True Riches of Life
“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15
One day a wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country to show him just how poor people can actually be. They spent a day and a night at the farm of a very impoverished family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, “How did you like the trip?”
“It was amazing!” the boy answered enthusiastically.
“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked.
“Absolutely!” the boy replied. “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the backyard; they have a creek that has no end. We have an imported exotic tree in our yard; they have a whole forest around their land. We have custom-made lights in our garden; they have a big, open sky full of stars. Our lawn reaches to the big iron gates out front; they look out on a whole horizon. We have a housekeeper and gardener; they have lots of brothers and sisters who have fun doing chores together. When the little boy was finished, his father was speechless.
His son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!”There’s nothing wrong with having riches. In fact, men like Abraham and Isaac were very wealthy because of the Lord’s blessing. But Jesus helped us gain perspective about material and spiritual treasures. We must never allow riches to have us. He called one rich man a fool because he put his possessions ahead of his soul. He asked His disciples this critical question: “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Jesus possessed all the riches and glories of heaven, “…yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). His “poverty” purchased what all the wealth of the world cannot buy – eternal life. Thank Jesus for showing us how rich we are!
Daily Encouragement: What do you possess? Whether you have much or little, if you have Jesus, you have everything! “Godliness with contentment is great gain!” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Recommended Reading: Luke 12:13-21
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