THE FAMILY FORTUME
by Rev. Victor Trimmer
cannot corrupt, a fortune that thieves cannot steal. It is a spiritual heritage that provides a family this wealth of worthwhile things. This is a fortune that every family can enjoy, for all parents, regardless of station in life, can provide this family fortune of fine things. Where is this fortune found? First of all, of course, each mother and dad must find this fortune for them selves. It has been provided from the unsearchable riches of God Himself when He gave as a ransom, His Son, to die on a cross in our place. Jesus paid the full price for sin and in accepting Him there comes the rich experience of eternal salvation and the accompanying treasures of real peace, joy, security, and faith. You cannot leave or give that which you do not have however great your desire may be. You must have it yourself first. In this age of satel lites and sputniks some families have lost the art and the joy of family worship, but here is where this for tune is found, as worship and Bible reading become as much a part of the family life as eating and play ing. Just as a parent cannot give to the society in which he lives, whether it be government or schools or any other agency, the financial responsi bility of taking care of his family; neither can he give the spiritual res ponsibility of providing this real family fortune to the church or the Sunday school or the preacher. He, himself, is first of all responsible to God and to his family to point out by example and by precept and pattern and practice where the true riches are found.
Not all are able to see these desires realized. Many times the family for tune is very meager. Sometimes lack of ability and opportunity have so limited a father’s and family’s finan cial ability that he has not been able to provide and get and give to his family the things that he wanted. Sickness, many times, has taken the family fortune, and many pleasures of life had to be foregone. How the heart is tom and aches and great ef forts are made to make up to the family for this lack! In my travels I have seen families of whom you would say that their fortune was very meager. But in my associations with them I found they had a fortune that was of more value than the things that finances can pro vide. A family that has love one for another—a love that is filled with compassion, care and concern — a family that is filled with happiness and joy, where there is singing and merriment, a family where there is a very real sense of peace and confi dence, where faith in God is real, and trust is not only taught and talked about, but is a part of every day living—these families seem to have a security. This is a security even stronger than that which comes from a sense of financial strength. It is a security that comes from a knowl edge of God and His Word, a security that is more than just for time and for the problems and needs of this life, and a security that reaches be yond the veil and promises hope of reuniting with loved ones gone on before. Here is a treasure moth and rust
E v e r y f a t h e r wants to be able to take care of the physical needs of his family. He has ambitions to be able to give the family the extra things that make life a little more pleasant and enjoyable. The new toy, the new dress, money for school, and the many other things that are de sired in our modem way of living. It gives the father a great deal of satisfaction and pride to be able to leave financial assistance that will continue to show his love and con cern for his family. This feeling of concern and care to provide for the physical needs of the family is to be admired and appreciated.
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JANUARY, 1961
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