Dreaming of becoming wealthy is a hopeful forecast.  Realizing we are already wealthy is a revelation. Eph 1:3

Do you consider yourself wealthy?  If you are anything like us, your first thought has to do with material possessions such as bank accounts, 401 K’s, real estate, jewelry, stock holdings, cash in a jar, or whatever else may sparkle in hand.  Our natural inclination stems from the extraordinary affluence of our society.  In a regrettable, yet insightful, way, we’ve learned from those around our country who lose “everything” in natural disasters that wealth is hardly measured in things owned.  May we explore the higher truth of what the key to wealth truly represents.

When we observe the effects of human suffering and loss due to horrific storms or tragic events, we witness people longing to be united with missing relatives; we hear people proclaim with certainty their determination to rebuild; we’re inspired by the heroic efforts of some for the safety of others; we feel inadequate when families—who are totally wiped out of all their possessions—stand without complaining in quiet resolve to start again; we are touched by the people whose response to crisis is to rise up as problem solvers—not to fold in the face of the trying circumstances.  The well-being of our loved ones, our determination, our social courage, our sense of reality, and our problem-solving capacity are examples of inherent and priceless treasures stored within us that cannot be appraised or bought with money.

And what about the value of God’s love?  The Bible sums this up in two critical lines:  1) “God is love”, and 2) “Love never fails.”  It’s been said that God doesn’t love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because He loves us.  Many in storm-torn areas throughout this Nation have boldly declared that God was in their heart as their ultimate trusted treasure; wind, rain, destruction, family tragedy, money loss, despair, and fear, were all present….  But God!!!  What an amazing place to be—standing in a holy relationship of hope and counting blessings of worthiness from God’s eternal perspective.

What does our portfolio really look like?  Is it material?  Is it abstract?  Is it spiritual?  The bottom line is this:  true wealth is calculated by those things that money cannot buy.  For us, all perspectives assessed, my wife Cynthia and I consider ourselves more than wealthy.  We have some material things, some close family relationships, some developed character traits, and most importantly a growing relationship in knowing the One who created us, redeemed us, and owns everything.  That, friends, makes us rich beyond measure!

Once again, in the grandest and ever-lasting scheme of things, and with the real key now in view, take a moment and answer the question: Do you consider yourself wealthy?

Phil 4:19