Many years ago there was a rich young man. The rich man was a ruler who exercised power over others. His great wealth spread out before him as far as the eye could see. His life spoke “SUCCESS.” Power, position, possessions and popularity put the world in his hands. One day he met a poor man. The poor man was an out of work carpenter, one who had “nowhere to lay His head” and owned only the clothes on his back. One in whom the world saw nothing of worth. The rich young ruler stretched out his arms before the vagabond showing him the world he held. The dusty itinerant told the young man to cast it all to others. Empty those hands. Trade your speck of an empire for the whole universe. Follow me down the road to true life and life eternal. The rich man turned and walked away, his speck firmly in hand.

The truth be told, that poor man, Jesus of Nazareth, was actually the rich man and that young ruler was actually stymied by poverty. Owning this world is owning nothing. Owning treasures in heaven is everything. In fact, God rightly says to these clutching earthly possessors: “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will these things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21)

Are you and I rich toward God? Have we, are we, doing the work of God? What is the work of God? “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29) Are we sharing “the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes?” (Rom 1:16) Are we “ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear?” (I Pet 3:15) Are we pursuing “peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord?” (Heb 12:14) Are we “not my will, but Thy will be done” folks? (Luke 22:42) Are we loving God and loving people and thereby living out the whole of His commandments? (Mat 22:37-40) These things are being rich toward God.

Well, are you a rich man who is rich toward God? Or a poor man who has walked away, speck firmly in hand?