A very wealthy man had one son. In the fall prior to the start on a new school year his wife mentioned that she and their son were going into town to by a new jacket for the upcoming year.

The man asked if there was a problem with the coat worn the previous year... had the boy outgrown it; was there a tear; was it stained?

The boy answered ...  no ... he just wanted a new jacket he had seen and liked

The man asked his son to get the jacket. When he returned, he asked him to put it on.

The boy did.

The father looked at him and said ... we will not be buying a new jacket. This one looks fine.

Son, the reason we are not buying a new jacket has nothing to do with whether we can afford it or not. We can. However, that’s not the point, we can afford a great many things. The fact that we can, doesn’t mean we should.

Someday you will have a fortune available to you.

Many in your position of not earning money, but having money, live lives of ruin, lives of sin ... most are spoiled, selfish and care for nothing but their own satisfaction. Sadly, they think themselves better than others ... they think themselves special, important and in no need of God or forgiveness. They use money to intimidate and hurt.

You are our son. We care about how you will handle the challenges that money will bring.

Always spend money for good reason. Never forget, the world is full of people in need.  Be good to others and do so because it will make your life worthwhile.

Son, you have an obligation and responsibility to use what you have been given to make yourself a better person and, your mother & I hope, to help other people less fortunate.  

Your grandfather taught me something I want you to consider. He said: “There are two words - Selfishness and Selflessness - they both start with self but have vastly different meanings. It is self, yourself, that determines which one you will be.”

It’s not how much money you have that measures success;  it’s what you decide to do with it that determines your true worth.

Jesus knew the wealthy carry a tremendous burden. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and for the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48

You must be a disciplined person who loves God above all else or you will fail the ultimate test that comes to everyone at death.