What Makes Us Rich?
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
For your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Cor. 8:9
There are more than 475 billionaires in the world today. Who is the richest? Does it matter? No. Yet we constantly measure people by what they have or don't have. We even divide the world into haves and have not's, the rich and poor, the hungry and well fed.
Most people define success as climbing up the financial ladder far beyond the rung that handles basic needs. But does financial wealth really yield true riches?
The truth is, there is something more valuable than the things you own. It's you!
The Bible says, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). God's love is focused on you, not on what you have. "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Because he loves us, God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross to free us from sin and death and to give us life abundant and eternal. That's what our verse for today is about: "Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
Do you really want to be rich? Repent of your sin and trust in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord today. Then you will be richer than any billionaire on earth.
Dear God, help us to understand that if we have eternal and abundant life, we are rich beyond measure. Thank you that you gave of yourself to make us rich in you. Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!