A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth R. Handford
Walt and I had a dear friend who was a multi-millionaire. We were very careful never to
presume on his generosity because we had heard too many of his “friends” hint without subtlety of their
needs. He once said to us, with tears, “I don’t know who my real friends are who love me and those
who love my money.”
Another young man had a grandmother who was exceedingly wealthy. He was a lazy sort of guy
who didn’t want to work. He kept trying to borrow money from his friends on the premise that when his
grandmother died he’d inherit lots of money to pay them back. I tried to warn him with Ecclesiastes
5:10: “Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true
happiness!”
Another wealthy woman in our extended family bought stock in a start-up company. Every
morning she’d grab the newspaper to see the current price of her stock. Some days she’d smile. As
often, she’d groan. “Libby, I lost $5,000.00 in the last quarter.” Her wealth gave her no comfort.
My dear parents gave me the best possible inheritance. They gave me a beautiful example of
living sacrificial lives in serving Jesus by serving others. They enjoyed every moment of it. They lived
frugal lives, but had such a sweet and intimate relationship with the Lord that we children never worried
about the future. We absolutely knew that God would take care of us, whatever our need.
My husband and I had also proved it true. We lived frugally, but our seven children always had
good food, suitable clothes, good books, money for music lessons and sports activities, and tuition for
Christian school. God never failed us. As King David said, “O LORD, You are the portion of my
inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I
have a good inheritance” (Psalm 16:5,6).
Then came a day when my sisters and I learned that we had received an inheritance from our
mother. We gathered in Pigeon Forge to hear the lawyer’s report. We each received a tidy sum,
more than we could have anticipated. That afternoon, Walt and I went to visit a bookstore in the
mall. As we walked by a clothing store outlet, I saw a beautiful tailored raincoat. Dreamily, I said to
my husband, “You know, Walt, I’m an heiress. I could walk in there and buy that coat if I wanted
to.”
Walt grabbed my arm, guided me through the double doors, eyed the coat department, and led
me there. “There’s the coat. You need it. Now buy it.”
I did. I was an heiress, and I could afford it. I wore that raincoat for years, at home and
overseas, using its broad skirts for warmth as well as protection from the rain in all kinds of
situations.
But that bit of money has never been my security. Here’s the inheritance I’m counting on:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His
abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead,
“To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in
heaven for you. . . .
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been
grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than
gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ,
“Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you
rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” — 1 Peter 2:3-6
What more could a child of God ask for?