INTRODUCTION

The very mention of true riches demands that there must also be false riches. Much of what the world considers riches is a veil for poverty. While on earth, the Lord appeared to be of the poorest sort (Matthew 8:20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
See All...), all the while being the One that owned it all. The believers at Smyrna were by all appearances poor, but the Lord stated without hesitation that they were rich (Revelation 2:8-9 [8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
See All...). The opposite was true in Laodicea; they claimed to be rich, but knew not that they were poor (Revelation 3:14-17 [14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
See All...). This truth is confirmed in Proverbs 13:7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
See All... when the Bible says, "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) The greatest treasure you can possess is eternal life (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
  See All...; Colossians 1:27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
  See All...). Paul spoke to Felix about true riches, but Felix chose the false riches (Acts 24:24-26 [24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. [26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
  See All...). Hebrews 11:26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
  See All... lets us know that Moses understood what true riches were.
• Read 2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
  See All.... What did the Lord give up to come to this earth? What have you gained in Him since calling upon Him as Saviour?
• Why are carnal riches considered to be false riches according to the Bible? Why are spiritual riches the only true riches? Why are they superior?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for the riches you have in His Son.
• Ask God to show you the superiority of true riches.

HYMN

He Giveth More Grace

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