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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Poor (08/29/24)
Mario was a 17-year-old high school student finishing up another long day of classes. He was gathering his books when his classmate, Jasper, swaggered over, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Hey, Mario," Jasper sneered. "You ever looked in the mirror lately?"

Mario looked up, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"You're poor, man. Just look at yourself."

Mario’s brow furrowed. “Poor? I’m not poor!”

“Oh, but you are,” Jasper said, leaning against the locker with a smug grin. “Look at your clothes: outdated, and you haven’t had a decent haircut in months. You don’t have the latest fashions, flashy jewelry, or tattoos. Everyone else is stepping up their game, and you, well, you're stuck.”

Mario’s cheeks flushed, but he stood his ground. "So? What do my clothes have to do with being poor?"

Jasper chuckled condescendingly, gesturing to himself. "Look at me, Mario. You gotta flaunt what you have. People know I’m rich because I show it through my style, my image, even where my family lives. Everything about us screams success."

Mario was quiet for a moment, considering Jasper’s words. His eyes lingered on Jasper's designer clothes, the glinting watch on his wrist, and the casual way Jasper tossed around words like “rich” and “success.” But something deeper stirred within Mario, something Jasper couldn’t see. Mario looked him square in the eye.

"You know," Mario began, his voice calm but firm, "you’ve got all the outside stuff: clothes, money, status. But what’s in your heart? Are you rich there?"

Jasper blinked, caught off guard. His swagger faltered, and he scoffed, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Don’t change the subject. We’re talking about how poor you are compared to me."

Mario smiled softly, sensing a shift in the moment. He decided to press on. "I’m not changing the subject. I’m just suggesting there’s more to being rich than what you own. Sure, your family has wealth: money, gadgets, a nice house. But have you ever thought about being poor in spirit?"

Jasper frowned. "Poor in spirit? What does that even mean?"

"It means recognizing that real wealth isn’t about what you can show off. It’s about what’s inside: your character, your soul, your connection to something bigger than just material things. Being ‘poor in spirit’ means admitting that you need more than just stuff to be fulfilled. It’s about seeking something deeper, something you can’t buy."

Jasper crossed his arms, still skeptical but listening. "You’re talking about, like, religion or something?"

Mario nodded, his voice steady. "I’m talking about the kind of wealth that can’t be measured by money or possessions, the kind of wealth that can’t be taken away: your faith, your inner peace, your purpose. You could lose everything tomorrow, Jasper: your house, your clothes, your money. But the wealth I’m talking about? It’s eternal."


Jasper stared at Mario, his face unreadable. For the first time, he seemed unsure of himself. After a long pause, he sighed, looking down at his shoes. "I never thought about it like that."

Mario nodded, seeing the glimmer of realization in Jasper’s eyes. "You’ve been rich in things but poor in your innermost being. Maybe it’s time to seek a different kind of wealth."

And for the first time, Mario saw something change in Jasper’s eyes: a spark of something deeper, something more valuable than all the material wealth in the world.

Jasper took a deep breath, looking back at Mario with a newfound respect. "You’re right. I’ve been focused on the wrong kind of riches. How do I…how do I get that kind of wealth in spirit?"

Mario smiled, placing a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. "You’ve already taken the first step by recognizing you need more. Jesus is the answer. Accepting Him as your Savior is where you’ll find true riches that last forever."

Jasper was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I think I want that."
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
09/06/24
Oh to be bold in such circumstances!
Blessings
Kristine Stanton
09/07/24
God grants us many opportunities to share our faith with others—to share His Word. It is up to us to grasp these opportunities — to be bold and stand in faith in His Word. You did an excellent job expressing just this. You also exhibited how we are to be patient and humble when confronted with challenges—our words should be chosen wisely to bring glory and honor to the LORD. Your story of faith was beautifully expressed.