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My Insight on Money from Fast
Last Friday, when I was going to buy some food for Sabbath, my mother called, after that I thought I need a fast to think the money issue over. Therefore I fasted on the past Sabbath. Then ideas about money did come to me. Now I try to organize them.
I have been a person who does not pay much attention to money. But occasionally I seemed to be in need of money. I remember when I was about six years old, I lived with my grandma and my uncle. Once my father came to see me from another town. When he was leaving, I ran to him and asked him to give me some money. This was the first time for me to ask for something by words. Then my father who was a little surprised gave me some money. I liked the money so much that I did not really use them, until at last I lost them, which meant that I was not really in need of money.
In reality people often think they need money, when in fact they do not need more money and they are in sufficiency. For the LORD does provide whatever is necessary for humans to survive.
I remember once a read an article that said a rabbi would give away all the money that was left with them at the end of each day so that they would have a completely new day the next by relying on God’s providence. What a great faith. However, not all Jews do as the rabbi did. Many Jews are hoarding money in such a way and so much that the money no longer do favor to them. Too much money brings disasters. This is true. If some Jews had not hoarded too much money that could not be shared by other people, Hitler would not have killed so many Jews to get money. Money or treasure hoarding has made the nation of Israeli the God-chosen would-be light to the nations a light that will never shine to other nations if no change is made at both individual and national level.
No one can consume more than necessary. Live on enough money and people will live in peace. Pursue money more than enough and people will never have peace, even when they are pursuing money for giving out to other people, for they may be destroying a balanced system. For the more money than enough people get will not really do any good to them or the society especially if they get them through an improper way.
Many say that they are hoarding for tomorrow in case of accident. They do not know in this way they are inviting accident to happen in their life, for what’s in their mind will become reality. Sure people with a pure belief in the LORD will always live in peace for they will not rely on their own wisdom and they believe that the LORD will work the best way for them.
My mother feels so nervous for her money is devaluing especially compared to the soaring Chinese stock market. I’d rather stick to my way of life no matter what happens in the world. Am I wrong or is the economic system wrong? Time will tell the truth.
I remember ten years ago when I was about to leave America, I got the following three sentences by chance:
Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time.
You life will be happy and peaceful.
You will win success in whatever calling you adopt.
The three sentences were just what I had in my heart at that time, thus they impressed me very much. I regard them as promises from the LORD. However, till now it seems I have been in search for truth for so many years without a result, though my life is peaceful but I win no success in an ordinary view. Still I believe the LORD is taking care of me and I have to fulfill whatever I know is most important for me and for the society. This is to realize my true value, or I am worth nothing. There are many things that cannot be valued by money. My true value is not determined by how much money I own or give out. My true value is much more precious than money. Why should I give up the more precious and go to pursue money that can devalue at any time?
Surely, blessed are those who do not feel less just because others are getting more. Blessed are those who trust in the LORD. They will always lead a happy and peaceful life. Their true value will be realized and they will show that they have a special value that no other people can realize. Their special value contributes to make the world more enjoyable.
Now I know fast is a fast link to the LORD of the universe and the LORD of life.
With peace and love.
Ruth S. Zhu 10/21/2007 11:23:08 AM BJ time