Rich in Poor Things

Based on Proverbs 13-15, 2 Corinthians 5

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."

Proverbs 13:7

Turns out, stuff is not fulfilling. Worldly status is not fulfilling. We could be sitting on top of the world, surrounded by things obtained over time, but at the same time, we can feel the lowest of the low in a pile of nothingness. This is just a constant reminder that a lowly, poor & humble spirit is one that will always feel rich, because everything worked for & received is seen as a blessing, not just another thing in the pile...

"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: But he that gathereth by labour shall increase." Proverbs 13:11

Are we intentional about what we gather? Do we work hard with a goal to give glory to God instead of a goal to gain? When God is our goal, we can be rich in poor things! The world may give us a "below average" rating, but we are just here for the temporary, waiting on our mansion with Jesus in Heaven!

"In the house of the righteous is much treasure: But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble." Proverbs 15:6

What could look like a heap of wonderful things could actually be a whole lot of cumbersome trouble...each thing we obtain needs to then be cared for, stored & used...and sometimes, if we are not careful, we can become hoarders of vain objects rather than receivers of blessings from God! Those blessings can sometimes come in the form of materialistic things we need or desire, but Spiritual treasure stretches far beyond that! We have treasures of God's love, peace, joy, safety & so much more! It may look like nothing, it may look like we are poor, but our hearts are very rich!

"He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live." Proverbs 15:27

This doesn't mean we don't have to accept gifts, but our goal in life should not be to gain!

"but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" Matthew 6:20

It is quite possible to be rich in "poor" things!