“There is one who pretends to be rich yet has nothing at all; Another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.”

Proverbs 13:6 AMP

Today’s verse reminds us that there is more to being rich than having possessions! A recent study released by Schwab, “2022 Modern Wealth Survey,” the average American thinks being rich means having a net worth of $2.2 million. Statistics say that only 2.4% of the population have that amount and that only 5% have a net worth of $1 million! I guess that means that the rest of us are poor! According to our verse though, those who are seeming rich may actually be very poor! 

I remember an incident when I was working for the Royal family. I responded to a princess that had fallen and injured her arm. Since it was a female, I was not given permission to enter the interior area of the palace but instead sat with the prince and had a cup of coffee while I waited for the nurse. Full of energy and excitement about my  recent marriage, I was rambling on about how great my wife was and how we had coffee every morning and just spent time together. Suddenly I realized that the expression on his face was less than positive. “Sorry your highness if I said something to offend you!” “Oh no, its nothing, just don’t every lose that! I would give everything to know one person who would love me like that! My wife she was picked for me. My friends all have their hands in my pocket. I don’t know who I can trust!” Suddenly it hit me. Here is a guy that could open his desk drawer and give you $1 Million and never miss it. How sad that he seemed to have everything but really had nothing inside! From that day forward I decided that I would rather be poor and happy rather than rich and miserable. I often here people say, “I wish I had that kind of money!” My response is always the same, “No you don’t!” The Scripture tells us that the things of this world are passing away and that we should have an eternal focus. Jesus said,

“Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

Luke 12:33 AMP

Storing up treasures down here can be snatched away in 1 second! Treasures stored up in heaven are secured for eternity! The message to the church at Laodicea was clear,

“Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior–seek God’s will].”

Revelation 3:17-18 AMP

The most valuable treasure in the world is your salvation! Money could not buy it, works could not secure it and even death cannot steal it! The Scripture is clear,

“For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, 19but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. 20For He was foreordained (foreknown) before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [publicly] in these last times for your sake 21and through Him you believe [confidently] in God [the heavenly Father], who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.”

1 Peter 1:18-21 AMP

Take time today to enjoy the richness of your salvation. Remember that His eye is on the sparrow so how much more will He keep watch over you! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken