How Rich are You?
By Peter Crause
Philippians
There
is an advertisement of a certain Canadian bank that uses the phrase: “You never
know how rich you are.” Of course it is false, since all they really want is
your money in their control – “for your benefit of course”. This being said,
there is “another bank”; the Bank of
Heaven where our heavenly Father is founder and president, that has riches
untold and unlimited resources – all available to us as His children; for we
are His heirs! Here’s a thought: “Have you
made any withdrawals recently?” have you any needs today? It has always
amazed me when I read or hear of some “miser”, who lived in abject poverty, but
left behind millions in the bank or in a hidden stash. What an utter waste! It
is shortsighted and silly to live in need when the resources are available to
meet that need in a super-abounding way!
Think
of the “miser” who lived poorly but died leaving riches behind for a moment. I
wonder what some of his excuses for not
using the resources might have been. Here a few suggested reasons:
-
I worked hard for it; it’s mine to keep
-
If I use it, I’ll run out and be poor again (What insight! Listen here
Mr. Miser: “You couldn’t be poorer than the way you’re living right now!”)
-
It’s my “nest egg” for the future – this one has some value – however
the present mentality won’t change “in the future”
-
I’m saving up for XXXXX; whatever it was he wanted. However, the goal always
remains out of reach since inflation is constantly devaluing his resource
-
I’m satisfied to live in poverty (Huh?)
-
If people know I have money they’ll come begging at my door – and I
don’t share what’s mine!
Every
excuse is silly – I’m sure none of you dear readers are like this are you?
Wait a minute! Again I ask the question: “Have you drawn from your heavenly bank
account recently to meet your needs?” Well uh, NO! The next question is “Why not?” What are your excuses? Let’s
name a few:
-
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to. Doubting your status as a King’s Kid are you? Disbelieving the
Lord’s promise to supply your need according to His riches and not according to
your limited vision of His riches? Have some faith in your Father!
-
What if my “check bounces”?
My answer is it can never “bounce” since it is backed by omnipotence. Write
some “faith checks” and get an
understanding of just “how rich you really are!”
-
The Lord is testing me and purifying me with this blessing of “poverty”.
The only poverty Jesus spoke of was poverty of spirit – humility. If it is some sort of test it is to spur you on to try and
draw on His resources – to get you out
of the needful situation and give praise and thanksgiving to Him for His
bountiful grace and provision – in Christ.
-
It refers only to spiritual needs. This is the most common and universal
excuse amongst most of the
Lord’s people. It’s a real “copout”. It’s easy to “claim” spiritual blessings
since they’re not visible to the eye. Please understand that there are spiritual
blessings available – in abundance. Maybe all you need is a “spiritual
blessing”; but do not neglect the
natural and physical needs we have; don’t sweep them under a carpet and
deny the Lord has provided for them as well.
-
I’m satisfied with my condition. If this is your excuse I trust you’re
not complaining but giving thanks to God?
Dear
ones, the Lord has made provision for every need we may have in every area of
our lives; spirit, soul and body. Draw on His resources and be satisfied –
enjoy the journey to GLORY. A miserable and complaining Christian is not a
person we want to “fellowship” with – their attitudes rub-off on us and we
become miserable. May the Lord help us to receive and be the joyful people He
wants us to be.
John 16:24 Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you
will receive, that your joy may be full.
These
are Jesus’ words! Believe them! Act on them! Draw on your “bank account”! Live
in “fullness of joy”!
In
conclusion I want to emphasize that what is here said in no way is a criticism
of those who think otherwise. The extreme emphasis on materialism amongst some
of God’s people is not praiseworthy; material riches don’t indicate
spirituality but may show the reverse. But our point is that many of the Lord’s
choicest and very spiritual saints have many times lacked in the material realm
unnecessarily. The “Lord shall see to it”
– Jehovah-Jireh ; has made provision for our every
need; use it!