“Don’t Let What You Own Determine Your Worth”

Dr. Rosie Milligan
Contributing Editorial

Be Encouraged Today! Encourage yourself today.

DON’T LET WHAT YOU OWN DETERMINE YOUR WORTH. This is Dr. Rosie, “AND I AM JUST SAYING . . .” If what you own determines your worth, you may one day find yourself feeling worthless. Think. Yes, it’s prudent and savvy to own, occupy, and to make sound financial investments. But if the truth be told, your greatest investments are the ones you make in the Heavenly Kingdom and in people. If what you own determines your value and if what you own is the only thing that you value, you may soon discover that you are valueless and have nothing of value.

Don’t ever get beside yourself because of what you possess on earth—don’t get things twisted. Read I Timothy 6:17–19: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof and all that dwelled therein—meaning that you and all that you own really belongs to God and not you. So don’t forget what your mama told you, “Be careful how you handle other folks’ stuff.” What you have is all God’s stuff; you are just the overseer. What did you say? Did I hear you say, you worked long hard hours and spent many years in school to get what you have? Hold up! Don’t you recognize that it was God who gave you the good health and the wisdom to make good choices for your life? It was God who allowed you to pursue your dreams and goals. You are going to make me speak Ebonics to you ’cause you done los yo’ mind. Ya done got so egecated til ya done got stupid. Haw is it dat you done got so much wen I jus tole ya dat all dis stuf is God’s stuff and it t’was here wen yo’ naked butt came into dis wurl. Ya done got it twisted up, and ya betta ax somebody. (I wish that spell check would stop red-flagging my words! It does not recognize Ebonics.) I hope you can read it.

Um saing all dat to say dis: When your home is washed away by the floods, burned down by the fire, carried away with the hurricane, etc.—when this corrupt system has stolen what you have laid up for the future through what you thought were safe investments—and when your good health has failed you so that you cannot turn yourself in bed, cannot bathe yourself, get out of bed by yourself, feed yourself, go to the bathroom on your own or cannot even feel the urge when you are going to the bathroom on yourselves or you are in diapers—when your back is itching and you cannot scratch it—this is the time when you will discover that you need people. This is the time you will reap what you have sown, when people will come forward to help you in a way that a paid caregiver will not help you—love and devotion are not provided by caregivers. There is a huge difference.

When you have the greatest needs in life, your “stuff” cannot help you. Your Mercedes cannot come from the garage and rub your back or turn you so that you will not get bedsores from lying in the same position all day. Your money won’t leave the bank and come to give you comforting words. Your gold, silver, and other investments won’t send you cards or flowers to cheer your spirits. What I am trying to convey is this: Investments and ownership are important. However, you need to invest in people. Only this can yield the greatest return to you in your time of need.

I lost two dear friends to cancer in the last four years. They both invested in my life. They both were financially stable, but I was able to do for them what their money could not do. I moved in their home when they were declining in health. I provided hospice care for them in the comfort of their home. I was able to assist them to make their transition with dignity. They died with dignity and surrounded by family and friends when they made their transition. Remember that what you have is only a loan to you. The Lord giveth and Lord can certainly take away, and when you have your priorities in proper perspective, you can say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME.

Dr. Rosie Milligan, minister, author, talk-show host, estate planner, and owner of Professional Business Management/Consulting Services, 1425 W. Manchester Avenue Ste. B, Los Angeles, CA. 90047, 323-750-3592; e-mail www.Drrosie@aol.com, www.Drrosie.com