Are You On The Road To Heaven?

I was doing some reading today and came across a survey done by Lifeway Research in 2020, I found interesting. I showed that 85% of Americans believe there is something more to life than this percent world. That means one out of every 170 people think that when they die, they will cease to exist.

Our life experiences have taught us the principle of cause and effect. We understand that something causes something else to happen. Therefore, we understand that something does not come from nothing. So, when people think about the universe, they realize the universe did not just pop into existence from nothing. Those who want us to believe the universe exploded into existence from some subatomic particles cannot explain from where those particles came, The truth is intelligent people understand that there is something we do not understand. There is something beyond us. Most of us believe there is more to life than this present world.

Another study reported that 80% of Americans believe in heaven and 67% believe in hell. They also reported the 84% of Americans believe they are going to heaven when they die. The study also reported that the majority of atheists believe there is something beyond this life. They just don’t know what it is. So, 85% of Americans believe there is something more in life than this present world and 80% believe in heaven.

The Wide Gate And The Narrow Gate

I want to ask you a question, “Do you also think you are going to heaven? Most people think they are going to heaven, including everyone who thinks they are a Christian. But the sad truth is that Jesus said that is not true. If you think about Jesus’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about a wide road and a narrow road. His illustration can be found in Matthew 7:13-14. There Jesus said,

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide Where is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gauge is small and the way you narrow that leads to life, and there are a few who find it.

In this illustration, the gates are adjusted to the size of the roads. The second gate is wide and so is the road. That road leads to “destruction” The Greek word for destruction can also be translated as “ruin” or “wasted.” People on that road will be ruined, it refers to hell. The first gate is narrow or small. The Greek word for narrow is different in verse 14. It is thlibo. It refers to a compressed way or a difficult path. It is like a road with high cliffs on each side. Jesus’s message is that this road is difficult to travel. Yet, it is the only one that leads to life – eternal life. Now Jesus did not use this word justo make the illustration interesting, He wants us to know what life is like for anyone who travels this road. Then He added there are few who find it. So, are you almost on the road to heaven? Or are you traveling this road? There are several reasons why people think they are on the road to eternal life.

Seeking Jesus With Wrong Motives

The one reason some people think they are on the road to heaven is that they believe in Jesus, but they came to Jesus with wrong motives. For example, I have known at least 3 people who have said they became a Christian because then God would make them wealthy. Later they were unhappy with God because money was not flowing into their bank account. Other people have claimed to become Christians believing that God would fix their marriage, finances, sickness, give them mental peace, or help them have a joyful life. Some people have been deceived into thinking that God would bless them in some other way if they just became a Christian. Sim who would be so stupid as to reject that type of offer! Sadly they missed what John. 6;26-27 tells us,

Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father God, has set His seal.”

This passage tells us that Jesus was speaking to a group of people who had seen Jesus’s miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. After the miracle, Jesus escaped from their presence and later these people found Him. In this passage we are told they were seeking Jesus in order to have their personal wants satisfied. Notice Jesus rebuked them for only one season. They were seeking Him with the wrong motives. This is a biblical illustration that illustrates there are wrong reasons to seek Jesus. Now let me ask you, ‘ What was your motivation for wanting to become a Christian?

The reason such people are not on the road to heaven is that their faith in Jesus is not real. In 1 Corinthians 15:2, the Apostle Paul warned the people attending the church in the ancient city of Corinth that they might have vain faith. Here is Paul’s warning.

...by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

When Paul said they might have vain faith he meant their faith did not save them. That is, you can have faith in Christ, but it may not save you. The verses that follow suggest that those with vain faith did not fully understand the facts of the gospel – why Christ died and was resurrected.

