REFLECTION: The True Riches

A Theme developed from Luke 16:11.

Newspapers and magazines often list the richest people on earth today. Pop stars, celebrities from the world of entertainment, sports personalities, business tycoons and the heads of gigantic corporations are named and their total wealth – known or presumed – is estimated. Lists of this kind may change, for the richest person this month may not be at the top next month.

One of America’s richest citizens in 1990 was Malcolm Forbes. Even today his name is legendary. With six palatial homes, a South Pacific island, eighty motorcycles, his own personal Boeing 727 jet airliner, thirteen hot air balloons, and two million dollars to spend on his 70th birthday party, here was a man who was one of the richest! You may have read similar accounts describing the wealth and extravagant lifestyle of Arabic sheikhs or oil magnates. People like this are often envied for their accumulated riches and possessions.

Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of riches when He was on earth and warned His listeners of “the deceitfulness of riches,” (Mt.13:22 KJV) which can prevent the Word of God being effective in an individual’s life. Riches are “uncertain”, (1 Tim.6:17). How easily they can make themselves wings and fly away, (Prov.23:5)! Malcolm Forbes did not live long after his carefully-planned birthday extravaganza. Like every other human being, when he died he left all his worldly possessions behind.

The Scriptures make it clear that Christian believers are stewards and must be faithful with what God has entrusted to them. Although this is an important subject and is worthy of careful and personal consideration, it is not the purpose of this article to deal with the matter of stewardship. Instead we are going to consider riches of another kind – those referred to by our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 16:11 as the true riches. What can these be?

 

RICHES OF – GRACE

In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul mentions “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph.3:8) and states that he was appointed by God to proclaim this profound truth among the Gentiles. Oh, the riches of God’s grace! Displaying totally undeserved favour to us, God provided His own dear Son as a substitute who would die in our place. Through the shedding of His precious blood redemption is available and the forgiveness of sins is possible. All this, we are told, is “according to the riches of His grace,” (Eph.1:7). This is a great theme of praise – one that will occupy the saints of God throughout eternity. Indeed, in the ages to come God is going to display “the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus,” (Eph.2:7). Once we were dead in our sins, far away from God and without hope, but by His gracious intervention He has reached us in our lost condition and has raised us to the heavenly places where we are now seated with Christ Jesus. This is not just grace but the exceeding riches of it! Such grace brings the forgiven sinner to glory!

 

RICHES OF – GLORY 

In the same epistle (and in others) Paul writes about the riches of God’s glory. This great work of salvation in the “vessels of mercy” who have been prepared for glory demonstrates “the riches of His glory,” (Rom.9:23). We need to see this clearly, and Paul turned to God in prayer that the saints at Ephesus might be enlightened in order to grasp the hope of God’s calling and appreciate “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” (Eph.1:18). Notice that Paul is not thinking here of the believer’s inheritance but of God’s own inheritance in His redeemed people. God has been enriched eternally by the cross. His grace has been transformed into glory!

We must not think that those “riches of glory” have only a future significance. In his second recorded prayer in Ephesians, Paul beseeches God that by His Spirit He might strengthen His people with power, “according to the riches of His glory,” (Eph.3:16). A plentiful supply is therefore available, for according to those riches God gives His people the power that they need both to receive His truth and to live for Him. Notice that His giving is not “according to our needs” but according to the riches of His glory. How wonderful! According to those same “riches in glory” that are at His disposal, God is able to meet all the needs of His people now, (Phil.4:19). How different those needs are – but all the resources are available for all His people. He does not give “out of” those riches – for if He did, we might think that the supply could be diminished. Rather, it is according to those riches that He gives through Christ Jesus, the only Mediator.

 

RICHES OF – GOODNESS

In his epistle to the Romans Paul writes of the “goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” of God, (Rom.2:4). Such “goodness” should lead us to repentance as we appreciate how guilty we are before Him and how we deserve His righteous judgment on account of our sins. “The riches of His goodness” should never be despised by the sinner. Paul, in this particular epistle, demonstrates the remarkable goodness of God in bringing Gentiles into the blessings of the gospel. Elsewhere he declares that this was a “mystery” – something not revealed in earlier times. The Church is the body of Christ, and He is its head. Gentiles, as well as Jews, have been incorporated into that body, Christ within our hearts being “the hope of glory,” (Col.1:27). God has now made known to us “the riches of the glory of this mystery”.

Just as His grace has brought us to glory, so His goodness has done the same. This salvation for the Gentiles, Paul tells us, has come about through “the fall” of Israel. It has brought “riches” to us, (Rom.11:12). Such riches have come to us from God’s unlimited store. Well might we exclaim: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Rom.11:33). Paul’s concern was that believers might enter into the “riches of the full assurance of understanding” of these wonderful truths, (Col.2:2). May our hearts desire this as we acknowledge what God has done for us in Christ!

 

TIME AND ETERNITY

Two final New Testament Scriptures speak of riches. Moses, we are told, was a man of faith. Egypt’s wealth did not attract him. Instead he chose to cast in his lot with the people of God and suffer reproach for the sake of the Christ whose coming he anticipated. Just consider that! He evaluated things and considered “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt,” (Heb.11:26). His perspective was correct, for his attention was fixed on eternal things. Christ mattered more to him than any other. If “the reproach of Christ” was worth more than Egypt’s treasures, what value can be placed upon the glories of Christ?

Like Moses we need an eternal perspective. Suffering for Him now must be expected, but it will be followed by glory – and what glory that will be! As the New Testament closes we are introduced to an angelic company proclaiming the praises of the Lord Jesus Christ and declaring: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing,” (Rev.5:12). Did you notice the second attribute? Riches are His. He is worthy of eternal riches for all that He has done.

 

Hattie E. Buell wrote:-

My Father is rich in houses and lands,

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,

His coffers are full – He has riches untold.

I’m the child of a King! The child of a King!

With Jesus my Saviour, I’m the child of a King!   (1)

 

Everything in the universe is His, but He has wonderful spiritual riches that He wants to share with His children. As His people, let us be concerned with the true riches.

 

(1)Hymn 946 in Ira Sankey’s Sacred Songs & Solos.