“He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (attributed to James Elliot)
What a marvelous motto for living. James Elliot has been noted as one of five American missionaries martyred in the 1950’s in South America. However, though generally accredited to him, this thought actually predates James Elliot by about three centuries. In Matthew Henry’s (1662-1714) biographical account of his father’s life (Philip Henry, 1631-1696), in referencing his father’s practice of setting aside a tenth of his income for aiding the poor, to encourage himself and others in doing so Matthew Henry’s father was noted as saying, “He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.” [source: “The Complete Works of Matthew Henry”] It has been suggested that James Elliot had either read or heard those words and took them to become his own life motto.
Jesus bore out the appropriateness of such a perspective when He stated. . .
“(24) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (26) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26 ESV)
With the life fully given over in surrender to Jesus, we have everything to gain. It was in knowing Christ and all associated with Him that Paul centered his life focus upon. (Philippians 3:7-11) Are we also counting that as of surpassing worth compared to anything else? With this in mind we can more easily become good stewards of all with which we have been blessed as we find opportunities to do good with it. Remembering our physical possessions will all someday be left behind, may our soul’s focus remain on that which relates to our eternal gain in the Lord!
Have a great day WISELY ACKNOWLEDGING THE SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST!
Carl