One example of vain faith is found in Acts 8:13 it tells us about a man named Simon Magus. We are to,d he believed in Christ and was baptized. But in verse 20, Peter said Simon Magus was going to perish. Peter’s comment reveals Simon Magus did not have saving faith. His faith was not real. He wanted to use the power of the Holy Spirit like some magic trick. He had the wrong motivation for professing faith in Christ. Sadly, many people profess to be a Christian for the wrong reason,

Seeking Jesus With Correct Motives

So what is the correct reason to become a Christian? The correct reason is to have one’s sins forgiven. In the next two verses Paul explained the essence of true faith. He said,

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Paul’s message is that true faith believes Christ died for our sins. True faith believes Christ was also resurrected and responds by wanting one’s sins to be forgiven. These people are the ones who are on the narrow road to eternal life.

True Christians Regularly Confess Their Sins

So, how can you know if you are on the narrow road to eternal life? What is the evidence? Notice that in Matthew 7:17-20, Jesus said that we can know those who are on the road to eternal life by their faults. Therefore m I want to talk about one fruit that will exist if you are on that road. 1 John 1:6-10 gives us a very important sign that will exist if you are a Christian. We will start with 1 John 1:6-7 which says,

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin.

Here the Apostle John is referring to people who think they are a Christian , but they had deceived themselves. That is what he means by “If we say we have fellowship with Him, and yet we walk in darkness.” Then in verse 7, he compares walking in darkness to walking in the Light. This helps us understand that the Apostle is referring to people who think they are Christian but are also constantly sinning. That is they are indifferent to their sins. If they are indifferent to their sins, then they are liars, They are not Christians.

Types Of Wisdom

There are three types of wisdom that the Bible covers.

Solomon never asked for wisdom, but it was wisdom that he was asking for but he never mentioned the the word wisdom, but he defined it, he explained the function of wisdom.

I believe many of you realize that you cannot do without wisdom, and that without wisdom you can’t do anything? You see when we Wisdom we have to understand what it is and also you have to understand what it is not. Wisdom is not thinking it is different from thinking. I would rather call it divine reasoning. Reasoning which is beyond thinking reasoning that is divine.

Wisdom is a heavenly commodity. There are three types of wisdom. The first wisdom which is the most important is the godly wisdom then earthly wisdom and then satanic wisdom. There is a need for you to know the difference in the three kinds of wisdom, so you know exactly which one to choose.

So when you pray and you are asking God for wisdom, you have to be specific, you have to really point out which one exactly are you asking God for because the other one is satanic, only the devil can give that one to you.

It is important to know what it is you believe in. from 1 Kings 3, Can you write a meaning or definition of wisdom, Which is the ability to know the meaning and the difference.

If want to know what it wisdom is, it is an ability to discern the difference, knowing the difference that’s wisdom. I will give you the. three definitions. The simplest that you can never forget it’s found The book of Job chapter 28 verse 28: “And unto man he said behold, fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and To depart from evil is understanding. You can’t forget that one. The fear of the Lord that is wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom.”

When a person fears God, it is a sign that he has wisdom. And the fear there, it’s a fear the word there is the same word as a reference. When you revere God, when you honor God, you respect God, that fear is a result of wisdom. So any person no matter how influential he is, as long as they don’t fear God, it’s a clear sign that they just don’t have wisdom. They might have another type of wisdom which is not godly.For you know that you have godly wisdom you see it by the way you respect God For you know that you have Godly wisdom you see it by the way you respect God. Another definition Is the ability to make the right judgment. Wisdom also is the ability to know the difference. It’s an ability to know the difference in people, the difference in situation, the difference in anything you look at.

That ability to know the difference, if you have two friends, if I give you a chance right now to explain the difference can you explain it? That ability is wisdom, between two opinions, between two choices, that ability to know the difference is wisdom. And also to make the right judgment in Escalante 8:1, It says which is to know the interpretation of a thing that’s is wisdom that’s judgment.

So you look at something and you can discern the difference, you have two options, no apply for two jobs and both of them are available for you. Which one should you go for? Do you just look at the salary? do you just focus on the benefits? That calls for wisdom now you know the difference between anything that you look at.

For certain jobs that give you money today but they will not give you anything more than money. You are there just a few months when you begin to realize I should’ve gone for the other job, but during the moment decision wisdom was not available, It wasn’t present to assist you and help you make the right decision, So knowing the difference is wisdom.

