Striking It Rich

Striking It Rich

Have you ever watched the show, “Let’s Make a Deal!”? I remember watching this show when I was younger and trying to imagine what I would do with the money if I were to strike it rich. There are many people today who dream of “striking it rich.” Can I share with you today that many people are already rich and don’t realize it because they keep watching for their earthly riches to arrive? Stop the fantasizing and let’s look at what God’s Word says about being rich.

If you are a child of God, you’ve already struck it rich. You have been given a treasure that is accessible to you for the rest of your life. All you have to do is learn how to tap into the resources available to you.

In Colossians 3:16, the apostle Paul wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Richly comes from the Greek word plousios that describes the following: extreme wealth, incredible abundance, great prosperity, and immense riches. Are you getting the picture? Paul is saying that if we get into the Word of God and allow the Word of God to get into us, then it will enrich us spiritually and make us billionaires.

I know you are asking, “How can the Word make us spiritually rich?" Paul continues to tell us what the Word can produce in us if we allow it. He says, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

These words describe someone so full of the Word of God that their entire being is affected – hearts are full of joy, minds are flooded with wisdom and understanding, and mouths singing praises. Looks to me like Paul is saying that these people have struck it rich spiritually!

When the Word of God comes into your life with full authority and dwelling in your heart, it enriches you with the wisdom, gifts, and the power you need for today. You are so full of God that He comes spilling out on all who come near. When you are filled with the Word you can’t contain its life-giving flow. By using the word “richly” in this verse, Paul is painting a picture of what the Word of God will produce for you if you allow it to live in your heart and mind.

So if you are feeling spiritually weak and tired, don’t take another step without making the decision to let God’s Word play a major role in your life. If you do, you will instantly become a spiritual billionaire! Then you can be generous with your words and your efforts.

Ponder today how you can give God’s Word the priority it should be in your life.

As I was praying today, I felt the need to give the Word of God a priority in this devotional. I was tempted to write about the filthy Grammy Awards and how Christians struggle on how to live out their faith in an increasingly secular world. One minute we are outraged by a secular society pushing the envelope and then we do nothing about it. TV networks and politicians count on us to postpone our actions after our anger has subsided. They know we will go right back and support another show or buy another product they endorse or vote for them because of other issue. I feel better that I didn’t pull my soap box out. Just live your life according to the Word of God, stand strong in this compromising world, and do all things with Jesus leading the way. Then you will know the Will of God and His Holy ways.

I’m looking forward to a great day on Sunday. Pray the snow will hold off so we can all come and worship as one.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike