True Riches

We are truly rich and blessed beyond measure. When we look at society and see how rich the average citizen of the United States is, we often over look just how rich each and every Christian is. We all have a treasure in Christ that moth can not destroy and that will never rust. We have a treasure that will last through out the ages to come! We have a personal relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ whom died for our sins to conquer death and bring us back into fellowship with God. No amount of money could ever come close to purchasing even a single drop of Christ's blood that was shed for our salvation.

So what treasures are we to build up in this world? What are we 'called' to do? In this world we are told not to build up treasures of material worth. In Matt 6:19-21 we are told: 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What are treasures that moth and rust can not destroy? How about a spouse who sticks by you no matter what happens in life? Or children that love and adore you even when you can't afford to throw them the birthday party they want or buy them that special toy that they just think they 'have' to have. It's the non-tangible/material things in life that make life worth living. It is the hug from a child or the hand holding of a spouse. It's the hug you get from a friend when you help them out (or that you give them when they help you up).

Ecc 4:10 - 12
4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

He who has good friends is rich beyond any amount of monetary value that can be deposited in a bank.

That being said, we are not called to be peasants or to live a vow of poverty in this life. Quite the opposite as we see in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 29:12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Yes, the verse above is talking about God bringing His people out of captivity, but it is still applicable to the point that I'm trying to make: that God loves us and has the best intentions for us. But it's not until we call upon Him and seek Him that He will truly give to us.

When we are seeking Him first and doing His will then He will begin to shower His blessings upon us. He will give us so much that we can not begin to keep it all for ourselves. He will bless us as we in turn bless others! 3:6"I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 3:7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 3:8"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 3:9You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 3:10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Verse 6 is vitally important, this is a scripture from the OT and since we are now living under "Grace" and not strictly following the Mosaic law it's important for us to understand that we are still called to follow God's laws. The Ten Commandments are still applicable. So for verse 6 to state that the Lord does not change means that He still requires us to follow Him and that He will continue to bless us. But He will not bless us if we are outside His will and are not being good stewards of that which He has entrusted to us.

It is in verse 10 that we see that our blessings from God (not just fruits of our own labor) will overflow that we will not have room for it all. This is when we have more and more to share with our neighbors. This is when God will continue to bless and use us. And it is when we are truly good and faithful servants that we begin to build up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust cannot touch them. These treasures are the kind that we will keep with us for all eternity. They can be the jewels upon the crown we shall receive for leading others to a relationship with Christ.

How do we make deposits into our Heavenly "savings accounts"? 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

That my friends is when we are truly serving God and allowing Him to work through us. And it is at that point in our lives when we are truly rich.

I hope this helped you as much as I believe it has helped me to realize how truly blessed and "rich" I am as I look over at my children and my wife.

Benjamin