Looked at anything, no matter the two things look alike, but it’s rude that discerning ability you can look at two things and you can tail that there is a difference and yet most of the people can’t see the difference, but you can tell that there is a difference. What is the difference? And wisdom will help you describe it and explain the difference that you were seeing.

So you can see right from that point that it is important even before you make a decision to have that discerning spirit do you know exactly what it is that you are shooting before you Start regretting, so wisdom is needed when you were making your decisions and when you are making choices.

Solomon never asked for wisdom, but it was wisdom that he was asking for but he never mentioned a word wisdom, but he defined it, and explain the function of wisdom. Give me an understanding heart to discern between bad and good. Andrew making the right decision in the right judgment.

Do you know that there are many judgments that we do on a daily basis? You can agree with me that even before you bought that shirt that you were wearing it was some kind of engagement, right? If you bought it from a shop, there were several other shirts that were there,and then that one was different from another one and then you judged, And based on the judgment you bought the one that you have.

So we are making judgments on a daily basis no matter that are coming to us that are brought to our attention, We are making judgments even when you hear something about someone, before you can’t believe it you have to first and foremost make a judgment.

But this is what I want to look at now which is very important, a scripture in the book of Ecclesiastes again, I want you to see something there chapter 7:10: “Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou doesn’t not enquire wisely concerning this.”

These words are coming from a wise man. He’s advising you to never say. Say not thou, so this is something you should never say. No matter what happens you should never say say what? What is the cars that the former days are better than these? This is something that you have already said, am I right on that one? What a girl

Emotionally Draining People In Your Life

Friendships are important – not only for our social wellness but also for our emotional, mental, and physical wellness and health. Being around good friends, we feel energized and happy but what if you have friends that are emotionally draining and your energy begins draining and spending time with them leaves you feeling exhausting and stressed out. Then it time to rethink your friendships.

All of us need an outlet, a comforting touch, or a shoulder to cry on when life deals us a challenging hand. Turning to friends and family for comfort seems like a good solution but many times, it can be one sided where one person only vents and the other only comforts.

If you’re the outlet, the shoulder others lean on, it can increase your Rick to develop second-hand anxiety. Helping people we care about, showing compassion, and empathy is good but when your friend’s stress and anxiety becomes your stress and anxiety, it can quickly leave you feeling emotionally and mentally exhausted.

Friend who drain your energy are people who are emotional wrecks almost all the time whenever they are in your company. Even if you aren’t face to face with then, these friends will still leave you feeling low on energy and exhausted.

Here are some signs you can look for to know if your friends are emotionally draining you or not:

  • Your friendship leaves you feeling tired. One of the biggest signs of emotionally draining friends Is that whenever you’re on their company – after you leave then – you feel tired, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
  • You regularly make sacrifices. You often make sacrifices to make sure they are happy, they rarely care about your happiness and needs.
  • Your positive feelings towards them are gradually vanishing, Emotionally draining friends often make you feel anxious and irritated, which in turn, may cause the positive and happy feelings you once had for your friend to disappear with time,
  • You censor your words around them. More often than not, with emotionally draining friends,Nyoman seem to censor your words, thoughts, and ideas. You are hesitant to open up about your feeling fearing their reaction.
  • You can’t ask them for advice. As I mentioned earlier, friends who drain your energy are often emotional messes around you. With them constantly venting their problems, you never get an opportunity to ask them for advice or even their support.
  • You don’t particularly enjoy talking to them. When talking to a friend leaves you low on energy, you feel hesitant to talk to them and even if you do, you don’t enjoy their company.
  • Your friend rarely asks about you. While they constantly vent about the problems in their life to you, they rarely make any effort to know more about your life and health.
  • Your friend is rarely there when you need them. When it comes to venting and asking for advice on problems, you’re always there for them but when you need support or their company, they are rarely there, if ever.
  • Your friend uses guilt when you can’t be there for them. Emotionally draining friends will use manipulation, guilt, or the silent track to make you feel bad for not being there for them when they asked.
  • Your friend loving being the center of attention. Talking to your friend is difficult because the want to be the center of attention and want to steer the conversation towards themselves. This makes you feel dissatisfied and tired.

