Who
Is A Rich Man?
We have a tendency to measure "riches" by the
number of dollars a person possesses. If we see a man that has a large amount
of money, property or other valuables we say -- "that man is rich!"
However, a study of the Bible reveals that God evaluates riches
from a different standpoint. Many people are truly rich that have very little
of this world's goods.
God's blessings add up to riches.
"The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with
it." (Proverbs 10:22) If we enjoy God's blessings we are truly rich. Let
us always remember to thank Him for blessing us.
If righteousness is in your house
you are rich. "In the house of the righteous there is much
treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble." (Proverbs 15:6)
The righteous person enjoys true riches. Let us seek the
righteousness of God and not be "self-righteous."
A faithful man enjoys God's
blessings. "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he
that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent...He
that hasteneth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."
(Proverbs 28:20-22) The truly rich person is the person that is faithful
to God. Even though a man may have wealth, if he does not have God, he is poor
indeed.
What should be the Christian's
attitude toward money? The answer to this question is best expressed in
Proverbs 30:8-9, "Give me neither poverty nor riches -- Feed me with the
food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, and
say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my
God." We would all do well to be reminded to "take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses." (Luke 12:15)
What should we do with what we have?
We must meet the needs of our family and do all the good we can in sharing with
others. "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in
need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in
him?" (1 John 3:17) If we look we will see the needs and God will bless us
when we meet them.
It is a sobering truth to realize that one
day (Judgment Day) our money (possessions), how we gained those possessions and
how we used them will largely determine where we will be in eternity. Think
about it!
If you are not a Christian obey the gospel
of Christ now. Hear God's message (Romans
By Charles Box,