To know God through Christ and His redeeming work is to be rich indeed.
The Scriptures have much to say about the infinite riches of God. They tell us of “the riches of His glory” (Rom.9:23; Eph. 3:16), “the riches of His wisdom and knowledge” (Rom.11:33), “the riches of His goodness and forbear-ance and longsuffering” (Rom.2:4) and “the riches of His grace (Eph.1:7; 2:7). God would have us enjoy these riches through faith in Christ, who died for our sins.
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (IICor.8:9).
We should rejoice continually that God, in addition to being rich in wisdom and knowledge and in glory and power, is also “rich in mercy” (Eph.2:4) and that “the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom.10:12,13).
To St. Paul, the chief of sinners, saved by grace, God revealed the greatest riches of all. Paul said: “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph.3:8). These riches include, among other things, “all the riches of the full assurance of understanding” (Col. 2:2). How wonderful to have an intelligent understanding of God’s plan of salvation and of all He has purposed in His heart of love for those who accept the salvation He has provided through His beloved Son!
True riches are not comprised of material things. The Scripture calls these “uncertain riches” and warns us not to trust in them (ITim.6:17). True riches is “to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” and so to be “filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph.3:19).
To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:
"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."
To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.
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FAQs
“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11, NKJV). True riches are riches of heaven; it is what heaven bestows or gives. The above-cited Scripture makes a distinction between true riches and worldly wealth.
What are the riches that are in Christ? ›
“the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering” (Rom. 2:4), the “riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (11:33), His rich mercy and great love (Eph. 2:4), the “riches of His glory” (3:16), that He “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim.
What does Luke 16 11 true riches mean? ›
And, the point Jesus is making in Luke 16:11 is, if we are unfaithful in the use of earthly riches God has entrusted to us, then God will not entrust “true” (real, everlasting) riches to us. “He who is faithful in a little (that is, in earthly possessions) is faithful also in much (heavenly possessions).”
What does it mean to be rich in Christ? ›
To be "rich toward God" means to prioritize spiritual wealth and richness in faith, rather than material possessions.
How can God trust you with true riches? ›
Save more. Give freely. But avoid obsessing over your hope and security in your net worth, and instead exchange the inferior idol of love of money for the superior love of your Savior Jesus. Manage worldly wealth wisely, so you can be trusted with heaven's true riches.
What did Jesus teach us about worldly riches? ›
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
What does God want us to be rich in? ›
In 1 Timothy 6 Paul also asks the wealthy to be rich in generosity: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (6:18-19).
How rich are we in Christ? ›
But the truth is—God has made believers spiritually rich at conversion. He has given us everything we need to live a spiritually wealthy life. He has given us everything we need to be rich in pleasing Him, rich in glorifying Him, wealthy in magnifying His name.
What are the glorious riches we have in Christ Jesus? ›
True riches are a matter of what controls us. God's glorious riches in Christ Jesus are centered in what comes into our lives when we allow him — his love and truth — to be the controlling center of our lives.”
What is the true richness? ›
It can be can be defined as “possessing great material wealth,” and it can also be defined as “that which is abundant, meaningful, and significant.” Once you have a clear definition of what “true wealth” means to you, then you can invest in each area of life in a meaningful and purposeful way.
Christ warns against stockpiling money and possessions on earth. Instead, believers should make choices that store up treasure in heaven. A person's top priority can either be God, or money, but cannot be both. Along with that, Jesus says believers should fight against anxiety about daily needs.
What does according to his riches mean in the Bible? ›
That means that the God who supplies your needs is a God who never runs out. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory.” My glory shall gloriously supply your need. The word “supply” means to fill to the full. God will fill you to the full of your need.
How to be rich in Christ? ›
Becoming “Rich in Christ”
We demonstrate our faith and humbleness by: Following the instructions of Jesus and by placing our gifts and talents into His service. Giving up all that separates us from Jesus and expressing our gratitude by bringing our offerings to Him. Accepting His servants which He sends to us.
What is true wealth from God? ›
In Proverbs 3:13-14 we are told that wisdom and understanding is of more profit than silver and gold, and that nothing we desire can compare with it. And throughout scripture God clearly speaks of the incredible value of the various relationships we are blessed with.
Can you be rich and follow Jesus? ›
No wonder Jesus explicitly warns us that we cannot love and serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). But there is nothing wrong with being rich. The rich are no less holy than others. One can be rich and still love God more than he loves or trusts money.
What did Jesus teach about riches? ›
Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.
What does God consider rich? ›
How God Defines Wealth. Wealth from God's standpoint is not limited to currency. Rich men and women are often miserable. Their bank accounts may be overflowing but their souls are impoverished. Biblical wealth may be defined as the ability to experience and enjoy God's blessings.
What does Jesus say about wealth and riches? ›
– It is hard for those who trust in riches to enter God's Kingdom. Mark 10.23: “Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
How does the Bible describe riches? ›
(5) Chayil regards riches as power (Psalms 62:1; Isaiah 8:4; 10:14). (6) Yithrah means "running over," and so presents riches as abundance (Jeremiah 48:36 the King James Version). Along with this may be placed shua`, which has the idea of breadth, and so of abundance (Job 36:19 the King James Version).
