Riches Are Relative

(Proverbs 10:4 KJV)  He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Recently I was discussing what it means to be “rich” (6238).  How much material wealth does God want us to have?  Does He care all that much if we have nice things or not?  I have also been thinking about what it has taken to make me feel rich over the years.

When I was a child there was a guy at church that was always giving kids a quarter.  I can remember how rich I felt when I had that twenty five cents in my hand.  Of course in that day it would buy me two large candy bars and some penny candy.  What more could anyone want.  In high school a five dollar bill could make me feel like life was good.  As I got older it took more to make me feel secure.

By the measure of most of the world, I am rich.  By the measure of America I have enough to make it through without want.  That is financial.  When it comes to the things that Proverbs would include in the formula of wealth I am also blessed.  I forget that sometimes.  God has a way of reminding me.

So?  My sense of well-being is based on more than a bank account.  I have tried to establish a routine that will remind me of that on a regular basis.  Writing this each day is a part of that ritual.  It forces me to engage in the important things of life.  I do it at the beginning of the day.  God rewards.