Rev 3:17 You say, “I am rich. I have acquired great wealth and need nothing!” – in reality you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
You are poor and blind! This stark warning to the Church at Laodicea could easily be said to many in the world today. Many people have money, pleasures, and possessions, but few seem to know how to acquire true wealth. True wealth isn’t money: it isn’t possessions. In fact, Jesus implied that worldly riches blind people to their actual poverty.
In Kenya, we are fortunate that our 6 youngest kids attend Greenvale Academy – an excellent school where the teachers are kind and qualified. Many upper middle-class families send their kids to Greenvale. We have seen a striking difference between our children and the children from those families. Most students at Greenvale have the latest shoes, phones and toys, have several TVs in their homes, and eat fast food quite often. Our kids have suffered hardships, and even now don’t have many earthly possessions. All 8 kids share one bicycle and two pair of roller blades. Their few shoes are adequate, but mostly second hand. We don’t have a single TV. However, our kids can focus without being distracted, read books for leisure, and are truly content with few things. They are kind, appreciative, and respectful of others. Many of their peers are spoiled, self-centered, treat others with disrespect, and are easily distracted. Those children have so many possessions and privileges, yet they are poor and blind.
In Revelation 3:18 Jesus says, “Aquire gold from Me that is refined by fire. Buy from Me clothes to cover your shame.” The gold He is speaking of is depth of character: wealth we acquire as we follow His example. Wealth is learning how to treat people with respect, even the simplest courtesy of thanking a waiter. Wealth is the ability to bless rather than curse. It is learning how to walk in love, self-control, joy, forgiveness, and thankfulness. “Buy from Me clothes …”. Especially today, acquiring true wealth in a world of blinding riches is difficult. “Buy” implies cost. This wealth isn’t free, but it is true and lasting. It is more desirable than earthly gold. I am proud of my kids, but often confronted by my own poverty. We must all work daily to acquire more of this eternal wealth that enriches our lives, our families, and this world that is rich in the things that make one blind and poor.