Have you ever felt stripped of all that matters to you? An unexpected death can make time stand still. At that moment, the amount of money you have seems meaningless. Your goals for that year, pointless; your new car, irrelevant. It’s strange how everything in life can become so clear so fast… nothing else matters, but that you have God and eternity, or you don’t.
The rich man had died and gone to hades. His wealth no longer brought him security, comfort or privilege. He begged Abraham to go tell his five brothers of the place of torment he was in, certain, that they would listen now, but he was told that they have refused all the prophets God had sent with the message of eternal life, and they won’t listen now, even if one comes back from the dead. (Luke 16:19:31)
There’s nothing worse than being blinded to the reality or need of God by the sparkle and wealth of this life, until it’s too late.
Job, was a righteous man, a lover of God and also had great wealth. Satan challenged God that if Job’s wealth was stripped, he’d turn his back on Him. God allowed Satan to strip him of his wealth, but was not allowed to take his life. Job’s suffering was great, but he was able to lift his eyes past the pain of the temporary, and see the eternal. “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God. I will see Him for myself! Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:25-27)
Friends, there are many that are like the poor rich man, who wait until it’s too late to choose God. But many of us could be called the rich poor men, who have seen our need for God and count it far greater in value than any wealth could ever provide. “Blessed are the poor in spirit (in humility they see their need), for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
With God, we possess everything. This is true wealth.
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