[350 words]
The story in Luke 16:19 begins so well: “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.” What a life! The sharpest dressed man around. Never lacking a feast that included all the culinary delights. His life was a party. In fact, it may have seemed like a walking dream most of the time. Yet, tragically, after he draws his last breath on earth, he awakes on the other side in anguish!
So, what does it mean to be rich? The man in this story was undoubtedly surprised to find out that he had misunderstood the true meaning.
Is there a certain amount of money one needs to possess to be considered wealthy? That really isn’t the point, is it? The point is there is something other than money that matters. There is something other than material wealth that makes us truly rich (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:11).
It is fine to have money so long as it does not rule over us. We are called, “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
Jesus once asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 9:36). The rich man in our story knew the answer: Nothing! Nothing is worth being rich in this life only to be in torment for eternity!
The “true riches” that cannot be taken from us are things such as forgiveness, peace, knowing Heaven is our home and Jesus is our Lord, etc. If I am living with the “full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22), then I am truly and wonderfully rich!
Take inventory of your spiritual bank account. Would the Lord consider you to be rich?
If we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and we are walking in the light, we are rich!
Bart Warren