Q. I just heard a news source report that the German entrepreneur, Adolf Merckle, who committed suicide over his lost riches, was a Christian! How do we and his family cope with something like this?
Answer:
This really is a shock and a tragedy, isn’t it?
Treasures equal Value in today’s Culture
Jesus warned, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal…Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
Devastation of Biblical Illiteracy
It is for this reason that personal bible study and stewardship become such vital necessities in modern society. Biblical illiteracy is rampant today and many Christians blindly follow wealth and health false-teachers. Endings such as Merckle’s will become more frequent unless this changes.
A generous Believer
Yet, Merckle wasn’t among the “health and wealth” followers. Instead, he is reported to have kept a low profile, traveled second-class on trains, and took cycling holidays with his family (Associated News Service, January 07, 2009, paragraph 8).
He left behind Productive Christians
Merckle left behind a productive group of Christians in his family. Tobias is a leader of a rehab program associated with Prison Fellowship. Philipp Merckle founded World in Balance which supports projects in poor countries. Ruth Merckle was a leader in the Evangelical Church in Germany from 1990-1998 and served on the board for the Association of Evangelical Entrepreneurs. (ANS paragraphs 3-5).
A Press Release
Adolf Merckle left a note for his family which they released. They said the following: “The economic distress in his companies as the result of the financial crisis and the associated uncertainties of the last weeks, as well as his sense of impotence at no longer being able to act, destroyed this passionate family entrepreneur, and he ended his life.” (ASN paragraph 5).
His amassed wealth was estimated at about 9.5 billion U.S. dollars and he employed around 100,000 people. He gave away Christian books to his workers and even employed a Christian counselor.
God is with us in Life & Death
In this case we can know that our heavenly Father is with Adolf Merckle and his family (including his church family). The Lord comforts us with these words:
“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are
there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of
the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover
me,
and the light about me be night,’
even the darkness is not dark to you –
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.”
(Psalm 139: 7-12, ESV)
Saved by Grace
Thank God we are saved by grace through faith – it doesn’t depend upon us and what we do or don’t do (Ephesians 2:8). It is the righteousness of Jesus that saves us. God sees us through the righteousness of His Son – not on the basis of our works.
Rewarded for Good
All of the good things Merckle did are not wasted because of this.
2 Corinthians 5:10 assures us that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Yes, he will be judged for taking his own life. But, he will also receive rewards for the good things he did. This judgment will take place in heaven before Christ. He is our brother in Christ and we and his family will see him again.
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Source Cited:
Polzer, Wolfgang. 2009. Tragedy: Christian tycoon takes his life. Assist News Service. 07 January. Available from: www.assistnews.net.