The Richest Man In Babylon

Deep down I always knew there was some sizeable good sense in the admonition: “Do not judge a book by its cover.” But stubbornly, I have either neglected or ignored such goodly advice for the sake of my insistence on “excellent quality and branding”. 

For how do you get people interested in your book if you pay little attention to how it’s presented and packaged? Surely, every man does love a beautiful thing, as all that glisters is not gold; or so I thought, until recently, that upon a particularly boring day I decided, against my worse judgement, to steal a peek of what might lie within the pages of a poorly reprinted version of the book, The Richest Man in Babylon.

 

The Actual Copy In Question

Quite unsightly was the paperback, and to look within was to behold prints not fitting for my delicate eyes, but what great fortune, that on that day my impetuously judgemental tendencies were nowhere to be found. For by God's favour I fell upon the glorious opportunity to learn from one of the greatest and wisest manuals of finance.

Never have I seen in stark simplicity the blessed path to monetary success. And above all, the most beautiful impression made on the reader was that it's all “just” common sense. As in proffering one of seven cures for a lean purse, the author states quite reasonably: “...put each coin to labouring that it may reproduce its kind even as the flocks of the field and help bring to thee income, a stream of wealth that shall flow constantly into thy purse”.

Yet the gems contained in this little volume aren’t really common as they ought to be. For man is complicated. For if he weren’t so, his purse would lack every reason to be empty. He would have his coffers filled with enough gold to provide for his needs and that of his family and the world around him.

Anyhow, however it is that just a few men have stumbled upon these insights and used them and have become rich, the rest all stand the chance to be counted rich and prosperous by doing as this few have done.

So, I have always believed that upon a certain stage in a man’s maturity there is that familiar wisdom that settles upon his senses, telling him that being one of great means is essentially necessary. It is in this view that I have shared with you my encounter with The Richest Man In Babylon, with the hope that your may read as I have read, to become enlightened as I have become, in this very important matter of our finance. 

Hence, let’s get rich and do it well.

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” –2Corinthians 8:9

A Well Packaged Version. You see what I mean? Lol

Thinking Temptation

11:46pm

In this, it’s only God. There is no other way. Even the option, “I can handle it”, is nowhere near a possible solution. As an idea it’s far flung from me already; so far that I can no longer hear its counsel. It just doesn’t work. Never did, never will. It only puffed me up into thinking I am the “Main Man” in charge.

11: 50am

And I’d say, it pretty well settled on my senses, touched my mind, deep, deep inside, that self-control was, on my own, futile. It’s only God, only Him that can save me.

12:26am

For when it felt sweet to do, when all that mattered was the moment’s pleasure, I was almost always completely stripped of whatever willpower I had. Yup, before temptation came with all her charm and allure, I thought I was invincible, but soon enough I realized I wasn’t. Not even close. 

3:06am

While I thirst for growth and seek to be better, strong and firm; and while I long to live a life progressively pleasing to my God and Maker, I always did find myself in this vortex that draws me again and again to an ill center – a familiar place of woe, a vomit, a bloody addiction that tempts me at every turn, mocking my redemption and my faith.

6:31am

God will help me through it. I believe. And I will overcome. But this time I fight and stand with God. His Word in my heart, my dependence on His strength, and trust in His promises, I know I will overcome.

 

In One Verse: The Recipe For Success

Let's search no longer, for here lies the recipe for success, the eighth verse of the very first chapter of the Book of Joshua:

"This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth [1], but you shall meditate on it day and night [2], that you may observe [3] and do according to all that is written in it [4]. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success  [5]."

1. Your Continuous Confessions Of The Word Of God

2. Your Continuous Study & Contemplation Of The Word Of God

3. Your Knowing Of The Word Of God 

4. Your Doing Of The Word Of God

5. And In Your Doing Of The Word, Achieve, Prosper & Have Good Success.

 

*Scripture: Joshua 1:8 Amplified Version

*Photo from Google Images 

Apologies

Baby Me With A Guilty Look

Hi Folks, 

I am sorry, indeed remorseful, for the long, long hiatus. Just as one who’s been rightly measured and found wanting, I am guilty. For since the middle of December I have been unable to ensure the flow of blog posts, not for lack of enthusiasm but a tight schedule, comprising of my work, my distance learning program and my church commitments. 

However, as I have come to decide, The Liv’2ROCK Company is as important, and for that I have devised, through mastery of time and planning, a way to a good comeback, with the continuity and unbroken service that you deserve.

Here is looking forward to an awesome 2012 as we continue in the adventure of discovering our better selves in Christ Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith!

Yours sincerely,

Samuel

Though It Be As Scarlet

With God, it’s different. No matter how grievous the sin or how offensive the rebellion, He’s always eager to forgive us and love us no less than He did from the beginning. Unlike an aggrieved lover, He’s not interested in falling–out over whatever transgression we might have committed against Him. Instead, He’s excited and enthusiastic to reconcile and put to right our relationship with Him.

