The Drive Home

Who is the rich man? The man living in his luxury penthouse who has everything his heart desires, or the man who stands on the street corner with cardboard sign in hand and nothing but sadness in his eyes? The first man believes his wealth has come from his hard work alone and never stops to ponder over the true source of his success. The second man waits downcast in his old, flannel jacket and feels too ashamed to look you in the eye, but never fails to give glory to God when someone feels lead to give him a dollar. The first man sees fit to give himself every luxury because he feels he is entitled to live above the means of most, but the second man struggles to find the money to support his family and yet still cannot find a way to regain his self-worth. I saw a man standing in the median just before the on-ramp leading onto 465 today after leaving work and the sign he held said, "Times are tough, can u help? GOD BLESS U." Who is the rich man? The man who is validated by his material possessions and believes his success is his justification, or the man who even as he begs for change to help provide for his family, knows he can only be justified through faith in God?