Friday Reading: Revelation 2 9a
 
Key Verse: Revelation 2 9a
9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)...

Devotion:
I know it is always dangerous to take a phrase from God's Word but I would like you to think on this one. If you want to take it in context then read verses 8 through 11, but for now I want you for focus on the four words in bracket (but thou art rich).

So many times in our lives we get despondent because of the things that we do not have or the things that we desire that are too far out of our reach. We see people around us with so many things and we wish we had half of the things that they have... But what we have surpasses all those things around us that we see – if only we would realise just how much God actually means in our lives! We see people that are rich and famous and drool at the cars they drive and the clothes they wear – never mind the mansions... We see people that live on the street and cuddle up in cardboard boxes for warmth... Yet we do not see what is inside each of them. We have an idea by the way they act, but we can never truly see in their hearts.

We may well be in one of those categories, or we may be anywhere in between – others around us are going to have the same difficulty seeing what is in our hearts as we do with them... Unless we are more willing to wear it on the outside... Why shouldn't we? We see the rich and famous wearing all sorts of things on the outside – because they can. We see the poor and needy always searching for things and wearing rags – because they have to. I can guarantee that if we were pushed into a position of great wealth, we would go out and buy all manner of luxury items. If we were pushed into debt we would manage with what we have until we can find something different...

What we have in Christ is so much more than mere riches and yet we continue to hide it in our hearts so that nobody else will see! The richness we have in God is something that we should be proud of. It is a richness that we need others to see so that they can be encouraged to come and find out what we have. It is a wealth that we need others to want.

Points to Ponder:
What would you do with one million pounds?
 
How much do you show off your riches in Christ?