It's Thanksgiving, and today I hope you are thankful for being one of the richest people in the world. Now, you may have gotten a good chuckle out of that, but allow me to take a moment to show you just how rich everyone reading this email truly is.
First, just by reading this, you are more fortunate than close to a
billion people all over the world who cannot read at all, due to a lack of educational resources.
Think you don't make much money? If your family income is at least $10,000 a year, you are wealthier than 84% of the world. If it's $47,500 or more you are in the top 1% of the world.
If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, that's more than 75% of the planet can say.
Similarly, if you have access to health care, air conditioning, clean drinking water, and a flushing toilet, you can make a claim that most of the world cannot.
In reality, in comparison to virtually the entirety of humanity, you are a King.
2 Corinthians 9:11 says
"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." Now that's perspective. But here's the real perspective...
Money and resources are a wonderful thing, but they are a far cry from the things that matter most in life. I mean, not even close.
You see, I've been on several missions trips to Third World countries living in extreme poverty, but yet these people are some of the happiest and most grateful people on earth. How can that be?
It's simple really: these folks, while living in the midst of "nothing" realize that they have "everything" in these two things:
1. God's gift of salvation
2. People
You've heard the saying that "the best things in life are free" and that couldn't be more true.
God's word says in Romans 3:23-24,
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins." First and foremost, I am grateful for my salvation in Jesus Christ, God's ultimate gift to mankind, completely undeserved, yet freely given. Truth is, I'm a sinner, I'm a screw up, I've fallen short more times than I can count, and God still loved me enough to send his son to pay the penalty for my shortcomings, on my behalf. Wow.
Today, I'm here to tell you that if you have literally nothing else in this life, you have an opportunity to have a direct and personal relationship with your creator through God's gift of salvation—the greatest gift of all time.
Second, beyond all the "stuff" in life, I'm so much more thankful for the people in my life. My wife and two daughters, the very core of everything that matters to me. My extended family. The "friends" we call family, because they treat us like family, and us them.
What's more important in life than relationships? Nothing. The satisfaction and peace that we receive from our relationship with God and the people God has entrusted to us during our time here on this earth cannot compare or be replaced by any level of monetary wealth or success.
You are rich.
We are rich. Let's thank God today for all he has blessed us with. Thank him for the many wonderful people he's placed in your life. And above all else, thank him for the greatest gift that he's made available to you through salvation (and if you've yet to receive it, make that critical decision to accept it with open arms today).
As for relationships, hug those closest to you today. Tell them you love them, extra. Let them know how important they are to you, and how grateful you are to have them in your life.
Relationships—they're everything. Treasure yours today.
In sincere friendship,
Joel
P.P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're going to love my top-ranked Born to Impact podcast even more... it's the deepest, most inspirational thing I have going (and it's 100% FREE). Each week we have an incredible conversation with an inspirational guest, and the content of these episodes is literally changing lives (just read any of the more than 2,000 5-star reviews on iTunes to see what I'm talking about). I guarantee that if you take a moment to give it a listen today, you will be so glad you did. You can
subscribe on iTunes here or on any major podcast app/platform.
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Joel Marion
Founder, Transformation Insider & Born to Impact
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