Dear Husband and I are rich. This week proves it. Nope, we didn’t win the lottery! But we did get to spend time with two of our adult kids and their families, and we talked and/or texted with another son and three daughters. In the space of three days we were welcomed to the table of three friends plus a meet-up at a restaurant with four other couples we are close to. We also received a kind thank you letter listing things someone appreciated about us. What could be of greater worth than precious relationships?!

Thinking about our wealth called to mind our younger days in a certain Asian country that used propaganda to push population control. Across all media, the people were told over and over that two children were enough. Mothers were pressured to use the free birth control offered by the government. Enter us as a foreign family with six children. I can remember being the brunt of sneering comments from men when I was in public with six kids in tow. It was common to hear rude remarks like, “Don’t you know about birth control?”. Dear Husband taught me the perfect retort. In their language, the acronym for birth control was KB which stood for Keluarga Berencana (planned family). So we would respond with, “Certainly. KB- Keluarga Besar!” (A play on the KB acronym but this time its meaning was big family.”) But despite snide remarks by some, the older women with a wistful smile would comment as we passed by, “You are rich. Rich in children.”

So why am I bragging about our wealth? I’m actually bragging about God’s kindness and mercy. He gave us undeserved blessings. I’m also hoping to stimulate you to be the one to invite someone to your table, to call or text, to write a thank you, and to gather others together for fellowship. Someone needs you this week. Someone needs your attention and friendship, your listening ear, your kindness, a safe haven to come and rest, an oasis to be refreshed.

You may be saying, “But what about me? I need all those things!’ We all do. God made us to need each other. Even perfect Adam needed another. And God graciously provided. So the Lord graciously provides us with families, a church, and friends when we follow his plan. (And it’s never too late to start following him.). Part of following him is embracing how he does things.

So you want to be happy? Give. Give your friendship, your attention, your prayers, and your effort to your family, church, and others. He tells us that it’s more happy-making (blessed) to give than to receive.
“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

You don’t want to be lonely? Meet together with other believers regularly. Welcome others into your home. Cherish your family and your friends. Be kind to strangers.
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” Hebrews 13:2
“She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?” 1 Timothy 5:10

You want to have meaning and purpose?  Serve your family, church, and others willingly.  Contribute to the church you attend by doing whatever you’re good at for the good of others. Take care of your family.  Give to those in need.
“As each part [in the church] does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16
“I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.” Philemon 1:14
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8.
“Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.  Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.  As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,  and those who gathered only a little had enough.” Paul quoting Exodus 16:18 in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15.

You want harmonious relationships?
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3
“…to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:2

You want inner peace? Being peaceful is both resting in God’s promises and also obeying his commands.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus in John 16:33
“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

As we grow older, the endless work we performed for the good of our families and friends may now be limited by aging bodies. Even though we may not be able to do all we used to do, we can still generously give of our time to listen to and encourage others. After retirement, we more than likely have the luxury of being able to drop everything to answer a phone call from an adult child or friend. We can give them our attention and enter into their lives. Being available is a gift we can give our family and friends even when our bodies limit us. We can make them feel loved and important simply by listening and interacting. Sometimes they need practical advice, but often they just need to know that we care and that we pray for them.

Our Heavenly Father lavishes thought and care on us. He notices us, listens to us, counsels us, and is constantly available. Surely we can pass on a little of the care that we so freely receive. (Disclaimer: wisdom is required to set boundaries. We aren’t God or the Holy Spirit! We don’t have the job of constantly overseeing anyone’s life.)

“Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:10