WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE RICH? Part 1, No. 571
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE RICH?
Part 1
“So is he that layeth up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God”
(Luke 2:21).
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, wouldn’t it?
However, there are only two kinds of riches, those we heap up for ourselves or those we heap 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?
Let’s discover the riches we can enjoy on this earth.
A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Proverbs 12:4: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”
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.
A happy and blissful marriage doesn’t just happen. You have to make it happen. Think of something each new day to make life special for your husband. Think of something loving and encouraging to say to him each day. Be generous in pouring out your words of love.
A GOOD NAME
Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Also read Ecclesiastes 7:1.
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?
The Day is coming when we will leave every material thing behind on this earth. The only thing we’ll take with us is our eternal soul and our redeemed children. Let’s pour our lives into what is eternal.
CONTENTMENT
1Timothy 6:6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” The NLT says: “True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” Also read Psalm 37:16. If you are content and happy with what you have, even if it is only a little, you’ll live a rich life.
FAITH
James 2:5: “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
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 have all we need.
FEAR OF THE LORD
Proverbs 22:4: ¨By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.” Read Psalm 112:1-3 where God promises that “wealth and riches” shall be in the house of the man who fears the Lord. How rich we are if we have a God-fearing husband.
GOOD WORKS
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (BSB): “Instruct those who are rich in the present age . . . to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
If we do everything to serve ourselves and to please 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.
Mark 8:35 is an eternal principle that never fails: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
GOD'S WORD
Psalm 19:9-11: “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned, and in keep of them there is great reward.”
Psalm 119:14: “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”
Psalm 119:72: “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.”
Psalm 119:127: “I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”
Can we truthfully confess the above affirmations? Do we really love God’s word more than gold and all the things we could buy with it? If so, are we demonstrating it in our lives? The moment we wake, do we run to the Word? We can’t wait to dig for more gold. We can’t wait to hear what God will speak to us today through His living Word.
Do our children see our love for God’s Word? Or do they see that we are so busy with everything else in life that we rarely get to read it? Are we gathering our children morning and evening to hear His Word? Are we giving gold, the true riches, to our children each day as we gather them to hear His Word? Of course, we are not doing this as a ritual. Yes, it is a daily habit, but we do it with excitement. We can’t wait to hear what gold God has for us today.
Colossians 3:16 reminds us that God wants His Word to dwell in us RICHLY. 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.
I have found 15 ways to be rich in this life, so we’ll discover more next week.
Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
“Dear Father, thank you for showing me what are the true riches. I want to seek after them rather than the vain riches of this world. Amen.”
AFFIRMATION:
I’m seeking after the true riches of this life. I am building for eternity. I can’t be bothered with the fleeting pleasures and riches of this life.
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