Richness is having God’s consciousness. It is alertness, doing all for God and trusting in his divine providence. This is self-emptying that helps us to be filled utter fullness of God. The rich are not those who have much property or estate but those who have learn to master the use of whatever they have. Mastery then, is more than the ability to manage things; it is the freedom from being controlled by them.
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Jesus wants us to translate all we do or have into means of following him. Nothing on earth should take us away from his kingdom of love. Hence, true riches is found in God and serving him alone in our brothers and sisters. To serve others, we must empty ourselves. When we are full of ourselves or encumbered by our estate we may not be able to attend to the needs of others. Ultimate fulfilment lies in being able to look beyond ourselves to impact others.
More so, if all things belong to God, there is no reason to envy anyone for their possessions, nor to boast about our own. Our true glory lies in the dominion we share with God over all that he has made. It is God’s pleasure to give us the kingdom. Possessing the kingdom consciousness is to be active in God’s work, seeing the eternal dimension of all we do. That helps to see beyond material possessions and look towards our heavenly goal, which is nothing but living with God in eternity.
However, the place of faith cannot be overlooked in the journey towards eternity. Though our life experiences may oftentimes seem cruel, our existence beyond space and time, worth more than what we see to be enjoyment here on earth. The letter to the Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19, makes strong reference to Abraham. He was looking forward to the city whose designer and builder is God. We too must put our minds on that place where true treasures lie, heaven.
May we always be intent in doing God’s will, that we may possess the riches of his kingdom. Amen.
