In a society where money is everything and prostitution is more acceptable than the poverty, countless people strive to pursue material abundance to have the success and dream life that fit the worldly standard. Many Christians in the church even share the same value. There are even people who judge God's trustworthiness by wealth.
However, what is a truly wealthy person like?
I believe we can't talk about the wealthy without talking about Paul.
Paul had great potential before his calling; born as a Pharisee, studied under Gamaliel, who was held in great esteem by all Jews, and received thorough Biblical training. He was also very enthusiastic about his job-'persecuting Christians.' Nevertheless, even with such a bright future, his life was changed after he met Jesus.
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things." (Philippians 3:7-8)
When Paul met Jesus, he gave up everything he used to have and became a poor evangelist. He could've lived by the Gospel. Instead he worked as a tentmaker to supply himself as well as helping other apostles in need. Yet Paul didn't complain when he was betrayed, stoned, and framed for the sake of the Gospel. He cared about the apostles and the church till he was imprisoned.
So what changed Paul so dramatically?
"Because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:8)
Truly did he realize that the more wonderful foundation is Christ, so he strived to gain the eternal foundation with all his life.
A pastor once said: "To see if a person is wealthy, indeed we need to examine how much wealth, power, knowledge, and love he or she has. However, to see if a person is TRULY wealthy, we have to see what he or she has that can't be taken away. This is why Paul said that the world was like garbage in the face of Jesus."
A TRULY wealthy person deems Christ as his wealth. Instead of relying on money, power, and talent, he or she depends on the Lord Almighty.
Paul was a wise man. He had nothing on earth, but I deeply believe that he had more than anyone else in eternity. Though he is not in this world, his abundant life and wonderful testimony of Christ has stirred generations of servers' hearts.
A TRULY wealthy follower, though having nothing, still helps people in need. Though owning little, still offers a portion.
A TRULY wealthy person is not determined by help received, but how much is given; not by how much is owned, but how many people can be spiritually enrichened.
Even though there is no payback in giving, we still need to give out love; even though love may hurt us, we still need to have the heart to love.
Learn from and imitate Christ and sacrifice ourselves completely.
-Translated by Grace Hubl
