A Riches to Rags Story
This blog is written by Dr. Gary D. Erickson
It’s great being rich! I was eight years old, and seventy-five cents was burning holes in my pocket. Of course, when you’re rich you must show off your riches—so I let others know just how rich I was. Sadly, my days of riches were short lived. Let me tell you about it.
When Dad did maintenance at the church, I would go with him and play with the neighborhood kids. On one of these occasions, a young man in the neighborhood discovered my wealth and immediately expresses his pressing need for a loan. He assured me he would pay me back right away. He was an older and larger boy, so I reluctantly loaned him fifty cents—more out of fear than compassion.
A few days later I saw the young man and insisted that he settle his account. He looked at me with scorn and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about! I never borrowed any money from you. Get lost kid!” I was stunned! I had never been defrauded at this magnitude and it made me angry and I felt powerless. I went to my brother for some sympathetic advice (he was eight years older than I). He only laughed and grunted his amusement: “Dummy!” That was one of my first experiences with an ugly, fallen world. I didn’t know such dishonest people existed.
Here I am, over sixty years later, still vividly remembering that experience and the awful feeling it gave me. Unfortunately, that childhood experience was mild compared to the many disappointments I would experience in the days to come.
I must admit, I’m a slow learner when it comes to investing with friends! A few years ago, a friend persuaded me to invest in his spectacular business opportunity that promised to bring me lucrative returns. A few months after investing with him, he filed for bankruptcy causing me to lose many thousands of dollars! His fraudulent business scheme cost him several years in prison, but my money disappeared.
Life’s unfair infractions can make us “bitter” or “better.” Being defrauded can potentially scar us for a lifetime. I determined not to become bitter—that decision was eventually put to the test. I met my friend at a social event a while later. I got up from my chair, walked over to him, smiled, and shook his hand. We chatted briefly about pleasantries, and I returned to my seat.
Forgiving him made me feel better and I’m sure it did the same for him. I wanted my friend and God to know I had buried the hatchet.
No one was ever defrauded like Jesus! He was the epitome of goodness, but was mocked, beaten, and crucified. His response to being defrauded are forever chiseled in stone, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus went from riches to rags to become our Savior, but ultimately, He will go from rags to riches at the King of Kings! Always forgive! This will be our rags to riches story!