Are you rich?

Today, do you consider yourself rich? As a man named Paul penned his opening remarks a church in the town of Corinth, he provided some good news to those who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ:

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

In these verses, we see the timeless good news that we have as a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ. And that good news is that God has made us rich in every way through Christ Jesus. First, the Apostle Paul states that followers of Jesus have the riches of the message of the gospel, which he refers to as the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus. Then Paul explains that followers of Jesus have the riches of the knowledge of God. Paul continues by revealing that followers of Jesus have the riches of the proof of God’s activity in our lives. The proof and the truth of the message of the gospel is revealed in God's transforming activity in our lives as followers of Jesus.

Fourth, the Apostle Paul states that followers of Jesus have the riches of having everything we need spiritually. Paul explains that the members of the church in Corinth were not lacking in any gift. Paul’s point is that as followers of Jesus, we have everything that we need spiritually in order to faithfully live life here on earth. Paul concludes by stating that followers of Jesus have the riches of the promise regarding Christ’s return. He explains that Christ will not only strengthen His followers to remain firm in our commitment to Him while we wait for His return; Paul also explains that God is faithful. What Paul was communicating here in this simple phrase is that God is worthy of our confident trust in our relationship with Christ. God is a promise maker and God is a promise keeper.

So are you rich?