WHAT AM I RICH WITH?

"And when he heard this,

he was very sorrowful:

for he was very rich."

Luke 18:23

In this portion of Scripture in Luke 18, a rich man comes to Jesus desiring to find out what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.  When Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give it to the poor, the man was discouraged and left...and Jesus let him go!

We learn that he was a good man, obeying God's Word, and believing in Jesus...but, he loved his wealth more than he loved God.  Jesus told him he lacked one thing.  It was mainly keeping the 1st Commandment.   His money had become his god.

I wonder if we came to Jesus for assurance of Heaven if he would tell us something that we are very rich in that we are loving more than Him.  Consider personality; possessions; relationships; intellect; or spirituality.  I can be so rich in poverty that I think I'm nobody and unworthy to belong to Jesus.  I can be so rich in being somebody that I have left Jesus out of my life and only want His blessings.  Consider how I spend most of my time...then see if Jesus is part of that time.  He has promised to be with us always; but are we with Him?

If He said to get rid of the thing(s) that I am rich in and come empty handed and follow Him...would I?

Here's my heart about this:

Lord, do I have anything or anyone that I am rich with, and that I haven't given to You?  I have heard Your hard words before about some things that had a hold on me and robbed me from the fullness of getting to know You and bringing You glory.  When I found myself in the pig pen and cried out to You that I wanted to become my best for You that it is possible for me to, I lost everything that wasn't my best for You.  I have never regretted the loss even though it was very difficult.  I have been blessed with so much more, and now my heart only wants more of You.

I now consider again what I am rich in...

I am rich in friendship, but they are all in You.  Wealth or poverty has no hold on me.  I have no love or desire for myself, except to be totally Yours and have Your Spirit be unhindered and radiant.

I am rich in grandchildren, and blessed they are all also Your Children.  May I only love them with Your Love and teach them to love You.

I am rich with Your blessings; help me to give them back to You as my very best to delight You and bring You glory.  Your Love is MORE than enough! Amen ~Betty