Here are some effective and healthy ways to deal with emotionally draining friends, co-workers, or relatives:

Set Boundaries

One of the first thing you need to do is set some healthy boundaries. Limit the time you spend with them. If they have a habit of calling you late at night, let them know that while you’re there for them they need to set a time for when they can call you. I do not answer my phone after 8pm.

In the long run, boundaries matter for Maintain a healthy friendship.

Be Honest And Direct

Now that you’ve established your boundaries. It is time, to be honest, and direct with your friend. Communication is key here. Make your friend aware of you noun, of your limits. Most of the time, people are not even aware that they might be using you as a emotional dumping ground. Talk to them, be polite but firm.

Avoid Fixing Their Problems

Your friend needs to understand that while you’re there for them, you are not there to solve or fix problems in their life. You can comfort them, take them out to dinner, have coffee with them, but you cannot become their therapist. Offer them help but let them fix their problems on their own.

Offer Them An Alternative

If you can’t fix their problems, offer them an alternative. Explain to them how their emotional problems are affecting you and offer then sources, information, or suggest a professional who can help them to learn how to cope with their emotions and stress.

Remember, a friend does not equal a therapist.

Keep Your Distance

If it’s a close friend, this can be a little difficult. However, for your better mental and emotional health, distancing yourself from a friend that leaves you feeling exhausted and drained is important. Emotionally distancing yourself from someone you care about is hard but your mental peace is important.

Remember Your Peace matters.

True Peace Is Possible

Have you ever heard “There will never be any peace until we’re all laid to rest?” I’m sure we all know what is meant by this statement.

Life can be a struggle. At times, it is easier to despair over finding peace when trouble seems to jump from the corner.

When difficult times come, many emotions rule our heart and mind. Peace is usually the emotion we sense the least when life turns tipsy-turvy. But this is not God’s plan.

Apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossians and shares how it’s God’s will for the Heavenly Peace is a state of tranquillity or quiet amidst thoughts and emotions. It speaks of freedom from external pressures.

The kind of peace God gives remains. It’s not something that comes and goes depending on our circumstances. Divine peace should govern our lives in all things at all times. When the things of life haunt us – that pile of bills, unexpected expenditure, anxious feelings of inadequacy we long for peace.

Paul says that the peace of Christ gives is fully satisfying. It’s peace of mind, heart, body, and soul. It’s contentment knowing you are in the care of God. Sadly, it’s our sinful, selfish nature that tries to obtain peace by our own efforts. Sometimes we try to persuade God with promises.

If we don’t actively seek God’s help when we’re afraid or facing trouble, we’re probably trusting in our own resources and abilities. In times of doubt and fear, let peace rule.

Heavenly Economics

One person gives freely, yet gains even more, another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Proverbs 11:24)

In this world economics Is often about quickly making the greatest profit and they expense of others. It’s based mainly on greed and And a new first attitude. No it is sometimes called the pursuit of happiness, it will never satisfy our deepest needs or longings.

There is also what we might call “heavenly economics.” It gives free reign to generosity, love, and goodwill. It turns the selfish vicious cycle of greed on its head and flashes of heavenly sunshine beam through.

We can hear echoes of this in our problems today. Do you know if people forgive the debt, as they have been forgiven, and ripples of love spread outward. That’s an example of amazing grace in the midst of worldly economics, building up pressure and heaven.

Maybe you have seen the old movie it’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a story it a story about George Bailey, Whose savings and loan business loans out money at low interest showing that low income people and buy a home. But then something goes wrong: One day George uncle loses track of a bundle of money on the way to the bank, and that puts you’re in danger of going bankrupt. In the end though, you were just rescued by the towns people, Who give him all the cash he needs because he’s always treated them with goodwill.

