July 8

Rich Toward God

And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” — Luke 12:15 BSB

I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. — Phil 4:18 BSB

Let us never forget the profound truth that life is not defined by what we possess, but by who we are; not by material goods, but by the qualities of our character. We often ask, “How much was he worth?” when someone dies, expecting an answer in terms of wealth. But surely a person’s worth is found in their love, humility, generosity, and kindness. Take away some people’s wealth and there is nothing left; but if you stripped everything from St. John, St. Paul, St. Francis, or Wesley, they would still be the richest souls in history! “Poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

The rich man in Jesus’ parable made three mistakes. First, he thought his wealth was his alone. There’s no hint that he acquired it dishonestly, but his abundant harvests were due to God’s goodness, not merely his own efforts. Yet, he never lifted his eyes in gratitude to God. Aren’t we all prone to this, attributing success to our own shrewdness while forgetting God’s role?

Second, he believed the best place for his surplus was in barns, forgetting the many poor souls around him. When we accumulate more than we need, we should think about how to help others, not just about making further investments.

Third, he thought material goods could satisfy his soul. But how often do we see people surrounded by wealth, yet still unsatisfied? We should give freely—not just money, but also love, kindness, and human sympathy—knowing that we are constantly receiving from God’s boundless resources.

Prayer

Help us, O God, to set our hearts on things above, not on earthly possessions, for nothing on earth can truly satisfy the hearts You created for Yourself. Amen.