CHAPTER ONE
686 Words
Naomi and Esther were twin sisters from a humble background. Naomi was aggressive and always seemed to know what she wanted. Esther, on the other hand, was quiet, shy, but assertive. Both women, though different in character, shared one thing in common – they had a strong belief in God.
They were brought up in a Christian home and enjoyed a childhood where both parents had a wonderful husband and wife relationship. Their parents had become the standard for the kind of marital relationship they wanted. Their father made just enough to provide for his family. But he taught his girls to seek more than enough, as it was biblically acceptable and based on Bible principles. “I probably should have desired more,” he told them. “But I guess I was just satisfied with being able to provide for my family. But God wants us to do more than provide for our family. He wants us to be a blessing to as many people as we come across. Now girls, I want you to go farther than I have gone. Go to school, make money, marry a godly rich man, have children, and bless the world around you.”
Wearing a queer look, Esther asked, “Don’t you think people will consider us gold diggers if we seek to marry a rich man?” Stroking her hair gently, he responded, “My dearest Esther, deep calls out to deep; and iron sharpens iron. When you rob steel against steel, you get the sound of steel. When you rob wood against wood, you get the sound of wood. If you cultivate yourself to wealth, you will automatically attract the wealthy. You will attract your kind. I mean, you can choose to go high or low. Only the rich can choose, and you want to be one of those who can choose.”
Confused, Naomi asked, “Papa, I don’t understand! Are you saying poor people can’t be with rich people?” Tapping her on her nose, he asked, “Who is a rich person?” Esther cut in, “Oh papa, anyone can answer that. A rich person is someone who has money and can buy anything they want.” Laughing, he replied, “No my darling. Not everyone who has money and can buy anything they want is rich. Also, not everyone who has no money to buy what they want is necessarily poor. Wealth is first of all a state of the mind. A person with money could be someone who just luckily bumped into money. Give them time, and the money will fly away, because money has wings. A person who currently has no money could be a wealthy person, doing everything they need to do, until the time when their wealth is unveiled. Let’s hear it from God Himself. Get your bible girls.”
Both girls hurried to get their bible and returned, waiting for the next instruction. “Now turn to Revelations chapter 2 verse 8 and 9. Naomi, I want you to read it. Smiling sheepishly, she read:
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich!”
“Wow, it’s there in the bible papa!” Naomi exclaimed. “Yes, my darling, it is in the bible. You see, a person may be rich, but circumstances may make it difficult for them to exert themselves and bear fruit. But with prayer, vision, hard work, and patience they will bear fruit.” “Oh Papa,” said Esther, “it feels so good to know it’s okay to want to be rich.” Her father responded, “of course, it’s a righteous thing to desire wealth. But you must keep it in perspective. Getting rich is not about you. It’s first about God, family and then the people around you. If you follow that line, you will control money and not the other way round.”
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