How Does God Define Wealth?
Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:12
David offered a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for the temple in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19. Today’s verse is a key part of David’s prayer, in which he acknowledges God as the true source of wealth and honor. Maybe you are asking why you are not “blessed” with great riches from God. Our verse today reminds us that true riches are not found in what we possess, but who possesses us!
Since riches and honor come from God and you are a child of God, he has given you what is best for you! We humans tend to measure riches by how much we accumulate – if we haven’t amassed a great deal of material goods, we think we are not blessed with riches. But we must adopt the biblical measurement of true riches. Knowing the Giver of every good and perfect gift is of far greater value than possessing the gifts that come from Him! David rejoiced, not simply because he could invest in God’s work, but because his real joy came from being intimate with the God he served!
There are many things in life you can possess. They may be wonderful things that bring you joy. But you must remember that everything in this life that you possess can be taken from you. There is only one thing that cannot be taken from you – and that is the most valuable thing, the pearl of great price. It is the one thing that should cause you to rejoice more than anything, and that one thing is knowing Jesus Christ intimately, personally, eternally. The richest people in this life are those who have as their Father the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
Lord, may I remember that I am rich because You are my Father and You own everything. Knowing You is the greatest honor and richest blessing I could ever hope for in this life. As people all around me stockpile things that will one day rust and decay, may I seek to share with them the true riches of life – You. Lord, it is such as honor to share You with others. Thank You for giving me that opportunity. You have enriched my life with so many people and things, but the greatest of all is knowing You. Amen.
Thank you… Craig Bowers, Locust Grove, GA