In fact, no wrongdoing on our part can be too high or wide to separate us from His love if only we’d waste no time and come to Him for his forgiveness. For His mercy born out of His love for us has no beginning or end. It abounds in excess; and why, because He loves us unconditionally. Yes, He loves us so, and it’s important we know and never forget that He does.

For a lot of us carry ourselves as though we have no hope, presumably, in the face of a God who’s awfully judgmental, with no understanding of our weaknesses or imperfections. On the contrary, God isn’t like that at all. Knowing Him helps to see that what He desires most importantly is not to judge or condemn us, but to deliver us from the chains of sin, so that we may be free to live the life of complete liberty and delight, found in His Son Jesus Christ.

Hear, in the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah, the Father says, *“Come now, let us reason together….Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Can you beat that? How uncomplicated our God is – He says, “Come now” let’s get it over with, let’s settle the matter and be done with it already. For all He wants is to be cool with us. So let’s not delay, but come to the throne of grace where mercy and love waits patiently, for us all.

*Scripture passage is from Isaiah 1:18

*Photo From Flickr

Mr. Bash

I remember watching my good ol’ friend, Mr. Bash, stare at his telephone for an approximately good ten minutes. If you ask me, that’s a pretty long time, considering the fact that the object of his attention was a black boring electronic device and that he, Bash, stared with an eerie fixation in the presence of an intrigued me, seated alongside with him in a quiet room – except for the sounds of the whirling fan and the ticking clock.

We were in his sitting room, and from across where I sat I had a good view to tell, with good authority, that the communicating machine was not the slightest bit interesting, like ringing off the hook – in fact, it was obviously the blandest piece of equipment in the room. But, eventually, it all made sense when Bash looked up at me and asked, quite directly, “How come I never hear from God?” BAM!

Now, I can’t really say if the dude actually expected God to ring him up at that particular time via his telephone. And I don’t know if God would have communicated in such a way, but seeing all things are possible with God, who knows, He could have done it, with a sense of humour. However, there’s one thing I know, I can empathize and relate with Bash’s desperation over not being able to hear from God. 

I know it does suck to have just a one–way connection to the throne of grace and not have an actual exchange. You seemingly find yourself praying and not getting a reply.

It sucks even more to hear people close to you say that the Father speaks expressly to them – giving them guidance, encouragements, and even filling their hearts with the knowledge of His will, when you on the other hand hear nothing but zilch.

To Be Free Of Guilt

Have you ever seen a man ridden by guilt? Well, you may likely find him wallowing in self-loathing, a very nasty predicament. Also, you may find him driven by the pangs of shame into hoping that the passage or perhaps the reversal of time would save him from his sense of regret.

But, of course, time won’t help. For with every passing second his mind suffers in woeful contemplation. And as a result, he may end up declaring himself unworthy and a sinner with no right to forgiveness.

For many of us, we needn’t look far for an example of a man in guilt. Our own lives have in one time or another suffered guilt, sometimes very severe. In fact, I’d dare say that the feeling of reproach is universal - at least to every normal person.

Nonetheless, in whatever way these experiences are common to us, we shouldn’t let them suffer us unnecessarily. We must not be ignorant of the fact that we can be free of guilt, no matter how grievous the transgressions that might have led to it.

Evidently, guilt is a typical trickster, seeking to convince its victims that they have no right to a second chance. Around us, we see its work: stark, helpless, riddled lives of those who had fallen from not only grace, but from every prospect of a good life.

Against this misery, we must fight, and the mind is where we fight. It’s where the guilt emotions try to take control and steal our peace of mind. In counter, it is where we must resist by maintaining a sound mental state.

Besides, when it comes down to freeing the mind of guilt, it is all about what we accept as truth. Would we think ourselves deserving of shame or of life? It is up to us, for in reality we can only prevail if we have the right mindset.

And what better way to build the correct frame of mind than meditation on God’s Word. In it, we are shown the love of the Father that says to us, “Come now, and let us reason together... though you sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...” Surely, in these words, we can’t help but discern the richness of God’s mercy and grace.

Just like the story of the prodigal son, God as Father waits eagerly for our homecoming. Not minding our erring ways, He is ready to forgive us over and over, all because he loves us unconditionally. Beating ourselves down is not what He desires; rather, it is the pleasure of reinstating us to a life of liberty and delight.

In view of such love shown by the Father, do we think any of us should spend any more time floundering in guilt? Certainly not. Instead, let’s avail ourselves of the liberating truths of God’s love and forgiveness. For it is only in the knowing of the truth – as stated by our Lord Jesus – can we truly be set free.

By accepting the mercies of God, we can answer the voice of accusation that ever tries to put a guilt trip on us. We could say something like this, “hey you, hush! I recognize am guilt free for God my loving Papa has forgiven me my sins”. This is simply the veracity of our lives.

Yes, our imperfection may never desist in this life and time; however, it is not an excuse for us to agonize and suffer whenever we make a mistake. Let us not be ill with guilt but accept the cure of forgiveness that God so willingly wants to give. Remember, because of the work done on the cross, “there is therefore no condemnation” for us. We are absolutely free.