Rich Dad, Poor SonSample

DAY 3: RICH IN POSSESSIONS, POOR IN SPIRIT

Welcome to Day 3.

One of the most famous examples in the Bible of imbalance between material wealth and spiritual depth is the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22). This young man had possessions, influence, and morality. He kept the commandments and approached Jesus seeking eternal life. But when Jesus asked for the most important thing, his attachment to wealth, he walked away sad. He had much in his hands but very little in his heart.

This young man represents many believers today. People with success, stability, and even moral principles… but lacking spiritual depth. They enjoy financial favor but do not know the God who gave them the power to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Pause for a second and reread that verse. It might explain a lot about your life.

In 2016, a study by the National Endowment for Financial Education revealed that 70% of lottery winners in the U.S. end up bankrupt. Why? Because having abundance without spiritual maturity or financial preparation is like putting gold in a child’s hands. The problem is not the wealth itself, but the lack of a foundation to sustain it.

Jesus didn’t condemn the young man for having money. He confronted him because of what money occupied in his heart. Jesus asked him to sell everything because He knew that his possessions had become his god. The young man was so full of things that there was no room left for God. Abundance without purpose is just vanity. Having a lot but not knowing why you have it is just as dangerous as having nothing. Jesus saw enormous potential in this young man, but He also saw a divided heart. And a divided heart cannot fully follow Him. What this young man didn’t understand was that giving up his possessions wasn’t a loss, it was an exchange. Jesus wasn’t trying to make him poor. He was inviting him into true wealth. But the young man chose the temporary over the eternal.

Today, God is still calling believers with abundance to surrender everything. Not to impoverish them, but to use them for His Kingdom. Having resources is not wrong. The danger is when the resources have you.

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REFLECTION:

• Do you have riches… or do the riches have you?
• Where does God rank in your heart compared to your possessions, your dreams, or your influence?

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MEDITATION:

Be honest: Are you cultivating your spiritual life with the same intentionality that you put into growing financially?

Also reflect on your readiness to manage wealth. Those who focus only on receiving, without building spiritual depth, end up being poor… even with money in the bank.