It could be quite nice to be able to purchase whatever you want. It could be fun to purchase whatever groceries you desired instead of counting out your pennies.
However, there are two kinds of riches. We can either heap up riches for ourselves, or heap them up toward God (Luke 12:21). Our true riches are in the eternal realm, but did you know that there are godly riches we can have in this life too?
KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING GOD (Jeremiah 9:23-24). We were created to fellowship with God. If we do not know Him we miss out on what we were born for. We are poor and foolish.
A HAPPY MARRIAGE (Proverbs 12:4). A couple can live in the richest home and have money to burn, but if they don’t live in harmony and happiness together, they are poor. I think that one of the greatest riches of this life is to enjoy the bliss of marriage which is God’s beautiful plan and intention for us on this earth.
CONTENTMENT (1Timothy 6:6). If you are content and happy with what you have, even if it is only a little, you are rich.
CHILDREN (Deuteronomy 7:13 and Psalm 127:3-5). Our children are truly our greatest riches in this life (and praise God, we can take them into eternity with us, too)! If a fire came through your home, what would you try to save? You'd forget about all your material possessions; you'd only want to save your children. And yet, isn't it amazing how many people would rather have fleeting possessions than children?
GOOD WORKS (2 Corinthians 6:10 and 1 Timothy 5:10; 6:18). When we self-serve and do everything for ourselves, we are very poor. When we forget about our own life and serve others, always thinking of how we can bless those around us, we live a rich life.
WISDOM (Proverbs 3:13-15 and 8:11). God says that wisdom is better than fine gold or precious rubies.
FAITH (James 2:5). Faith is so rich because it trusts God rather than what we can see. We don't hold back having children because of unbelief. We know that God is able to provide. We know we can trust Him in whatever situation we face. What richness! We may not have much materially, but we've all we need.
GOD'S WORD (Psalm 19:10 and Colossians 3:16). God's Word is more to be desired than fine gold! If God's word dwells in us RICHLY, our spirit will be strong and steadfast. If God's Word is shallow in our hearts, our spirit will starve and we will be weak and impotent to live this life.
PEACE which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). What riches to have peace even during the storm.
I love Paul's confession in 2 Corinthians 6:10: "As poor, YET MAKING MANY RICH; as having nothing, AND YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS." One translation says, "Penniless, we own the world!" What a great confession!
Enjoy your rich life today,
Nancy Campbell
Picture: Heather Bryant and her husband and wonderful family. What riches! Heather has organized the Above Rubies retreat in Washington state for many years now.