsinkability of the Titanic was the inspiration for this now very famous quote said to embarking passenger, Mrs Sylvia Caldwell.

“God himself could not sink this ship!” - Unknown Titanic Crewmember

Four days later the Titanic struck an iceberg and on April 15th 1912 it sank into the icy Atlantic leaving only 710 survivors. This was indeed a tragedy, but a tragedy that could have been avoided. The Titanic is the poster child for the Bible proverb, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV). It’s like the tale of Icarus, who was so enamored by his new wings and ability to fly so high, that he tumbled to the sea when he got too close to the sun.

The sinking of the Titanic was truly a tragedy, and on this 100th anniversary let’s hope that we have learned from history. Read the entire story here, and enjoy the trailer of the new Titanic 3D movie.

“Spring is a natural resurrection, an experience in immortality.” – Henry David Thoreau

This is a very interesting quote by Thoreau, not sure if it was intended to be spiritual or not. Every year we pass from season to season, and at this time of year we see a true resurrection of life. The birds return, the grasses and flowers bloom, new life is born. IMHO it is no concidence that this is the time of Passover where Israel was resurrected from bondage, and the time of Easter where Jesus resurrected from the grave.

Both tied together in God’s master plan. And each year as Spring is sprung, God reminds us once again that He is the Giver of Life.