One of our great hymns of faith contains the following phrase: “…rich in things and poor in soul.” I thought of that phrase as I had an opportunity to ride on the Inter Coastal Waterway Sunday evening with some dear friends. As I had the opportunity to let the wind blow through my hair and to enjoy the fellowship of friends I thought how blessed I am. One is always rich when they have good friends. Rich in soul.
I thought back to a time when Tom Brittain had a child at Epworth Children’s Home ask him if he was rich. Tom wondered what prompted such a question. The child essentially asked Big Tom if he had food on the table, nice clothes to wear, a roof over his head, and a bed in which to sleep. “If you do, ’said the child, “then you are rich!’” Having the essentials makes one rich. Rich in soul.
I remember growing up in Graniteville and hard times coming as the company for which my dad worked changed administrations and my dad had to change his work…doing work that was reserved for men many years his junior. Yet, he went and never complained. And we never knew we were poor. Our parents provided what we needed and taught us to want what we had. Measuring life by “keeping up with the Jones Family” was no way to live. Having parents that taught us the value of having what we already have makes one rich in soul.
When shopping in a store Cooper, when he was little, would see something he wanted. We’d admonish him that some things are too expensive and he already had so much. One time he said, “It’s only money!” And, in part, he was right. Too many prevent living “in the now” because they point to a time and day that is far into the future. Life unfolds now. And while preparing for the future is wise, we cannot put everything into the future. Life has to be lived in the now. We have the privilege this month to live in the present and the future with the coming of our Endowment efforts. While we have regular support for the church and its ministry through our weekly loyalty we have the chance to meet some future needs by sacrificial giving beyond our regular support. Listen carefully and prayerfully this month as words are spoken about it. This is a great time for people who are rich in soul.
Rich in soul is good because it does not lead to GREED. Wanting money and working for money is no sin. Having money and being materially rich is not a sin. Believing one never has enough and the only worthwhile pursuit in life is to get more puts us on a slippery slope. Greed overcomes the human heart at times by making the pursuit of material gain our sole pursuit that holds any value.
The church teaches us otherwise. The goal for being “rich in soul” is to allow our lives to become the Gospel. I’m pleased that our efforts to collect 139 back-packs for children in our schools exceeded our goal. We collected 207. These have been made available to children, and the Gospel reaches out once more. I’m thankful that our Sunday attendance is growing. Worship helps our hearts. The Nominating Committee will be making contacts with persons to serve the church in the September weeks that follow their meeting on September 7.
Thank you in advance for loving the church and agreeing to serve. This is a grand church family with great hearts and very rich souls. Speaking of family. Our church family will have a chance to have another Pictorial Directory created on September 28, 29, and 30. It’s great that the former directory is already outdated. We are growing and things are increasing in number and spirit. Thanks for signing up and for participating. All the positives add up and make for blessings from above. What a great time to be “rich in soul.” Ken