"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides is with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" 1 Timothy 6:17-19

When most people think of the rich, they think of Oprah, Bill Gates, Kings and Queens, people that Robin Hood would have stolen from. However, what a lot of people don't realize is that the majority of America (pretty much, anyone above the poverty line, meaning you)makes up the top 5% of the richest people in the world. Shocking?

So, I urge anyone reading this to go and re-read that verse there. Because, believe it or not, you are "the rich".

"There's an imbalance in the world" says my friend Joey. Most of us walk around every day and either see or hear about people that are homeless, starving, and even orphaned, right here in America. But how often do we actually stop and do anything about it? How often do we say to ourselves "someone else will help them..."
But what if there is no one else?

There's two scenarios that play through our minds, two excuses. First, we say to ourselves, to our children, "oh, don't give them any money, they got themselves into that situation, they're probably alcoholics or drug addicts that are just going to go out and spend the money you give them on drugs and beer." well what if they aren't? do you know, did you talk to them? Maybe they lost their house in a fire, maybe their mom, dad, husband, or wife died and they no longer have enough money to support themselves? You don't know.
Secondly, we tell ourselves "I just don't have the money to give them, everyone's hurting these days, I'm in a recession too." But then, we go home and turn on the computer, plug in our iPod touch to charge. Then we go out for a movie the next day, and grab a bite to eat afterward. We all have a lot more money than we think. So why not cut back even more, don't go to the movies, or out to eat, and then see if you really don't have any money to give.

But as it says in Timothy, "command [the rich] to be good, to be rich in good deeds." Because the more we give up to those in need, it shows how much faith we place in God, and that is how we get eternal rewards. Because riches here on earth mean nothing, the ones with nothing in this world will be blessed with all of the eternal treasures of heaven.

We need to stop using people and loving things,
and start to love people, and use things.