Yes, the title is not entirely click bate, there is a tried and true method, to acquire real, ever lasting richness.
But first let’s talk about what richness is not. That huge pile of money in your bank account, that big house, fancy car, or exotic vacation… nope… they’re not it. I’m sure they can provide a certain amount of temporary pleasure… so I hear. But here’s what they can’t give you… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control nor wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, nor fear of the Lord.
Does that mean that owning things is in itself bad? Of course not, they are just things… it’s your attachment to them that can catapult your life into a very bad place, and make you a slave to them. So it’s not what you own, but what owns you.
In today’s gospel we read.
“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”” – Mark 10:24-25
So many want to manipulate the above message so badly wanting to change its meaning… saying the ‘eye of a needle’ was actually a gate… yada, yada… just to say that it’s not impossible, only difficult.
In the next couple of verses He tells us just that it’s not just hard…it’s impossible for men!
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God.
So STOP it! It’s impossible to get to heaven with soul ATTACHMENTS… aka ‘being rich’, trusting and depending on your own sustenance.
So here’s the key to real richness as promised in the title … put God and His Kingdom first … and then, and only then will everything else be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
“Oh Lord, make haste to help me! As for me I am poor and needy; but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God.“ -Psalm 40:17