Rich Man, Poor Man

Revelation 2:9 "I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich!"

I don't consider myself rich. By worldly standards, some may not even consider me comfortable because I don't have everything I want. Over the years and through living life, I have come to realize my 'wants' are so trivial, so unimportant to the meaning of life.

I am reading a book by Kyle Idleman called, "gods at War." This book discusses the idols in life and how they rob us of true worship and love. Then a devotion today by Craig Groeschel had these words to share, “Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that ought to be worshipped.  – Augustine

Idol worship seems to be the norm and the root of all sin. The list of 'wants' can become our idols. God knows what we do not have, but because He also knows what we DO have, He considers us rich--wealthy beyond belief even.  Not in earthly things. "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him?"  (James 2:5)

We (Believers) can consider ourselves rich because of our relationship with Jesus. But, there is a cost when we put our trust in Him, as the world doesn't respect this belief. We may be mocked or ridiculed, but we are in good company. Jesus suffered the same scorn and derision.

Put aside the idols and recognize we are in good company. Hebrews 11:26 has this to say about Moses, "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward."

Revelation 2:8-11