How to be rich.

1 Timothy 6:18 states ‘Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.'

This statement has been the premise of North Point Church and its partners for over 20 years. Every October the lead pastor, Andy Stanley, asks his congregation to donate money and time. It is called the Be Rich Campaign.

This past year, collectively over all of the churches, they raised over $9mm and something like 5,000 volunteer hours throughout the world!

Crazy, huh?!

Which led me to thinking…am I now finished? I donated and served during the Be Rich Campaign…do I now call it done?

Which led me to…what does it REALLY mean to be rich?

What do you think when you hear the words ‘be rich'? You think of money, right? I know I do. I think of fat bank accounts, buying what I want, large houses, fancy cars, epic vacations, designer clothes…I could go on and on.

But is that what it really means. I guess yes…it does. But what if you looked at it differently?

What if you took your money glasses off and put your ‘kindness' glasses on? Ok – are they on?

What do you see?

I see someone helping an older person cross the street. I see someone helping my husband get up the stairs because he just can't do it sometimes. I see me helping my mom get dressed or tucking her in at night.

Now, take those glasses off and put your ‘family' glasses on. Are they on?

What do you see?

I see my family gathered at my house. We are all laughing and telling stories. I see me doing the bulk of the work and meal prep which I don't mind. Because it is my family. And they might not be around next year…so I need to capture the moments and memories now. I see myself going to visit my youngest kids. And they are all ready for me and excited that I came to stay.

Now, take those glasses off and put your ‘neighbor' glasses on. Are they on?

What do you see?

I see my neighbor Matt hanging with his son. His wife left last year. I see my neighbor Harold. He and his wife are moving and he does not want to go..but he has physical limitations and can't maintain his big house anymore. I see the ambulance that pulled into the neighborhood and wonder who is sick and needs help.

Now, take those glasses off and put your ‘health care worker' glasses on. Are they on?

What do you see?

I see an ICU filled to the brim with loved ones. I see doctors and nurses working long and stressful hours trying to keep those loves ones alive. I see slumped shoulders and sadness when they could not save someone. A loved one. I see celebrations when someone goes home. I see PT's working with kids who have disabilities. I see nurses working non stop in the pediatric oncology ward.

Now, take those glasses off and put your ‘less fortunate than you' glasses on. Are they on?

What do you see?

I see people living in tents under the overpass. I see a mom struggling to save $5 for her family. I see a father who just lost his job and is totally stressed about how he is going to care for his family. I see the shop owner who, due to Covid, is being forced to close the doors of the business he has had for 50 years.

I see so many things when I look through lenses that do not look at me.

This is how to be rich.

Setting aside yourself and looking at others. It's not about money. It's about giving. When I look through all of those different lenses I am shown the way to make change. I can reach out to Matt and invite him and his son to dinner. I can make cookies or bring a meal to the health care workers. I can find the needy and give them food, clothes and a toy or two.

I can give my time. I can give my hands. I can give my mind. I can help.

What about you? How are you going to be rich this year? How are you going to help?

If you need some inspiration or ideas please join my ‘Random Act of Kindness' Challenge. It is FREE. And includes everything that you need to spread kindness across your area of the world. You can join right HERE.

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