Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, …
every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
But many that are first will be last, and the last first.
Matt 19: 24-26, 28-30
 
Of course! Why didn’t I think of it yesterday?! “As ye sew, so shall ye reap.” Whatever we give, we get back so many times over. But isn’t that what we find in this life, without waiting for the next? You volunteer your time for a cause and find you get so much out of it, it’s not a sacrifice at all. It’s like you’re the one who benefits. This is God at work.
Remember, remember … all things are possible with God.

Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matt.7: 13-14

We’re always happy to get something for nothing. But if we get something for nothing too often, we finish up not valuing it at all. Anything of value is worth the effort – we can take just pride in our efforts when we work hard at studies, apply ourselves at work and get a promotion, save to buy a house, car or even a special holiday. Most of all, the really worthwhile relationships are those we work at, there’s no other way to do it – with family, friends, God. We can number our friends on Facebook – 100, 200, 700, 1,000. But these are people we might know, or they might be friends of friends …. of friends. Or passing acquaintances. Not unpleasant, but superficial. True friends, the ones who will stand by us through thick and thin, come through us being there for them. It’s a whole lot more than clicking ‘like’. We need to really know the other in the depths of their being through spending time with them, listening to them, sharing with them. It takes effort and it’s not always easy. But the rewards are great.
Thank you God for the friends I have. Bless them for the efforts they put into knowing and loving me.