how would you like your riches?

so i have been really reflective lately, which usually is the reason i feel compelled to write anyways, but i just feel this nagging in my core or my soul or you know- something equally deep and meaningful like that- and it has been there for about a year or so now and it is begging to be put down in physical form it seems (it settled on virtual form though), so here we go….

when i first say riches what comes to mind? well, initially, money of course.  money is an issue for everyone on the planet: you dont have enough, you arent making enough, how do you spend it wisely, if you have too much how do you give it, this people group dont have any, will i have enough, why does the government take so much…. you get the idea.

but riches is so far beyond money. it is in our relationships, in our kindness the kindness bestowed upon us by others, it is in the joy of good news, the peace in our hearts even after a great loss, and it is the rest our souls receive even when all around us has seemingly gone crazy. it is in the little things, and it is in the things our gracious heavenly Father provides for us freely. FREELY! and ironically enough, most of the things i mentioned above are things you cannot buy with any currency in the world.  our society might experience temporary happiness, but they will always lack true joy when chasing after a dollar. i like the saying, “no one ever lay on their death bed wishing they had spent more time at the office.” so true.  not even the richest (monetarily speaking) man in the world takes a single dollar with him when he goes.  i find it very sombering to remember that Jesus calls money “the root of all evil”.  not some evil, all evil.  big words coming from the most important guy to ever walk the planet. 

so, i ask you as i have had to ask myself lately: in what manner would you like your riches?  even knowing all of the above it has admittedly been a struggle, but it is something i hope i never lose perspective of.