Written by Janna Shick
What are your financial goals? Is it your life’s mission to become rich or reach the top of the global wealth pyramid? Do you strive to possess a net worth exceeding $1 million dollars? Have you ever considered intangible wealth? This wealth is not cryptocurrency or other investments, but something far more valuable.
The soul is not visible on an x-ray nor can its location be pinpointed by a medical professional. Yet, every human has one given to them by God. Often the wellbeing of the soul is overlooked or ignored, for its appearance cannot be observed as easily as glancing into the mirror each morning. You may monitor specific health concerns through a smart watch or track your finances through a mobile app. There is no technological gadget or app to monitor your soul.
Some may judge the prosperity of their spiritual well-being by their physical assets or standard of living. However, Jesus warns us that material gain is a false sense of security, often deceiving an individual of the true status of their soul. “…I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest thou not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor…” (Revelation 3:17)
What does an impressive financial portfolio compare to a soul that is not pleasing to God? “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) Where do you gain riches for your soul? How can you be wealthy spiritually?
At the Church of God, we do not promote prosperity over godliness as is popular among some evangelical Protestant groups. While we know God will supply all of our needs, the wealth we strive for cannot be given a literal price value. The wealthy Christian is not measured by material blessings but rather by the spiritual wealth that comes from having a personal connection or relationship with God.
In the third chapter of Ephesians, the apostle Paul talks about “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” He gives several examples of priceless valuables the Christian can have in their experience with God. We can have the boldness to reach our heavenly Father, confident that He hears our prayers and will answer as He deems best for our situation. We can be strengthened by His Holy Spirit which will give us courage to keep standing strong in our morals and conviction of Truth. Our heart can be secure and firmly grounded because Christ dwells within us.
We can also know His love “which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (v.19) The wealthy Christian can live simply. Our lot in life does not need to rely upon fine houses and lands or to keep up with the latest fashion trends. Prosperity is measured by the amount of joy and peace we have in our souls. Stock markets fluctuate; crises can destroy physical fortune.
Yet no power of hell or scheme of man can ever bankrupt spiritual wealth! Endeavor to store up eternal riches; to grow spiritually. We must take time to be holy, to hide the truth of God’s Word in our heart and to communicate with God through prayer and meditation. This does not mean we withdraw from society or abstain from our daily routine. God expects His people to obey His commandments in the Bible and not add or detract from them. There is no need to go to extreme changes in lifestyle to achieve spiritual prosperity. Neither is it expected of us to go through life poor and destitute of basic needs.
Jesus would often retreat to a quiet place away from the crowd to spend time in prayer. However, He did not stay there. God the Father, had work for Him to fulfill. So it is with us today, we have the Great Commission to carry out. The community around us needs to see, know and understand that the life of a Christian is not a meager existence. It is full of riches and grace!
While you may not have an abundance of funds in your bank account, you can be a millionaire in your soul. You can be a wealthy Christian! “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
