Tag: success

God Owns Everything—We Are Stewarts
God’s Gifts Are Meant for Eternity

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20

Every good thing we possess is a gift from God.

Our health, our strength, our talents, our homes, our families, our friendships, and even the opportunities placed before us each day come from His loving hand. We often speak about what we have “earned,” but behind every accomplishment stands the God who gave us life, the ability to work, and the blessings that made success possible.

The Book of James reminds us:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
— James 1:17

Because everything belongs to God, we are not owners—we are stewards.

God entrusts us with His gifts for a time. He asks us to use them wisely, to care for our families, to strengthen our communities, to help those in need, and above all, to glorify Him.

When success comes, thank Him.

When prosperity comes, thank Him.

When health is strong, thank Him.

And if one day He chooses to take those blessings back, thank Him again for allowing you to enjoy them for however long He saw fit.

Job understood this profound truth after losing nearly everything he possessed:

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
— Job 1:21

Those words are not easy to live, but they reveal a heart that trusted God more than possessions.

Keep Your Eyes on Eternity

Life moves quickly.

The house we build will someday belong to someone else.

The car we proudly drive will eventually wear out.

Money comes and goes.

Even our earthly bodies grow older.

Everything around us is temporary.

Only one thing lasts forever—our eternal soul.

That is why Jesus continually reminded His followers to keep their hearts fixed on Heaven.

Every decision we make should be measured against one simple question:

Will this help bring me closer to God and prepare me for eternity?

When we keep our eyes on Heaven, disappointments lose much of their sting, and successes become opportunities to praise God rather than ourselves.

Living for the Eternal Reward

It is interesting how faithfully we obey the rules of our employer.

We arrive at work on time.

We follow company policies.

We complete assignments.

We strive to do our best because, at the end of the week, we expect a paycheck.

Yet that paycheck may be spent before the day is over. Bills are paid, groceries are bought, expenses arise, and the money is gone.

How strange it is that many people work so diligently for rewards that disappear, while giving so little attention to the reward that never fades.

God has already shown us the path to eternal life.

He calls us to:
- Keep His Commandments.
- Love God with all our heart.
- Love our neighbor as ourselves.
- Practice humility, charity, patience, honesty, forgiveness, and purity.
- Receive His grace through prayer and the sacraments.
- Live lives that reflect Christ.
Unlike an earthly employer, God does not ask us to earn His love. He freely offers it. But He does ask us to respond with faithful, obedient hearts.

The Virtues Build the Road to Heaven

The saints remind us that holiness is not usually found in dramatic moments but in ordinary faithfulness.

Each act of kindness…

Each quiet prayer…

Each sacrifice made for another…

Each temptation resisted…

Each word of forgiveness…

These become stepping stones leading toward Heaven.

Virtue shapes our character until we begin to resemble Christ Himself.

The more we practice love, humility, generosity, courage, patience, and faith, the more prepared our souls become for eternal life.

Our Greatest Investment

Wise investors look for what will produce lasting returns.

Jesus tells us that the greatest investment we can ever make is not in the stock market, real estate, or a retirement account.

Our greatest investment is in eternity.

Every prayer offered with love…

Every act of mercy…

Every soul encouraged…

Every sacrifice made for God…

These are treasures that can never be lost.

They accompany us beyond the grave.

A Final Thought

God has blessed each of us in different ways.

Cherish those blessings.

Use them for His glory.

Love your family.

Serve your community.

Help those who cannot repay you.

And if life changes tomorrow, remember to thank God for every blessing He allowed you to enjoy.

Above all, keep your eyes, your mind, and your soul fixed on Heaven.

Everything else will one day pass away.

But eternal life with God will never end.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
— Mark 8:36

May we spend our lives not merely earning a paycheck that lasts a day, but pursuing the Kingdom that lasts forever.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

P.S. Please Click Here to learn about the THM mission and join us in building a loving, carying, sharing community.
July 26, 2026
Living in the Light of Eternity

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33** —

Looking Beyond Today Throughout the history of the Church, the saints have shared one remarkable characteristic: they learned to see everything in the light of eternity.

Every joy, every sorrow, every success, and every trial was viewed not merely from the perspective of today, but from the perspective of Heaven.

This eternal vision did not make them indifferent to suffering. Instead, it gave them the wisdom to place every earthly event in its proper proportion.

Many of our fears, discouragements, resentments, and conflicts become overwhelming because we unconsciously magnify temporary events until they seem permanent.

