While getting back into the driver’s seat I was muttering about paying $80.00 for the gas I just put in my very thirsty car. I don’t know if my wife was trying to make me feel better or worse as she reminded me of an afternoon almost fifty years ago when our ‘57 Ford was very empty. The needle was riding on the “E” and we were still a few miles from home. We had to do something. I had two dimes in my pocket and we found a nickel in the ashtray. Pulling into a gas station we put twenty-five cents worth, a gallon, into the tank. We told the attendant (no self-service then) to be very careful because if he put in twenty-six cents we didn’t have the extra penny. (No credit cards then.)
So when did I pay the most? On one occasion I had something left and on the other I had not a cent left. Or does it really matter? The real richness of life was the person in the car with me on both occasions. True wealth isn’t about dimes and dollars. It is the people we love and the people who love us. True wealth is a lifetime of good memories and shared experiences. True wealth is being cared about and having someone to cherish.
When Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always”, He made us the richest people in history. In John 14 He promised to send us the Comforter. His Spirit, upon our request, will actually dwell within us. “I in Christ and Christ in me” is an amazing concept. If we can but grasp the immensity of this reality we will tap into the resources of heaven itself. See II Peter 1.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 27, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org