HOW RICH ARE YOU?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard
against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist
in the abundance of his possessions.”
(Luke 12:15)

MEDITATION:
If someone asked you to describe the word ‘rich’, what would you say?
Would you say,
        “It means having a lot”
    or would you say,
        “It means wanting less”

There is a story about a poor man, who had an overnight guest,
and as he showed him to his humble bedroom in the hayloft, he
said,
    “If there is anything you want, let us know, and
      we’ll come and show you how to get along without it”

Some people make themselves miserable by wanting more than
they can ever have. They spend an entire lifetime in pursuit of
‘things’, but in their quest, they often forfeit developing good
relationships and friendships. Sometimes they can become
‘detached’ from their own family.

Some people work multiple jobs in their effort to satisfy an
insatiable desire for more, better, and newer things. They
seem to have a feeling that their identity is determined by
how much they have, and the quality of what they own.

Rather than being content with ‘good enough’, some create
financial stress for themselves in their pursuit of ‘the best’.
If we truly want to minimize stress and enjoy relationships
with others, we need to develop an attitude of ‘wanting less’
and ‘being content with what we have and can afford’.

As followers of Jesus, we should have a desire for the same qualities
of the One we worship and follow. The scriptures teach us that He
was satisfied, and yet He had much less than most of us. What Jesus
wanted most, was for lost souls to be saved, and that should what we
want as well, right?

Look at the warning He gave a man who said
he was ready to follow Him everywhere He went:
    As they were walking along the road, a man said to him,
    “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes
      have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no
      place to lay his head.”
      (Luke 9:58)

We can see that Jesus was telling the man he should prepare to
be happy with less. He wanted the man to understand the kind
of commitment he was making. In he wanted to be a true follower
of Jesus, He would need to give up any desires for more, better,
and newer, so could accept what is adequate and good enough.

ACTION:
Would you rather be a person who is ‘rich with possessions’, or
‘rich with wanting less’? If your desire is to be more like Jesus,
then you would want to have His perspective on wealth, wouldn’t
you? That means being content with the blessings you have been
given from the Lord.

If you cannot be happy with wanting less, then you might be
losing your focus on Jesus and failing to allow His attitudes
and attributes to permeate your life. An unhealthy pursuit of
material wealth, is probably an indication of discontentment
and a lack of appreciation for what God has given you.

One more thing we should consider about wealth. Would you
rather be rich in possessions and social status, or would you
be better served if the Lord blessed you with a cherished friend
who is dependable and willing to encourage and pray for you?

When the Lord ‘connects’ us with good friends, we will discover
that God will often speak to us each of us through the friends He
provides, and He will speak to them through us as well. Financial
wealth gives us the ability to acquire many material things, but
none of those ‘things’ will ever be as valuable as a good friend 
given to us by God.

Look at this verse from God’s Word:
    A friend loves at all times, and a
    brother is born for a time of adversity.
    (Proverbs 17:17)
These words emphasize the importance of unconditional love
and support from friends, and especially those God has given
us. It highlights the importance of a brother (friend) when we
are experiencing difficult times.

The scripture reinforces the idea of loyalty, sincerity, reliability
and encouragement. When we have a friend who will pray for
us, it’s a strong bond that money can’t buy and we should never
overlook the value of their friendship.

When we cherish and are thankful for this friendship given to us
by God, we should be motivated to be the same kind of sacrificial
friend to them. If we are a true, caring friend, we will be unselfish
and always available for them (even when it inconveniences us).

Another verse about friendship:
    Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.
    (Proverbs 27:6)
In these few words, we are reminded that a true friend might tell
us something that we don’t want to hear, but need to hear, because
it is good for us. Conversely, insincere friends may flatter us with
all kinds of compliments, that are not supported by their actions
or heartfelt concerns.

When God ‘connects’ us with special friends, the things they say
to us will be tempered with Godly love and a genuine concern for
us. Insincere friends are prone to say ‘feel good’ phrases and move
on, because sympathizing and empathizing requires too much time
and effort.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for how You have blessed me
in so many ways. Forgive me if I have failed to appreciate
Your blessings. Convict me if my desire is more on attaining
material things than it is on developing my relationship with
You, and with others. Teach me how to be more content with
what I have and less concerned about wanting more. Help me
to appreciate everything You have given me. May I always show
a grateful and contented heart that confirms my faith in You.”

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