Just How RICH Are You?
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev. 3:17-18
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God… When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26
I was blessed to grow up in a loving, wealthy and generous family, but we were poor. Given my commitment now to be available to the Lord and for ministry 24-7, I live on what in America is a poverty level income yet am richer than ever. Why was I poor when I was rich, and am rich now that I am poor? It’s not a play on words. It’s a truth we all need to hear.
Why does Jesus say the rich are wretched, miserable, poor, and naked, and blind in their ability to see this truth? Hear Him. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing (underlining added).” The rich He is describing are self-sufficient; they trust in their wealth. They see no need for God. They pride themselves in their worldly success. In reality, they are poor, wretched, sinners unable to see their miserable state, and unwilling to repent of their sins and turn to God. They look to the world and to themselves to accumulate earthly riches while they can’t see they are sinners bound for hell in dire need of a Savior. They don’t recognize all the wealth in the world cannot buy them God’s love and forgiveness and a relationship with Him now and forever. This isn’t merely about material wealth. It applies to ANY of us who look to this world and to ourselves to sustain, satisfy, save, and lead us.
Jesus says it’s impossible for the rich to enter God’s Kingdom – impossible without God. Impossible without Christ and a commitment to Him. My rich family, though loving, was poor because we didn’t see our wretchedness as sinners and our need for a Savior. Now, by God’s grace alone, I am eternally rich in trusting in, knowing, and loving God forever. Is your trust in the world’s fleeting riches – or in the riches of the Lord?