Another year and Thanksgiving has come and gone. We took time to count our blessings of the past year, so numerous that sheets of paper were needed instead of index cards! Blessings such as our family, a roof over head, transportation, friends, salvation, God’s provision, His protection, the announcement of an addition to the family coming in July, the salvation received into the hearts of two of our grandchildren, God’s blessings in the ministry that He has assigned us, and on and on we could have gone – limitless blessings!
I was recently with a friend, and she referred to another family members’ family as being stinkin’ filthy rich. Over the past few days, I haven’t been able to get that expression off my mind. I have been pondering the blessings we are grateful for each year at Thanksgiving; the riches we have received as a child of the King. As Christmas is quickly approaching, I have been thinking about the riches exchanged within each home in order that our families will have the best Christmas ever. Things that are often unnecessary, not needed and that will one day decay, but certainly fun to give. Then I thought of the riches I have as a child of the King of this universe- wow! Riches necessary in displaying His splendor in my life, needed because without them, I am unable to maneuver through life, not one of them decaying, and oh the fun my Heavenly Father has in giving them to me, knowing they will only make me more like His Son.
Now, if the finances of this relatives’ family are handled correctly, with each generation there will be more and more money handed down. The danger for each generation will be that the money becomes the statement of their riches and their lives- instead of Christ. Money in and of itself is not bad, earthly riches are not bad, but the riches we will take with us are His riches. The riches of this earth will remain in checking and savings accounts, bank vaults, IRA’s and investment accounts, for Investment Brokers and Accountants to manage. His riches will go with us for they are heavenly riches.
The riches I have received and continue to receive, no Investment Broker or Accountant could ever place an earthly value on. Riches such as, His Son’s shed blood that covers over my sins, forgiveness, grace, mercy, His presence ever with me, joy, peace, His love, His splendor, the promise of eternal life, acceptance, unconditional love, the promise that I am never alone, power, purpose in life, knowing He will never forsake me, endless resources to meet my every need, a light to show me the way, angelic protection, Holy Spirit guidance, a certain future, faith, hope, security, a firm foundation on which to build my life, an ever-present help, knowing I am never forgotten- always remembered, knowing I am continually on My Father’s mind, that I will never be without a friend, never forsaken, forever His, kept, guarded, that I have a Heavenly home, the promise that I will see Him, arms to hold me, a testimony to share, knowing I have a great God, knowing I am a child of the King of this universe, knowing I have no shame, no guilt- He has taken them away, happiness, the promise that He hears my every prayer and will answer, the promise that He sees my tears and knows my hurts, the knowledge that I will always be comforted because He is my Comforter, knowing He is my Rock, my Shelter, my Strong tower, His promise to hold me in the palm of His hand, wisdom, truth, endless treasures, a watchman to watch over me, a warrior to fight my battles, knowing He is my rear guard, having my very own Shepherd, and the promise that he will come again. I could go on and on – endless riches found in and through my Heavenly Father.
Oh how truly rich I am!
Take time this Christmas to ponder the riches of Christ in your life and I think you will find that you are stinkin’ filthy rich! Rich beyond measure or earthly value!
Father, truly we as your children have an inheritance full of riches beyond comprehension. Thank you for the riches You deposit into my life and help me Father to remain with my eyes and heart set on You- not on earthly things.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Dianne