| 1 Timothy 6:17 – “…God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy.” |
We possess “lists” that hold immense significance.
For certain businesses, being a part of the prestigious Forbes 500 is crucial. Their measure of success is determined by their position on that list.
There exists a list of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Some individuals inflate their earnings (without disclosing it to the IRS) to project a greater wealth than they possess. Their status is intertwined with that number that defines them as “rich.”
During the weekend, we were escorting our granddaughter back home after a sleepover.
She was engrossed in a video on my wife’s phone. In the video, they used two different words that puzzled her. The words were “rich” and “poor.”
Curiously, she asked my wife, “What does ‘rich’ mean?” And we provided her with the conventional definition of “having a lot of money.”
Then she inquired, “What about ‘poor’?” And once again, we replied, “Not having a substantial amount of money.”
However, my wife wanted to ensure that she didn’t develop a misguided impression. “Sometimes, people can possess an abundance of love in their hearts without having much money, and they are truly rich in love.”
It was Oscar Wilde who astutely observed, “Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”
Paul understood the value of life. He advised us, “Instruct those who are affluent in this present world to refrain from arrogance and placing their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain. Instead, let them place their hope in God, who generously provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Encourage them to engage in good deeds, to be rich in acts of kindness, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:17–18)
As we navigate through life, let us ensure that the true value of life remains clear. And then, you and I will truly comprehend what it means to be rich.
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
