Another Kind of Joy

My wife, Claudia, and I sat at a dinner table as guests with four others for a fine dinner. The discussion went through normal patterns of the social network until it weaved its way naturally into examples of people who have lots of money, and what happens to them because of it. Two examples stood out in contrast.

One was a very wealthy friend of one of the couples, a man unnamed in another state who had amassed such a great fortune that he no longer had a way to spend it all. He had become eccentric in the latter part of his life, lived on an estate with a view marvelous view but kept his curtains drawn all the time and had no partner, no one he trusted. He had grown fearful of people, sure that all wanted friendship or relationship with him for his money so he lived alone.

The other was a man who had also made considerable wealth in his lifetime. But unlike the first, he'd spent his life on building relationships including one with God. By the age of 75, he had become a genuine philanthropist, traveling much. He seemed happy everywhere he went and gave a lot of money to causes or people he deemed worthy or useful.

Both men had seemingly boundless wealth. One was lonely, distrusting and withdrawn; the other, outreaching, loving and happy. One had learned to horde; the other to give.

We concluded that joy was found in giving.

But I think another kind of joy is potential in the lack of money. Difficult financial straights can lead to the same contrast as those of our two wealthy men.

People have a choice when they are poor as much as they do when they are rich. They can either be happy or they can turn bitter. The latter develops a complaining heart while the former builds a loving heart. It's not the money that ruins a person, rich or poor; it's the choice they make in the habits of their heart.

The joy of dependency is the joy found in trusting God for everything.

With little or no resource spawned from self, one still has a choice. You can complain and grow bitter or you can praise God and find joy in your situation. Choosing the praise leads to the joy.

There is a great joy found in giving, yes. But another kind of joy is found in dependence on God because there you see His hand working. Whether you are rich or poor, makes no difference.

###Dwayne K. Parsons