A harsh word, an unexpected disappointment, financial concerns, illness, or the opinions of others can grow so large in our minds that they eclipse everything else.

Yet Scripture reminds us that these things are passing. Eternity alone lasts forever.

Seek First the Kingdom Jesus gives us the foundation for living with peace: >

**”Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”** > *(Matthew 6:33)*

Notice that Jesus does not tell us to ignore our responsibilities or pretend that difficulties do not exist. Rather, He teaches us to place first things first.

When God’s Kingdom becomes our highest priority, everything else begins to fall into its proper place. Our worries lose much of their power.

Success becomes an opportunity for gratitude rather than pride. Failure becomes an opportunity for growth rather than despair. Even suffering takes on new meaning because we know it is not the end of the story.

Present Suffering and Eternal Glory No one understood suffering better than the Apostle Paul. He endured imprisonment, persecution, beatings, shipwrecks, rejection, hunger, and constant danger. Yet in the midst of these hardships, he wrote: >

**”For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”** > *(Romans 8:18)* He also wrote: > **”For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”** > *(2 Corinthians 4:17)*

Paul was not dismissing suffering. His own life proves otherwise. Rather, he was magnifying eternity. Compared with everlasting joy in the presence of God, even life’s greatest trials become temporary.

The Wisdom of the Saints The saints became holy not because they escaped suffering, but because they learned to keep their eyes fixed on Christ. Their perspective shaped every virtue they practiced.

Humility replaced pride because they remembered that only God is great. Patience overcame frustration because they trusted God’s timing.

Charity overcame resentment because they knew mercy lasts forever. Hope conquered discouragement because Heaven was always before their eyes.

Peace grew because they knew this world is not our final home. Whenever difficulties arose, they returned their hearts to eternity.

When Small Things Become Too Big Many of life’s emotional burdens grow because we give temporary problems eternal importance.

An argument lasting only minutes can disturb us for days. One criticism can overshadow years of faithful work. A disappointment can convince us that our future is ruined. Financial setbacks can make us forget God’s faithful providence.

We begin to believe that today’s circumstances define our lives. But they do not. When we remember eternity, our perspective changes. The problem may still exist, but it no longer occupies the center of our hearts. We realize that what feels overwhelming today may one day be only a small step on our journey toward God.

An Eternal Perspective Changes Everything Living with eternity in mind does not eliminate pain. Christ Himself suffered. The apostles suffered.

The saints suffered. We will also experience sorrow, disappointment, and loss. Yet an eternal perspective transforms how we carry these burdens.

It gives us courage to persevere. It teaches us to forgive more readily. It helps us let go of unnecessary worries. It reminds us that faithfulness is more important than comfort.

Most importantly, it fills our hearts with hope because God’s promises are greater than today’s troubles. —

Conclusion

Scripture tells us that life is like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Eternity, however, never ends. The saints understood this truth so deeply that it shaped every decision they made.

Their eyes were fixed not merely on the circumstances around them, but on the Kingdom of God. May we learn to do the same.

When we seek first God’s Kingdom, our fears begin to shrink, our hope begins to grow, and our hearts discover the peace that comes from knowing that every act of faith, every sacrifice, every prayer, and every moment of perseverance echoes into eternity.

For in the end, it is not today’s troubles that define our lives—it is the everlasting glory that God has promised to those who love Him.

Focusing on Eternity With God In Heaven as what I want more than anything has greatly enhanced my peace, love, and joy. I hope and pray it does the same for you.

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July 1, 2026
The Four Person Question

A few days ago I asked myself a simple question:

“If I found a legitimate opportunity that could help people create additional income, could I think of four people who might benefit?”

The answer came immediately.

A family member struggling with bills.

A friend worried about retirement.

A small business owner fighting rising costs.

A rural community looking for ways to keep services available.

What surprised me was realizing that success doesn’t necessarily require a large network. Sometimes all it takes is one person who sees the value and takes action.

The opportunity I’m involved with has a very low one-time startup cost—less than many people spend on a meal out—and future growth is funded from earnings rather than additional purchases.

Whether it’s right for everyone is a different question. But it did make me think about how many people around us are looking for practical ways to improve their financial situation.

Perhaps the better question isn’t whether you know four people.

Perhaps it’s whether you know one.

If you’d like to learn more, here’s the information:

Click Here.

— Rick Herring

June 10, 2026
Make Money With No Money
Turning Nothing into Something: A Life-Changing Lesson in Entrepreneurship

In a world where many believe that success requires capital, connections, or privilege, stories occasionally emerge that challenge this assumption. One such powerful narrative is told in the video How to Make Money Without Money. A Life Changing Story, which highlights how creativity, courage, and persistence can transform even the humblest beginnings into meaningful success.

