YOUNG CONGOLESE CONNED OF A HUGE DIAMOND|Happy New Year

A missionary who served in DRC became friends with a young miner called Chris.

One evening, Chris knocked at the door of the missionary. He was out of breath as if thieves were chasing him.

He told the missionary about his great find.

Chris unwrapped the black polythene paper in his hand and revealed a brilliant diamond the size of a tennis ball. The missionary could not believe his eyes. He had never seen such a big diamond.

That night, they agreed that Chris would hide the diamond and the missionary would travel back to his country to get a customer. He warned Chris not to tell anyone and wait till he returned.

While away, Chris stopped working. Life began to get tough. So, he informed his trusted uncle about the diamond.

Immediately, the uncle brought a friend who was willing to give Chris a large apartment with eight units in the city and a Ranger Rover. This seemed like a good deal for Christ.

He signed the deal and moved to his new home in the city.

Three months later, the missionary returned. He called Chris and they met in a restaurant in the city.

Chris was well dressed and looking great.

“I have great news for you,” the missionary said.

“I shared the pictures with a diamond dealer in my country. They’re very excited. And guess what?”

“They’ll fly in next week to test the diamond and if it’s genuine, it’s worth billions of dollars.”

Chris didn’t seem to care. He had everything he ever wanted now.

“I sold the diamond,” Chris said.

The missionary slumped in the seat; his mouth wide open.

“Ooh no, what have you done?”

Chris rose from the seat and walked away.

Later, the missionary learnt that the apartment Chris received was on a lease of ten years and would be returned to the owner.

Like Chris, Christians have a great treasure as children of God, coheirs with Christ and indwelt with the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 13:44-46, 2 Corinthians 4:7)

They have citizenship to the everlasting kingdom of heaven. While some have sold or given up everything to possess the Kingdom, others have given up their right to be children of God, exchanged their eternal inheritance for the temporary toys of this world and disregard the Holy Spirit as their teacher and counsellor through life.

Is everything a loss or rubbish compared to the greatness (treasure) of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord in your life? (Philippians 3:7-8)

Like Esau who sold his birthright for bean stew, Chris was conned of a great treasure for a short-lived ownership of stuff.

In this new year,

I pray you appreciate and cling to the treasure that is in Jesus Christ.

May God protect you from counterfeit christs and gospels.

May the Holy Spirit teach, counsel and remind you of your identity in Christ, your purpose and assignment in this life, and empower you to bear lasting fruit.

To learn more about getting the unfading treasure of knowing and living for Christ, read this article on THE PRECIOUSNESS, POWER & PRODUCT OF THE TRUE GOSPEL.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Shalom.