Rich And Not Powerful

Rich And Not Powerful

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” . . . “You know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. Luke 18:18-23

Adam’s mother, Marjorie, inherited a fortune and continued to increase her wealth throughout her lifetime. She had a modern Midas touch, and she was also generous in her support of several local charities and her church.

As she grew older, the family began to notice that she no longer gave money to organizations she had supported for years. When she also became withdrawn, refusing to go out with the family, they asked me to see her.

My first surprise was her appearance—once very regal but now unkempt. I administered a short exam to test her mental state, and she failed. A neurologist and a psychiatrist later confirmed a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and placement in a suitable care facility became the next step.

When the family had settled on the safest and healthiest place for her to live, admission required a power of attorney—but no one had been appointed. As a result, Marjorie was stuck in limbo because she couldn’t make her own decisions, and no one had been designated to make them on her behalf.

In her dementia, she attached herself in a very miserable way to her possessions and wealth, constantly accusing her children of trying to steal from her. When the court finally appointed Adam as her trustee and gave him power of attorney, Marjorie was legally forced to remove her grip on her money and possessions—and her health improved dramatically.

Medication and therapy helped to slow the dementia, and the nursing home chaplain was able to guide Marjorie out of her paranoid shell and back to the old, generous person she’d once been.

TODAY’S RX

Don’t let your riches possess you. Be rich in God’s love, and use your material wealth to bless others.

Father, help me to remember that everything I have on this earth is because of you. May I be generous with what you’ve blessed me with and give to those in need. After all, you gave your all for me.