The Richest Man in the Valley — E.A. Johnston

The False Promise of Wealth

Well, I can't wait to share this message with you today friends, and I know you want to hear it. It's about money and riches and rich men. We put a lot of emphasis on being rich today. We idolize our rich Celebrities and we do all we can to dress like them and be like them.

We want to wear the same designer clothes they wear. We long to drive the Ferrari and the Lamborghini. They drive. We want to live in the Beverly Hills mansion. They live in. We want to be rich like them.

We want to emulate them. But why is that? Because our society today flaunts a culture of the rich and famous and they hold it up as the Very means to achieving happiness and life. I used to believe that.

I Used to believe that if I had money, I'd be happy in life. I used to make a lot of money and I drove fancy cars and traveled all over the world and when I did I Stayed at the most exclusive hotels where the rich and famous stayed because I wanted to be just like them.

I had convinced myself That it was the one who had the most toys at the end of life. Who was the biggest winner in life? That was my mindset. It may be your mindset as well friends. Well, I've got two stories to tell you today.

The Rich Young Ruler and Eternal Life

One is short and it's from the Bible and the other is a little longer as it comes from life. The title of my message today friends is the richest man in the valley. I Know you're not gonna want to miss it.

So sit up straight and pay attention and get the wax out of your ears. So you can hear it. The first story is a familiar one. Sometimes a familiar story goes in one ear and out the other. Because we've heard it before.

But a good story is like a beautiful woman. You never get tired of looking at her. I used to be married to a beautiful woman. In fact, she was so drop-dead gorgeous. We could hardly go out in public without her turning the heads of every man in a room.

I never grew tired of looking at her. She was so beautiful a good story. Is like that you never grow tired of it. Well, this first story is found in my Bible in the gospel of Mark. It's found in chapter 10 beginning in verse 17.

You may have heard it before but let me read it to you now friends and When he was gone forth into the way. There came one running and kneeled to him and asked him good master. What shall I do that? I may inherit eternal life and Jesus said unto him Why callest thou me good?

There is none good, but one that is God. Thou knowest the commandments. Do not commit adultery. Do not kill do not steal do not bear false witness defraud not honor the father and mother. And he answered and said unto him Master all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus Beholding him loved him and said unto him One thing thou lackest. Go that way. Sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor and thou shall have treasure in heaven and come take up the cross and follow me.

And He was sad at that saying and went away grieved for he had great possessions. I will stop there friends. There's two things I want to bring to your attention here first Jesus loved him. In verse 21 it states then Jesus Beholding him loved him.

Jesus' Love and the Danger of Riches

Why wouldn't God love what he has created? Don't ever let someone convince you that Jesus doesn't love the sinner. My Bible never says that. In fact, it states we love him because he first loved us. Jesus didn't love me after I got saved.

Jesus loved me when I wasn't saved there'd been no hope for me otherwise. Secondly this young man was a rich man, but he let his riches get between him and God. It's ironic friends because the only reason he was rich was because God had made him.

So all our riches come from God. What we have he's given to us. He declares he owns it all the silver is mine and the gold is mine. Say it the Lord of hosts. Maybe we have a thing that's standing between us and God and we don't want to give that up as well.

But listen to me friends. The reality is this this young man who was a rich young ruler ended up one day. Eventually parton with all his worldly possessions. After all when it became time for him to die.

He couldn't take his gold with him and his soul left this world for another world. He was quite unprepared for. Well, I mentioned that before. I had two stories. I Wanted to share with you today friends.

Old Hans and the Richest Man in the Valley

That was the first one in here is the second one. It's about another rich man and this old boy was known as the richest man in the valley. Cannot tell it to you now. It goes like this. There was an old man named Hans and he was a farmhand to wealthy landowner.

Old Hans Was a faithful employee to this rich man. One day the wealthy landowner was out riding his black stallion and Surveying his vast property when he came upon old Hans. Hans was sitting on the ground Eating his lunch.

Hans. How are you today? asked the landowner. Hans replied. Oh It is you sir. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you coming. I've grown a little deaf lately. I was just sitting here giving thanks to my lord for the meal, which he is giving me today.

