In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, Ephesians 1:7-9 NKJV
If you know me, you know that I am a book lover. I am always interested in good books.
I have more than I’ll probably ever have time to read before I die, but that’s another post for another day!!
Recently, I was checking out a New York Times Bestselling book that describes what the author believes are the 5 Types of Wealth that we possess. According to the him, they are: Time, Social, Mental, Physical, and Financial.
I noticed something that made me decide not to buy this particular book.
Did you notice it?
No mention of the spiritual.
Spiritual wealth didn’t make his list.
While I’m sure that the book is filled with much helpful advice to better manage time, money, and physical fitness, apparently there is no consideration of the true wealth that we have in Christ: the forgiveness of sin, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, a home in heaven, and much, much more.
Paul’s prayer for the believers at Ephesus is a good one to pray for yourself, and for others:
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:15-21 NKJV
As thankful as we should be for the gifts that the secular author mentioned, we should be most thankful for the one that he forgot - our relationship with Jesus.
Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You for giving us Your Son to die in our place. Today we give You praise for all that we are and have in Christ. Help us to understand more and more the spiritual riches which are ours in Jesus. In His mighty Name we pray, Amen.