The Power of Starting with Nothing

At the heart of the story is a young boy—just 16 years old—who had no money, no resources, and no business background. What he did have, however, was something far more valuable: a simple recipe and the willingness to act.

This immediately reframes a common misconception. Many people delay pursuing opportunities because they feel unprepared or under-resourced. But the story demonstrates that resourcefulness matters more than resources. The boy didn’t wait for perfect conditions—he started with what he had.

Seeing Opportunity Where Others Don’t

One of the most important lessons from the story is the ability to recognize value in ordinary things. A simple recipe might seem insignificant, but the boy saw its potential. Instead of dismissing it, he asked a precipe,courage, comfort,owerful question:

“How can I turn this into something valuable?”

This mindset is what separates entrepreneurs from spectators. Opportunities are rarely obvious—they are often hidden in plain sight, waiting for someone to act.

Courage Over Comfort

Starting without money requires boldness. The boy had to step outside his comfort zone, take risks, and face uncertainty. Whether it was approaching people, offering his product, or dealing with rejection, every step required courage.

This highlights a key truth:
Fear is inevitable, but growth comes from moving forward anyway.

Too often, people wait until they feel confident. But confidence is usually built after taking action, not before.

Persistence: The Real Game-Changer

No success story is complete without struggle. The boy’s journey was not instant or easy. There were setbacks, doubts, and challenges along the way.

What made the difference was persistence.

Instead of giving up when things got tough, he kept going. This resilience is often the defining factor between those who succeed and those who don’t. Talent and ideas matter—but consistency and determination matter more.

Lessons for Everyday Life

While the story is about making money, its lessons extend far beyond business:
- Start where you are – You don’t need perfect conditions.
- Use what you have – Even small assets can become big opportunities.
- Take action – Ideas are useless without execution.
- Stay consistent – Success is built over time, not overnight.
Conclusion

This life-changing story reminds us that success is not reserved for the privileged—it is accessible to anyone willing to think differently and act boldly. The journey from nothing to something is not easy, but it is possible.

Ultimately, the message is simple yet profound:
You don’t need money to start—you need mindset, courage, and persistence.

If you like this article, please leave your feedback and come back for more stories.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

Click Here to view more stories. Click Blog in the upper left hand corner.
March 28, 2026
📖 Your Life: The Greatest Story Still Being Written

✨ Introduction

Your life is one of the most powerful, meaningful stories ever written—unique, unrepeatable, and still unfolding. Each day is a new page, filled with opportunities, lessons, and unexpected blessings. When you begin to see your life as a living story authored with purpose, even the uncertain moments take on deeper meaning.

📚 Every Chapter Has Purpose

There are chapters filled with joy—moments of laughter, success, and connection. There are also chapters that feel heavy, marked by struggle, doubt, or waiting. But just like any great book, every chapter serves a purpose.

Even the parts you wish you could skip are often the ones that shape your character the most. Growth rarely happens in comfort—it happens in the middle of challenges, where faith is stretched and strengthened.

🌅 Turn the Page with Expectation

Instead of fearing what comes next, choose to turn each page with anticipation. What if the next chapter brings unexpected joy? What if something beautiful is already unfolding behind the scenes?

Living with expectation doesn’t mean life will be perfect—it means trusting that something meaningful is always being written, even when you don’t fully understand it yet.

🙏 Trust the Author of Your Story

At times, the plot may feel confusing. You may wonder why certain things happen or why answers don’t come right away. But faith reminds us that the Author sees the entire story—from beginning to end.

When you trust God with your story, you release the pressure of trying to control every outcome. Instead, you learn to walk forward with peace, knowing that every page is part of a bigger, beautiful design.

💫 Embrace the Journey

Take time to reflect on how far you’ve come. Celebrate the victories, learn from the setbacks, and appreciate the small, quiet moments in between.

Your story isn’t just about the destination—it’s about who you become along the way.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Your life is not a finished book—it’s a story still being written. So keep turning the pages with excitement, hope, and faith. The best chapters may still be ahead.

No matter where you are right now, trust this: something meaningful is unfolding. Keep going. Keep believing. And stay expectant for what God will do next.

💬 Call to Action
What chapter of your life are you in right now? Share your thoughts in the comments and encourage someone else who may be walking a similar journey.

Thank yofor reading this article. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

March 24, 2026