Let’s fall God lending and lives your generously and In goodwill. Greed and selfishness only lead to ruin.

Prayer

Lord, “ your will be done on earth as it is in heaven… for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” Amen.

What was freely given to me, I freely give.

What would a better world it would be if we all believed this Motto.

God Tests The Righteous

Have you ever felt like God has left you high and dry? That He doesn’t care about you?

The Christian life is filled with trials and tests, When we undergo these trials, only we know the real pain. Indeed, others may not feel what were going through

But these trials in our Christian journey should not make us frail. Scripture says “The Lord tests the righteous “ The reason our God tests us, is for a glorious purpose. That purpose is to refine us and make us eligible to be with Him forever.

We should never get tired of facing trials. Instead, we should ask the Lord what He wants us to learn going through the trial. With the help of God, we can overcome everything test that we go through. That is how faithful one in the Bible overcame their sufferings. So, let us remember that God loved us and that is the reason He tests us. But, He hates the wicked and their destruction will come. If we overcome all our trials we will receive our glorious reward, in due time.

Psalm 11

Types Of Angels In The Bible

There are 5 types of Angels in the Bible. Today I want to share with you a little about angels.

Angels are one of those fun topics to learn about. So let’s Learn about God’s messengers and how they function in the spirit realm.

Believing and understanding how angels operate is important for Christians. Too many times we think angels are just going around about the earth watching people and protecting them. And in some cases yes they protecting, but that’s only a small part of what they do.

We need to realize that angels are so much more than our personal bodyguards. They act as God’s agents on earth:

  • They Guide us – Exodus 23:20
  • They do the will of God and help us to accomplish God’s will – Psalm 103: 19-22
  • They encourage and minister to us – Hebrews 1:14, Judges:6
  • They send messages from God to us – Luke 1:13

And so much more.

In Scripture the visitation of an angel is always alarming; they have to begin by saying “Fear not.” The Victorian angel looks as if it were going to say, “There, there.”

C.S. Lewis

No matter how much we chuckle at this, there is truth to that quote. For us to really understand angels we can not look at man’s ideas or thoughts on it. But we have to look to God and His Word.

When God created the Heavens and the Scripture we can see five types of angels. These Types of Angels are:

  • Archangels
  • Cherubim
  • Seraphim
  • The Living Creatures
  • Common Angels

Archangels

Archangel are probably the most well known type of angel. But from the name it might be more of rank the a rank then an actual type. The word arch means, “Chief.”

This gives us the idea that there is a ranking or class of angels in heaven. (Colossians 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:9-10) The word Archangel is only seen twice in Scripture and both times are in the New Testament.

The only named archangel is Michael, but many classify Gabriel as a. Archangel since he referred throughout Scripture. (Old Testament and New) It also states in Luke 1:19 that he stands in the presence of God.

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to condemn him for slander but said. “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them to meet then in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (Thessalonians 4:16)

From these two scriptures we can come to the conclusion that these types of angels carry some level of authority.

Cherubim

Most of the time we think cherubs are these cute little- naked babies flying around with wings. Those are actually called putti angels. At least that’s what Renaissance and Victorian artists depicted. But that’s not what in found in scripture.

The Prophet Ezekiel describes these amazing spiritual beings as:

And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and doors of their feel were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four faces and their wings touched one another,

Each on of them went straight forward, without turning as they went As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four face the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had had the face of an eagle.

Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. And each went straight forward. Wherever tthd the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. (Ezekiel 1:5-11)

As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fit went forth lightning. And the living creatures darted to and fro, like a flash of lightning. (Ezekiel 1;

Cherubs are seen throughout Scripture as angels who guard (as in the garden of Eden) and surround the ark of the covenant, tabernacle, and temple. Lucifer is also considered an anointed cherub.

Seraphim

These angels are all about the presence of God. They fly around the throne room declining the holiness of God. According to the strong’s Concordance Saraph is described as – “Burning.” These angels are on fire, worshiping the God the all-consuming Fire!

These are majestic beings with six wings, that cry out to each other about the holiness of God. We only see these angels ment in the book of Isaiah.

