Last month, the world was unfortunately introduced to a 22-year-old man named Elliot Rodger. His father is a Hollywood movie director, and he was raised in a $1 million home. He drove a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW. He bought $300 sunglasses, was chauffeured in limousines, attended private concerts, and flew first class. He had everything money could buy. But on Friday, May 23rd, he killed six people because, according to a YouTube video he left behind, he was frustrated and angry because women showed no interest in him.

With money and privileges that most people could only dream of, you would think that Elliot Rodger would be one of the happiest people on earth. But he wasn’t. By his own admittance, he was angry and bitter at the world. While psychologists and psychiatrists debate his mental state and try to come up with a plausible reason why this man would kill his own roommates and then kill three others, one thing we know for sure is that no matter how much money he had, he was not happy, content, or satisfied with his life.

Sadly, today, many people focus on pursuing things that money can buy. And what is even more sad is that people actually look for fulfillment and meaning in these things. They look for happiness in cars, houses, success, sex, money, and more money. They quickly find out, though, that life is about far more than success and gaining material things. They realize that what they are really searching for is happiness, joy, love, internal peace and assurance for the future — all things that money can’t buy.

These things last forever and keep our hearts at rest during times of turmoil and conflict. Money cannot buy such things. Only a person can give them to us. And that person is Jesus Christ.

Christ alone can give us peace and joy. In John 16:33, He said, “…in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He also said in John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Christ alone can love us unconditionally with a love that never ends. Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Christ alone can give us eternal life. In John 10:28, he said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Christ alone can give us rest and set our hearts at ease in this turbulent world. In Matthew 11:28-29 he said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

You can have all of these things that money can’t buy by giving your life to Jesus Christ today. No matter how much money you have, you will never gain these things that matter most. Let Jesus take over and let Him provide fulfillment, happiness, joy, peace, love, and eternal assurance about your future in a way you can only dream of.

If you want to give your life to Jesus Christ, please take the following steps.

First, recognize that your sins have separated you from God. Our sins are the bad or wrong things that we do. In honest repentance, agree with God about your sinfulness and admit your need for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Because of our sins, we are automatically sentenced to die and go to an awful place called hell. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” Revelation 21:8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” This is what happens to those who die without giving their life to Jesus Christ while they have a chance.

Second, realize that God loves you, and believe that his sinless Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins –taking the punishment that we deserve. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, we do not have to go to Hell. We can be saved from that terrible place.

Third, accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to receive salvation by trusting him by faith to be your Savior. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you trust Jesus Christ for salvation, you will be saved from sin, spiritual death, and hell, and you will be guaranteed a place in Heaven. You will find that Jesus Christ is the source of all peace, love, joy, fulfillment in this life, and eternal life — all things that money can’t buy. If this is your heart’s desire, you can pray a short prayer to let God know about your decision:

Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have sinned against you. For Jesus Christ’s sake, please forgive me of all of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again for me. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart, save my soul, change my life, and fill me with your Holy Spirit today and forever. Amen.

If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”.

Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!