How to be Truly Rich

When we moved to Colorado, we gave things away and put our remaining possessions in storage for three years until we built a small home of our own.

Jesus said, “Your life can never be measured by the amount of things you possess.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭

It’s easy to calculate our self-worth by what we’ve accumulated over the years. The desire for material wealth can enslave us if we let it. I have to remind myself…

“We brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Like the ten year old still clinging to his security blanket, we must be weaned off anything we value too highly. God has something far better for us.

“I advise you to buy from me gold made pure in fire so you can be truly rich.” Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭

I love that verse!— “I advise you to buy from me gold…” Who better to be our financial advisor than God? He knows what’s going to be the most valuable asset in the future. His advice is, “Buy gold!”

This gold “made pure in fire” is a heart that has suffered crushing loss and now longs more than anything to please God.

But how do I buy this gold from Him? What do I exchange for it? What can I give God that He doesn’t already have?

“The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.” Psalm 51:17

When I repent of my sinfulness and humbly confess to God that I am nothing without Him, He takes my hurting, broken heart and in turn gives me a new heart, pure as gold, refined by life’s disappointments and distresses.

To be truly rich we have to admit how truly poor we are without Jesus. Everything we have we humbly give Him. Our time, our money, our dreams and desires are placed in His hands.

Sure, it will cost us everything…

But what He gives us in return will be worth far more than any treasure on earth…

For we will have Him!

“If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river, the Almighty Himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver!” Job‬ ‭22‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8.

“I have made you pure, but not by fire, as silver is made pure. I have purified you by giving you troubles.” Isaiah‬ ‭48‬:‭10‬

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