In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on the throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him we’re seraphim, each with six wings; With two wings they covered their faces, with two that covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

At the sound of their voices, the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me! Isaiah cried. “I am ruined For I am a man of unclean lips; and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to him with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the alter. With it he touched Isaiah’s mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

The Living Creatures

These angels are known as “living beasts” or “the four beasts.” They minister by worshiping and glorifying God. Some believe that these angels saw that Isaiah in a vision which he calls seraphim.

It’s hard to know since both descriptions in Isaiah are similar to those in Revelation yet not clear enough to know for sure.

In the center, around the throne were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a ox, the third had a face on a man, and the forth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures with eyes all around, even under it’s wings. Day and night they never stopped saying:

“Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty ‘ who was, and is, and is to come.”

Whenever the living creatures give glory, homor and thanks to Him who sets on the throne and who live for ever and ever, (Revelation 4:6-9)

Common Angels

This may seem like a broad way to categorize angels, but these angels don’t seem to fall into an angelic type or rank in the Bible. This doesn’t mean they are not powerful beings. They still work for God and do His work.

Don’t forget to hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

I love this verse because they are working among us. We can also see this in the account of Peter and His angel. (Acts 12:15)

Perhaps one day when we are in Heaven we will understand these angels more.

Is Giving Really Giving

Any believe the idea that “charity begins at home,” and strive to live by this principle. However, the word “charity” can have negative connotation as well, with some believing charity can lead to dependence and entitlement. That negativity often comes from getting a hand out versus a hand up.

What’s the difference? There are many third-world countries where a trip to the dentist is not only cost-prohibitive, it’s logically very difficult the full day trip to get to the dentist means an adult doesn’t get to work that day and possibly forfeits the ability to feed himself and his family.

And not only is there a loss of time, but there’s also the actual cost of care being provided. Sacrifice dental health in favor of dinners is probably an easy choicece.

A Dentist by the name of Roy Hammond from Utah decided to take it experience somewhere that adults and children had no place to get proper dental care. Which led to an organization called “Smiles for Hope” this organization has gone to 100 humanitarian missions to places like Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Nepal treating more than 120 people a day in remote areas that requires hours of riding a bus. But there’s a unique twist in how Smiles for Hope helps these people.

Skin In The Game

This dental care isn’t provided as just charity. People receiving care are required to pay from $1 to $3 per treatment which is a large amount of money where the average per-day earning is $1. The money is to make sure they “have skin in the game” making them even more invested in their own dental health.

The difference is the attitudes of the children attending the dental clinic are striking. In the Dominican Republic, children waited calmly and respectfully for their turn to see the dentist or the hygienist, while the children in places where dental care was pure charity sometimes they were less than polite or grateful. The Dominican Republic children were clearly impacted by the skin in the game attitude of their parents, which served as an excellent example as these children grew up to have their own children.

Paying It Back

What’s even more interesting is how these people – mostly mothers – have been able to earn the funds to care for their families, and become self-reliant. Many are getting micro-loans from Esperanza International an organization founded in 1995 by a former major league baseball player to provide these loans to impoverished families and businesses to improve economic development, and pull communities out of poverty.

In the Dominican Republic, the average micro-loan is about $200 and is provto those who come up with viable entrepreneurial business ideas. The interest rate on these loans is 21 percent, This may seem high but that interest rate allows Esperanza to send instructors to these communities to teach budding entrepreneurs about running a business, paying taxes, and growing their businesses which gets them more than just monetary value from the micro loan.

One great example is a mother who narrowed her first $200 purchased a standing shade tarp and opened for business as a hairdresser. Another woman had narrowed and repaid more than 15 microloans which ultimately put her in a position to develop several buildings, including a church, a strip makk, and a clinic for dental students. All for betterment of her community. Esperanza International has a 98.5 percent loan payoff rate.

Teaching To Fish

The well-worn out saying “ Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime” couldn’t be more applicable here.

This then is the difference between giving a hand up instead of a hand out.