On tonight, Christmas Eve, as I sit with family, reflect on 2022, and think about what’s to come in 2023, I wonder how many people recall the true story of Christmas and why billions of people all over the world celebrate it.
Due to some wonderful storytelling and amazing marketing by the well-run Western advertising and commercial businesses, one might think Christmas is about a rather unhealthy-looking older man who eats too many cookies and inebriates himself on milk for 24 hours as he races around the globe, somehow managing to fit his rather large belly down ridiculously small chimneys. But that’s not the case.
Although the story of Jesus’ birth seems to be buried more and more in western culture each year, His birth story was the beginning of a life that has transformed and continues to transform cultures and billions of people’s lives for two thousand years.
In recent years, God’s calling on my own life has taken on an unexpected direction with my writing of The Millionaire Choice: Millionaire or Not. You Can Choose. and The Millionaire Choice Podcast: Make the Choice. Create Your Plan. And as I reflect on Jesus' birth this year, I see the story through a new lens.
If you are familiar with the story, then you know the three wise men's roles, but in reality, they were more than just wise men. They were wealthy men, and they were some of the first people that baby Jesus met after he came into the world. They gave Jesus valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
These “rich dudes” were men of prestige. How do we know? Before meeting Jesus, the newborn king, they met with another king, King Herod. These “rich dudes” were of such stature that they were given an audience on the spot, with King Herod having never met him before. I wish I had that kind of influence to float into a town, ask to meet with the king, and get an audience immediately. I’m not there yet, but maybe one day.
Three Rich Dudes. Some of the first people to meet the newborn king. They traveled out o their way to meet a baby, an infant King. They brought him gifts. Money (Gold) and medicines (Frankincense and Myrrh).
The Story of Jesus' Birth
https://www.bible.com/sr/bible/114/LUK.2.NKJV
Many people today get hung up on the concept of wealth. Is it bad? Is it good? The rich people got lucky. They were in the right place at the right time. I don’t want to be wealthy; it’ll hurt me. And my personal favorite, “Money is the root of all evil, " is not even the correct quote! “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” No wonder people struggle with understanding and building wealth with all of these negative mindsets about money running through their minds and hearts!
In 2023, reevaluate your view on money and wealth. Money is just a tool. Wealth is just a state of existence. Don’t be afraid of money. Don’t avoid it. Put a purpose behind your money. The world needs more good-hearted people with money; if the good people don’t have the money, you can bet the bad people do. And you never know when you might get the chance to make a massive difference in the world, just like the three rich dudes.