THE TRUE RICHES

Mammon is the old word for money. Jesus told us to be faithful with our money. But that’s not what I’m focusing on today. I’m not rousing you up to give more money. I want to talk about the true riches, spiritual riches, which are far above earthly things.

First, what the true riches are.

People often talk about the physical riches that God has and will give: Heaven and the New Jerusalem, with the gold and the jewels. But there are “true riches,” spiritual riches, far above the physical riches. God has these true riches. Let’s see what they are. The Bible says,

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

God’s true riches include His grace. In English, someone said GRACE means God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. His true riches are shown in the gift of the Blood of Christ and the forgiveness of sins. And the Bible says,

“God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4). God’s true riches include His mercy and His great love for us. If you are a Christian, try to have those things. And the Bible says,

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). God’s true riches include His kindness. Are you kind? The Apostle Paul said,

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). The Gospel of Christ is part of His unsearchable riches. Unsearchable means infinite, so great and deep that no one can get to the end of it, the bottom of it.

The Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19; p. 1252).

Yes, the riches of His glory! To be strengthened inside by the Holy Spirit. To know Christ by faith. To be rooted and grounded in love. To have the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. To know the love of Christ. Christ’s love passes knowledge. It goes beyond all understanding. And to be filled with all the fullness of God! Those are true riches! I am amazed! And yet Paul prayed for Christians to have these for themselves!

These are high above any riches or even virtues on this earth. But if you are a Christian, you should do your best to develop these riches – the true riches – in yourself.

Second, the relationship between the true riches and our life here on earth.

Jesus reminded us to have the heavenly riches, but not to neglect, not to let go, our normal duties and good deeds here on earth.

The Pharisees were strict in their religion. They went to synagogue. They gave a tithe (10 percent) of their income. They followed all the rules. But they were covetous. They were harsh and unkind. They looked down on other people. Jesus said this to them,

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23; p. 1032).

They did not have the heavenly riches: judgment, mercy, and faith. They weren’t doing those things. Jesus rebuked them for it. But they were giving money very carefully. Jesus said they should have judgment, mercy and faith. So should you! But Christ said, “not to leave the other undone.” Don’t stop, don’t forget, your duties and God’s law here on earth. In fact, Jesus said,

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

Christ said that to get into the kingdom of Heaven, you must be as serious as a Pharisee. Of course, have the heavenly riches. But don’t forget your life on earth, including your daily life, how you treat other people, and what you do in church – and for God.

Some people say, “I don’t have to do all those things. I just love God in my heart.” But Jesus said how you behave on earth, in small things, shows what you are like in your heart. He said,

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11; p. 1098).

What you do with small things shows what you will do with big and important things. If you are faithful in small things, you will be faithful in big things. If you are unjust in small things, you will be unjust in big things. What you do with small things shows your heart. If you cut corners on small things, you will do that on big things. In fact, you should be faithful in money too, even though God thinks that is only a small thing. If you are not, will you have the true riches? Jesus Christ said no. I didn’t say that, He did. Your attitude with money, and the small things of daily life, shows your heart. I’m not trying to get you to give more money. That is not my purpose. I’m just saying what Christ said. Be faithful in everything, even if it seems small.

I was talking about the relationship between earthly riches and the true riches. The Bible says that what you do on earth with small things is an indicator of what your heart is like, and whether you have true riches or not.

It is barely possible to have earthly riches and the true heavenly riches at the same time. Victoria was Queen of England in the nineteenth century, when England was the greatest country in the world. She was rich. She was high up there. And she was a Christian. The Bible says,

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (I Corinthians 1:28).

When Queen Victoria read this verse, she said, “I am glad that it says not many. If it said not any, I could not be saved.”

You don’t have to be poor to be a good Christian. Philemon had a house, and the Apostle Paul said to him, “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philemon 1-3).

Philemon had a house, and I expect it was a big one, since there was a church meeting there.

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple. They were good Christians, as Paul said,

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house” (Romans 16:3-5).

They were “helpers” to Paul. They even risked their life and “laid down their own necks” for him. And they had a church in their house! I’m glad you can have a house, or I couldn’t be a Christian myself.

But there is a danger in earthly riches and earthly accomplishes. I said it was barely possible to be rich and famous and still go to Heaven. But I must warn you, it doesn’t happen often. Jesus said,

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).

Christ said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). That’s not what God is looking at. It’s just not that important!

Loving money and wanting more will pull you away from God. The Apostle Paul said,

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:10). And Paul said,

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (I Timothy 6:9). And Paul said this, speaking to Timothy,

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (I Timothy 6:11).

Dear Timothy: follow the true riches!

Sometimes you have to make a choice. Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s own family. He was rich and important. But the time came when he had to choose. Moses made the right choice,

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26).

He gave up his position and his riches, and took a stand with God and the Jews, God’s people.

Many Christians have suffered terrible persecution. That especially happens in countries like China, North Korea, and Iran. These Christians lost everything they had. They suffered prison, torture, and death. In Roman times, the church in Smyrna had to go through that. But Christ said to them,

“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)” (Revelation 2:9).

They were poor. They were going through horrible persecution and suffering. But Christ said they were rich! They had the true riches. They didn’t have earthly riches, but they had the true riches, which is far better. Keep your mind on the heavenly riches, even while you are living here on earth.

Christ also said to the church at Laodicea, which represents the churches of the end times – that is, our time,

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

The churches in the United States, including the evangelical churches, are like that. Materially they were fine. They were happy with their situation. In words they were Christian, but they were not serious or zealous. Christ said to them, “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will [vomit] thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). You don’t want that, do you. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was that serious about it.

How can we not be like that? How can you not be like that? Put all your effort into your religion. Seek the heavenly riches. And live a strong and good Christian life on earth.

And don’t be afraid to suffer. Don’t be afraid to go through hard times and a hard life. Jesus said to that Laodicean church a Bible verse that people don’t talk about much. He said,

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment [clothes], that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Revelation 3:18).

Yes, put your heart and your effort and your life into it. If you go through the fire (in whatever way) that’s all for the good. Be sure your clothes are white. Trust Jesus and be saved, so you are in a white robe, clean, when God looks at you. And as much as you can, may your life be white and pure. A bride’s wedding dress is white, which represents her purity. You should be pure and true, not sloppy and lukewarm. And “anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Keep your eyes open! If they aren’t, open them! Spend time in the Bible. Spend time in prayer. Spend time in the church and listen to the messages.

And live for the true riches! May God bless you as you do it. Amen.