Saturday, April 2, 2011

Reflection Series: The Words Poor Richard

Based on Franklin's Way To Wealth, Or Poor Richard Improved: To Which Is Added How To Make Much Of A Little, By Bob Short.
http://www.archive.org/stream/franklinswayweal00franiala/franklinswayweal00franiala_djvu.txt


Original:

THE WAY TO WEALTH. 33

REMEMBER SIN is THE GREATEST

EVIL; SALVATION BY JfiSUS CHRIST THE
GREATEST GOOD; AND GRACE TO CHANGE
THE HEART, THE POOR MAN'S RICHEST

TREASURE. Let the poor man then
find his way to the cheapest market
on a Saturday ; to that place of wor-
ship where he can meet with the best
advice on a Sunday ; and go like an
honest man to his labour on the
Monday ; and following these simple
rules, he will be happy twice over ;
happy in time, and happy to all
Eternity.


Rework:

Sin is the greatest evil. It is everyone’s worst nightmare – even those that have no clue what the word means. Sin is mostly rooted in fear and selfishness – whether fear of the unknown or fear of a known consequence. Fear fosters sin. For example, it could prove difficult to get the truth from a kid who is being questioned for an action that is supposedly wrong. The lies from the child are often not because of the available choice to lie, but rather because of the perceived fear of the consequence from saying the truth. Selfishness and insensitivity are other instigators of sin. A thief, for example, is more preoccupied with his rational for stealing than with the role his or her action takes on the larger picture that affects others. Fear and selfishness could also be to self. For example, a person might claim to hate him or herself and then commit suicide. With a closer look, however, the fear of failure and the selfishness of thinking that his or her life did not affect other people aided the act. The person felt that his or her life was solely lived for their satisfaction. Thus, even as it concerns individuals, these factors play a significant role especially considering that a selfish person cannot as much be liberal to himself as they often say, “trust no one – not even yourself.”

Nonetheless, Jesus Christ brings salvation and freedom of the heart. He saves a person from eternal condemnation and brings grace to a person’s heart even in this life. He is the poor man’s richest asset and also the most secure. Jesus Himself assured that the peace He has given to us was not from the world and, hence, the world cannot take it (John 14:27). He brings assurance for life and strength for each day. Not only is He secure in the spirit of a man, but He also brings security to the person. He is refuge, power and wisdom all at once – with an overwhelming love for His man or woman. He relates personally and individually with them and sustains them with plenty of encouragement and guidance.

A man might be poor in every other thing. He may shop in the cheapest stores and eat the sorriest food, without friend or affluence, cut off from the world in an economic and or social isolation. Everyone might know him as a Nobody. However, if Christ is in Him, it does not matter the apparent, or the hunger. He is a winner! He wins above life in a way that the rational world cannot explain or pinpoint in a lab. He wins in a way that only his spirit can identify. As the bible expresses:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men…” 1 Corinthians 1:17 – 25
Reassured by words as these in a place of worship, even the poor can go forth into the start of another week with diligence and advantage. He can leave refreshed and ready to selflessly, and in the reverential fear of God, serve and profit in his ventures. He is also equipped with words of wisdom from the almanac and has his bible to guide him even further. Poor Richard is saying, “Mark this man.” He will be twice as happy every day as a brighter light unto a perfect day!



"Full Text of "Franklin's Way to Wealth, Or, Poor Richard Improved : to Which Is Added How to Make Much of a Little, by Bob Short"" Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. <http://www.archive.org/stream/franklinswayweal00franiala/franklinswayweal00franiala_djvu.txt>.

Bible, King James Version. NC: Bible House, 1976. Print.

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