A homeless woman slumped against the familiar brick wall of the warehouse, then grouped her plastic shopping bags snugly around her. Next she looped several bag-handles on her legs, and stretched her arms over the rest. The worry of losing to theft any of her treasured possessions kept her vigilant. Once settled, she succumbed to a fitful doze.
A man approached. “Excuse me, ma’am,” he called gently. “Are you Genevieve Bartlett?”
The woman startled awake, instinctively clutching her belongings more tightly. “What if I am?” she grumbled.
“Well, if you can answer a few questions for me, I may have some excellent news for you,” he replied calmly, recognizing that defensiveness in her position was only to be expected.
Genevieve returned his gaze with a scowl, but sat up straighter, readying herself to listen. The questions were easy: what were the names of her deceased parents and grandparents, when and where had she been born, and where had she attended school.
The man handed her his card and began to explain. “My name is Henry Lewis. I’m a lawyer, here to inform you you’re the last surviving Bartlett of your family, and you’ve just inherited fifty million dollars. If you’ll come with me, we can take care of the details at my office, and start the process of…finding a more comfortable situation for you. Would that be to your liking?”
Genevieve didn’t move for several moments. “Fifty million dollars,” she repeated slowly, and studied the lawyer’s face. Could he possibly be telling the truth? But why else would he seek her out at the warehouse?
Genevieve suddenly slipped the bag-handles off her legs, stood up, and announced, “I’m ready, let’s go!” Without even looking back, Genevieve left her shopping bags and their worthless contents on the pavement.
Out of several interpretations for this story, consider the shopping bags as representative of our fears. Don’t we sometimes hold on to them—worthless as they are—as tightly as Genevieve held on to her belongings?
But as God’s children, we possess tremendous wealth, worth much more than fifty million dollars, because “the kingdom of heaven is like treasure” (Matthew 13:44). And unlike Genevieve during her homeless days, we have access to a good part of that treasure now, if we let go of our worries and lay hold of our wealth.
So what might that treasure include? Consider the following:
1. God’s Glorious Provision. Unlike Genevieve, we know a glorious inheritance is waiting for us. Ours is in heaven—an inheritance so magnificent, when we arrive there, we’ll look back on our earthly lives “as an insubstantial dream from which we have happily awoken” (Austin Farrer).
2. God’s Involvement. He is always at work. Take note of his wisdom in creation, his engineering of life-circumstances, and his generosity in the blessings he bestows. God even makes joy available in the midst of trouble.
3. God’s Sovereignty. No doubt Mr. Lewis designed a plan for Genevieve to provide for her well-being. God too has designed a perfect and purposeful plan to accomplish much good, in the world at large and for each of us individually. Whatever we entrust to him, he will take care of much better than we can.
4. God’s Unfailing Love. We can leave our worries behind, as Genevieve did her shopping bags, when we dwell on the lovingkindness of God. In fact, peace of heart is guaranteed–if we keep our focus upon him.
5. God’s Constant Presence. He is always with us—even as we wait for him to act. The attentive person recognizes his presence in the aria of a songbird, the sunbeams of a morning, the spontaneous hug of a friend.
6. God’s Kindness and Care. Surely Genevieve marveled for the rest of her days how Mr. Lewis had changed her life. We can draw strength and great delight from remembering God’s gracious provisions of our past.
7. God’s Powerful Word. Scripture offers indispensable comfort and encouragement, reminding us that God is our protective Shield and dependable Rock, our caring Shepherd and devoted Helper, our loving Provider and strong Confidence.
In these seven ways and more, God generously shares his inheritance with us now, giving us the opportunity to overcome anxiety with joy. After all, every fear about our future, safety, health, suffering, death, financial woes, inadequacy, and events beyond our control are good-for-nothing baggage.
The question becomes: Will I let go of my worthless bags of worries and lay hold of my glorious inheritance?
Scripture Notes for:
- 1 Peter 1:3-4
- Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 94:19
- 2 Chronicles 20:6; Romans 8:28
- Psalm 94:17-18; Isaiah 26:3
- Psalm 23:4
- Psalm 92:4
- Psalm 3:3; 18:2; 23:1; 46:1; 78:23-29; Proverbs 14:26
(Genevieve’s story is based on an illustration from Charles Spurgeon’s sermon, “To Give You the Kingdom.”)
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From the Inside Out 
This brought tears to my eyes because I know of a homeless person who had something similar happen that lifted her out of poverty and yet she continues to reject Christ.
Such a disappointing outcome! How often have we prayed that nonbelievers would see the blessings in their lives as gifts from God and turn to him in gratitude? It doesn’t always happen. BUT! We can’t give up hope!. TODAY might be their day to accept Jesus into their lives. Meanwhile, we continue to pray no matter the evidence we see. I know you do!
Nancy, this article took me back many years ago. My friend and I used to go shopping in downtown Philadelphia and it was commonplace to see people–particularly women–sitting outside department stores with their bags. Some were selling pencils and others were just begging. We called them “bag ladies.” In addition, I would like to pass copies of this out to the participants in our Encouragers group at our next meeting. The topic we will be discussing is “Fear.” I have been researching for materials and, as usual, God dropped this into my lap. Thank you for continuing to bless me with your insight and friendship. Love to you and Steve.
You are most welcome to pass out copies of this post to the Encouragers Group. I am honored! Love to you to, dear friend!
Loe how your weave Christian truth into this story. Fun to imagine if we heard that type of news – how would it change us? Thanks for the wisdom tonight
And thank you for your encouraging comments, Jean!
Ah, the topic that is so relevant to me…anxiety/fear, particularly of the future. This is my new favorite, Nancy. Like ‘jeanwise’, I too loved the weaving of Christian truth into this story. The picture of Genevieve leaving her bags behind was beautiful. And the fact that she was no longer homeless is an illustration that those who belong to Him have a home on high forever! We will have our woes here on earth but someday I will claim my inheritance for all eternity! My challenge is the urge to retrieve that baggage instead of trusting my future to Him. This post gave me many tools to combat fear! The Lord’s promises to us are boundless! Thanks so much!
Praise God you found encouragement here, Cheri. And Amen to: “The Lord’s promises to us are boundless.” There’s great uplift in that reassurance too!
Thank you Nancy. Another inspiring blog and passing along to a very sick friend.
Amen and Amen! How is it going with Steve and you? Love, Janet
I pray this post ministers hope and strength to your friend, Janet. Steve and I are doing well. We won’t see the neurosurgeon until mid-June, but we’re expecting at that time to hear Steve can wean off the anti-seizure meds, travel, and soon be able to drive again. The new liver continues to perform well. We thank God every day for his providential care over us!