HOW RICH WE ARE!
Statisticians have calculated that 100 years ago the average American had 72 “wants,” 16 of them were considered “necessities.” Today the average American has 848 “wants” with 92 rated as “necessities.” Paul said 2000 years ago, If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content (I Timothy 6:8).
We can know how rich we are if we remember God’s benefits. In Psalm 103:2, David exhorts us to: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits.
Without memory it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to exercise thankfulness. It is as we remember God’s blessing in the past, then we become thankful for the present and hopeful for the future.
Everything we are or possess is because of God’s loving kindnesses—His spiritual and material benefits. Every good and perfect gift can be traced back to God, the Giver (James 1:17). It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich and He adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
Secondly, we can know how rich we are when we receive God’s bounty (generosity). God’s riches are available to all. Paul says in Romans 10:12, For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him.
How did these riches of Christ become available? Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 8:9. For you know that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you, through His poverty, might become rich. Paul prays in Ephesians 1:18 (NCV), I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people.
The final way we can know how rich we are is by rejoicing in our birthright. God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (James 2:5). The greatest gifts we have are spiritual. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
Considering God’s blessing upon us, what should our response be? Out of an overflow of gratitude, let us reach out and bless others. So through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak his name. Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God (Hebrews 13:15-16, NCV)
