What are Spiritual Riches?

Listen, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen those who are poor in worldly terms to be affluent in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him? (James 2:5 KJV)

Spiritual riches are mentioned every where in scripture. But what are they?

The Scriptures differentiate between two forms of wealth: earthly and spiritual riches. James 2:5 juxtaposes these, referring to “the poor of this world” and speaking of being “rich in faith.” Today, we delve into spiritual riches, understanding their essence and evaluating our spiritual prosperity.

Being “rich” usually connotes an abundance of something, entailing two core elements: quantity and the nature of the abundance. The nature of the abundance determines the kind of riches. Earthly riches represent a surplus of material possessions, often quantified in monetary terms.

In contrast, spiritual riches encompass the spiritual aspects of a person’s heart. They embody virtues like faith, as exemplified in James 2:5. However, spiritual wealth is not confined to faith; it extends to other spiritual virtues such as the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.), the anointing or God’s power working in our life, divine wisdom, the fruitful outcomes of serving others in God’s name, etc.

In sharp contrast to God’s ways, human beings often favor outward appearances over the heart( 1 Samuel 16:7). Thus, it is understandable that the world may not appreciate spiritual riches. While people scramble to accumulate material wealth, few strive for spiritual richness. Yet, God pays more attention to the heavenly ledger of spiritual billionaires on Earth.

Let’s take a moment to reflect. Are you spiritually rich or poor? How does your bank account in Heaven fare? Enrich your heavenly account with the things that matter most to God—the condition and traits of your heart and character, good works, etc.

Meditate

Pause and reflect on your life in light of the truths unveiled above. What does the Father see in your earthly walk with Him when He looks at you?

Apply the Word

God’s directive regarding spiritual and natural wealth is clear: Pursue His kingdom and righteousness first (spiritual riches), and all else (earthly riches) will follow (Matthew 6:33).

Pray

Implore the Father for His guidance in increasing your spiritual wealth daily.

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