The wealthy landowner glanced down at the meager meal of a hard piece of bread and a Piece of fried pork that the old man was eating. The landowner commented Hans is that the kind of food you're thanking God for.

I would feel quite deprived If they were all I had for dinner. Old Hans smiled and replied God has been good to me. He has kept me employed on your farm these many years. I worked for your father for a long time before you were born, sir.

Just then Hans stood up and approached the man on the black stallion. Hans said sir, may I share with you my dream that I had last night? Why. Certainly the rich man replied well, sir, I Dreamed about the heavenly gates of glory last night, and I heard a voice speak to me in the dream and I feel I should share with you what the voice said because It may be a warning to you.

What did the boy say asked the rich man. Old Hans replied in a serious tone. The voice said that the richest man in the valley would die tonight. Then I woke up sir. Those solemn words were spoken. So plainly I haven't been able to forget them or get them out of my mind sense.

Feel all to tell you perhaps it is a warning. The landowner's face grew pale, but he tried to laugh it off. Nonsense, you may believe in a place called heaven. But I do not and I certainly don't believe in any voice you heard from heaven.

Good day Hans. With that the rich man grabbed the reins of his black stallion and rode off in a cloud of dust. Old Hans shrugged his shoulders and went back to his lunch. But the rich man could not eat his fine dinner that evening.

The lobster remained uneaten on his golden plate. Even his glass of champagne Seemed bitter to him that night. He could not get those words of Hans out of his mind. The words The richest man in the valley shall die tonight.

The landowner thought to himself. Surely I am the richest man in this entire valley. For I own most of it, but that old fool Hans. He should never told me his dream. But I won't let the silly words of a ignorant old man disturb me.

But soon the rich man felt ill he had trouble breathing and finally in Desperation he called for the town doctor. By the time the doctor arrived it was late and as he came up the steps to the stately home.

He found the rich man in the parlor in a terrible state of anxiety. The doctor tried to calm him and he gave him a thorough examination. But he could find nothing wrong with the desperate man. He gave the distressed patient a pill to relax him and told him to get some rest.

Suddenly the doorbell rang. But the rich man yelled out in a voice of panic. Who could be calling at this time of night? The doctor walked to the door and opened it. There stood a young farm boy and he was crying.

Sorry to disturb you sir. But I must tell you that old Hans died suddenly this evening. I thought you'd like to know. Yes friends the richest man in the valley died that night. A man Who had a walk with God that money couldn't buy.

The Rich Fool and Being Rich Toward God

Old Hans died rich toward God. Jesus declared Take heed and beware. Covetousness for a man's life consisteth not in the Abundance of the things which he possesses and he spake a parable unto them saying.

But the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully and he thought with it himself Saying what shall I do? Because I have no room where to bestow my fruits and he said this will I do. I will pull down my barns and build greater and there Will I bestow all my fruits and my goods and I will say to my soul.

So thou hast much goods light up for many years. Take thine ease eat drink and be merry. But God said unto him Thou fool. This night thy soul should be required of thee. Then whose should those things be which thou hast provided.

Coming to Jesus as Savior and Lord

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. Friend, do you know Jesus? I didn't ask if you knew about him That he died on a cross at Calvary for sinners like me. But if you knew him The cross is the place where men tried to get rid of him.

But by his death it becomes the very place where saving power flows out to all who come in repentance. Confessing they are sinners and own them as their Savior and Lord. If you don't know this Jesus friend Don't turn your back on him and walk away.

You'll be missing out on the greatest thing in the world. Don't walk away like that rich young man did. No one what he knows now is he roasts in the torments of hell if he had a chance to Do it all over again.

Jesus as Treasure, Refuge, and Living Water

That rich young man would have gladly parted with every dime. He had to have Jesus as his Savior and to have and possess eternal life. Jesus is the only remedy and refuge for sin. Jesus is the found buried treasure.

Jesus is the pearl of great price worth selling off for. Come to this Jesus friend and cast all you are and all you have on him. And own them as your Savior and Lord. At the last day the feast Jesus stood and cried if any man thirst Let him come on to me and drink he Death believeth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living water.

Come to this Jesus friend, but come to this Christ. Who is the friend of sinners?