What is it that makes someone feel that he or she is rich? Is it the size of their bank account or their investments? Is it their possessions or their positions or their sense of entitlement? Or could it be that it is simply how they view life? One research center claims that 54% of Americans define rich people as “anyone who simply makes money more than they do.” It seems so obvious that the amount of wealth which one accumulates or inherits has little to do with being really and truly rich. In fact, playing the “comparison game” is a sure way to convince yourself that you are a loser in life because there will always be others who have more of whatever it is you want.
When Paul wrote his letter to the believers in Ephesus, he earnestly desired they understand how blessed, how rich, they were because of their new relationship to God. In fact, he seems quite excited about reminding them that “in Christ” they had EVERY spiritual blessing. After all, they had been chosen, predestined, redeemed, and forgiven through Him. If only they could really grasp what this meant in a deeper way, it would totally have changed their outlook on life, wouldn’t it? If you knew that while you can only have part of your inheritance right now but that your full inheritance was totally guaranteed for the future, it would certainly impact your thinking about how blessed, how “wealthy” you really are.
Do you want to feel that you are richer than your present material circumstances would indicate? It just might be that Paul’s prayer for his friends would point you in the right direction. “Shine your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18 – 19 – The Voice)