I remember the true story of a man who lived through the German occupation of WWII just a little over 50 years ago. He was a Nazi businessman by the name of Oskar Schindler. His goal in life was to become as rich as he could and live the "good life" for the rest of his days. He created a very large manufacturing plant right outside the Jewish ghetto and used the persecuted Jews as slave labor in his shops. He paid them wages, not much mind you, but the they were happy to get anything they could get at the time. But Mr. Schindler's attitude toward the "good life" began to change as he witnessed the rounding up of the Jewish people of the ghettos, including the one's working for him, and he watched as they were hauled away to Nazi concentration camps. He didn't think too much of it at first except for the fact that his employees were taken and that for everyday they were gone he was losing money. But then he began to hear and even see the atrocities that were being committed against the Jews. As he began to hear and see them mistreated, tortured, and murdered, he decided to do something about it. To make a long story short, this wealthy businessman spent millions in an effort to save as many Jews as he could. By the end of the war he had rescued over 1100 Jews from a horrible Nazi inflicted death. He spent all of his money in this effort and at the end of the war, he was broke. But here is what I find amazing. At the end of the war, as he was about to flee, the workers of his factory, that he had literally bought with his millions in order to rescue them, gathered to say goodbye. They presented him with a ring that they had made that said, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire". It is here that we see his heart. He looks at his car and says, "I could have saved more. This car could have gotten 10 more people." He looks at his golden pin on his coat, "This pin, its gold, two more people". Then he falls to his knees and weeps because he could have saved more. If he would have made more money, he could have rescued even more he lamented.

I think we can see the parallels here. A wealthy businessman willing to lose everything he has worked so hard to attain in order to rescue the physical lives of so many. He is to be commended and applauded for his selflessness and sacrifice. He is revered even to this day by the Jews that he rescued (many are still alive today) and their descendents. It is said that God "bankrupted" heaven in order to pay the price for our sins through Jesus Christ on the cross. Is it asking to much to "bankrupt" our lust for the things of this world so that the Gospel may reach around the globe? That those who have never heard my have the scriptures in their own language and learn of God's Amazing Grace that He paid such a high price for them to hear? Is it asking to much to live in, drive, and wear second or third best so that people may have the chance to hear of a Savior who loves them and died for them? Is it asking to much to live as "strangers and pilgrims" in this land to rescue people from the bondage of sin? American Christians live their lives today as if they are planning to stay!! We seem to be unwilling to sacrifice and wait for the Lord's coming and for Him to set up His Kingdom, we are building our own little kingdoms here and now!! BUT AT WHAT COST!!!! I dare say that we have purchased our homes, cars, clothes, fancy jewelry, etc. with the souls of those who have never heard of the name of Jesus Christ. All so that we may be at "ease in Zion".