The young evangelist was on his way to meet a group of young people with whom he was going to make a spiritual retreat, so that they could have a more personal relationship with Jesus; about to take the bus, and a block away from his house, he was stopped by another young man of about 28 years old, who had several gold chains on his body, next to an expensive car that was driven by another person, who asked him: for you, what is happiness? The man, with a calm tone in his words, answered: the only sure happiness, which brought peace and freedom to my heart, was Jesus Christ!

The man of astonishing appearance said: I had never been made to see things from that point of view; and thanking him, he left in the car. Fifteen years later, someone very grateful, called the then young preacher and with very excited words told him: I was that rich man, who presented himself with material possessions and boundless pride; now, thanks to our eternal Father! Who used you, I gave my goods to the Franciscan community and I am a missionary of Jesus.

What a powerful liberating message from the Son of God!

Proverbs 11:2 NKJV

2 When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

James 1:9-11 NKJV

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Philippians 3:7-10 NKJV

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,