“whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;” Ephesians 3:7-9
Riches. There’s a tricky and intriguing word. Riches means many different things to different people. To an orphan in Haiti it could mean a meal on the table 3 times a day. To a tribesman in Africa it could mean a goat, a half-dozen chickens and a small vegetable garden. To a homeless families on the streets of New York it could mean a place to live with running water, bed, blankets, electricity, food in the refrigerator and clean clothing. To a businessman in California it could mean a six-figure job, a large house, a new car and money to travel and play.
Most kids dream of growing up and being rich. I did. My idea of being rich was that I was going to have 10 cats and a big house and every cat was going to have its own room AND I was going to have a full-sized popcorn wagon in my living room so I could have fresh popcorn any time I wanted. I had it ALL figured out.
Thankfully, my dream did not come true. I have 3 cats, none of which I chose to be part of the family, and I make popcorn on the stove in a big skillet; the best popcorn in the world. It seems like kids dreams of riches hit reality right about 2nd to 3rd grade and our priorities change with circumstances. That’s because at that age all that they can really grasp is physical realities of riches. There is so much more.
My definition of rich changed repeatedly over a course of many years, seasoned with life challenges. I always felt rich when I had my children, a home, the resources to care for them, and a car that always started. Rich was “I Love You” at bedtime and hand-drawn pictures on the refrigerator. Rich was being wanted and needed. Then I met Christ.
How can we express or explain the “Riches of Christ?” In Ephesians 3:8, KJV says the “Unsearchable Riches.” The Message calls it the “Inexhaustible Riches and Generosity” of Christ. NLT says the “Endless Treasures” of Christ. Something so big, so vast, so “Rich” that it can hardly be explained in words. It is something tangible, but it is also something that can only be felt and experienced. It is something so pure, so true, so unexplainable, that we often fail to recognize it as a “Richness.” “Richness” is a gift given to the believer that has surrendered his life to Christ, it is all of the promises of God (Phil 4:19, Prov 10:22, 2 Cor 9:8).
Ephesians 1:18 (KJV) says “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” God wants us to understand what the gifts are that He has placed before us. Every gift is written clearly in the scriptures. God gave us everything we need to understand and receive these precious gifts.
Isaiah 45:3 says we have hidden “Riches” in the secret places. These would include peace, rest, grace, mercy, and pardon. In Luke, God sent the Holy Spirit (to lead and guide us) and a promise of our Daily Bread (food for the soul). Jesus brought healing (body, soul, spirit) and left the healing gifts to be continued by the Apostles and on to the saints of today. In 2 Chronicles he brought us wisdom, knowledge and salvation. God says He will cleanse us whiter than snow (Isaiah 1:18). We were given the gift of prayer and the answer to those prayer (Hebrews 8:26). And the most valuable gifts of all, the gifts of Salvation and Eternal Life (John 3:16-17). We were given these gifts of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19), the Riches of Christ, for the price of faith and belief. Nothing more.
So, what is my definition of being Rich today, since I have lived a life dedicated to Christ? I would say being Rich would be having a strong faith, good health, loving children, daily provision, and the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the scriptures as they apply to my life. I think being Rich is also being able to share those Riches with other people.
** A Journey Through Ephesians, Chapter 3, Part 3
Written by Linda J. Humes
11-13-2015
Linda J. Humes 