I’m finally back home after a short trip to Russia and a camping trip halfway across America and back. I’ve had time to think, and a lot of my thinking has been about how rich I am. This trip has showed me that. You probably expect me to share stories of the poverty I have seen. From a physical and spiritual standpoint, I have found poverty in Russia. But I have also found wealth, tremendous wealth, more than I have found in any other place. To those who think that a life of service is a life of poverty, let me tell you what wealth and poverty really are.

Wealth is having stashes of spontaneous notes from little children, saying things like “Thank you for everything”, and “I love you”.

Wealth is the clasp of a grandmother’s hand, telling you how thankful she is to see you again.

Wealth is the embrace of a child who hasn’t seen you for a long time, and still loves you.

Wealth is having a friend who is so happy to see you she sets aside everything in order to spend a day with you.

Wealth is having a friend who says they will pray for you, and then actually does.

Wealth is spending so much money on other people, that you only have a little left over for yourself.

Wealth is smiles, laughter, hugs, and lots of time spent together.

Wealth is looking someone in the eye that you have never met before, and feeling instantly that this is your brother or sister, because they love Jesus too.

Wealth is holding hands in prayer with other believers who may have differences, but have decided to set aside those differences for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.

Wealth is having someone tell you that God must have sent you to them, because no one else ever does anything like this for them.

Wealth is giving someone the first New Testament they have ever owned, because they said they wanted to read it and learn more about God.

Wealth is praying with someone who is searching for God and has finally decided to open their heart to Him.

Wealth is being able to tell a woman who feels that God will never forgive her for aborting her children that God’s forgiveness and love is big enough to cover all of her sins.

Wealth is caring for someone who cannot even physically say “Thank you” and enjoying it, knowing that these are exactly the people that God invites into His kingdom.

Wealth is working really hard, and having so much work to do that you know you will never finish it all, and laughing out loud about it because you know it’s the Lord’s work and He is completely in charge.

Wealth is praying with someone on the streets of Moscow where everyone can see you, knowing that God can open up someone’s heart in any place at any time.

Wealth is telling a child “I love you” and hearing them say “I love you” back.

Wealth is receiving the verbal blessing of other Christians, knowing that they are sincere.

Wealth is coming home with empty pockets because you gave it all away to those who needed it far more than you do.

Wealth is when people ask you to come back, then start expecting you to come back, and then tell you to come back.

Wealth is loving so many people that you don’t even know where to start.

Wealth is having compassion.

Wealth is loving others.

Wealth is working hard.

Wealth is knowing that the blood of Jesus covers all of my sins.

Wealth is giving. Everything.

Wealth - real wealth – is Christ Himself.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?

(Isaiah 55:2)

Now I will show you what poverty is.

Poverty is coming home to an empty house every night – because your spouse and children can’t stand to be around you any more.

Poverty is coming home with full pockets because you have no one else to spend it on.

Poverty is spending so much time in front of a screen that you don’t even know what the real world is like.

Poverty is having a beautifully clean house that no one else ever sees, because you never invite them.

Poverty is always being frustrated, angry, and temperamental because nothing ever goes your way – just like it’s supposed to.

Poverty is never receiving scribbled, misspelled notes from a child telling you they love you.

Poverty is never having a child spontaneously make you a cup of tea and give you a cookie, “just because”.

Poverty is never hearing any one tell you “Thank you” – and really mean it.

Poverty is never telling anyone “Thank you” – because no one is ever good enough for you.

Poverty is being constantly bored, because you are always worried about being safe, and therefore restrict yourself to a very small comfort zone.

Poverty is not knowing the reality of God’s goodness, because you have never even bothered to trust Him.

Poverty is not having anyone in the world who is really excited to see you, because you never do much for anyone else.

Poverty is not being able to laugh when everything actually does go wrong.

Poverty is being proud of that big new church building – which contains not one soul that you led to Christ or helped to grow in Christ.

Poverty is not being sure that God will provide for all of your needs.

Poverty is wondering why people aren’t paying attention to you, while forgetting that you hardly ever pay any attention to them.

Poverty is complaining about all the work you have to do.

Poverty is not having a well-worn Bible.

Poverty is not having a heart that is broken by the sorrows of others, because you never bothered to get involved.

Poverty is always being perfectly clean because you strictly avoid places and people that aren’t.

Poverty is never knowing what it is like to help someone else have a better life.

Poverty is making sure that I am always safe and secure without regard for the fact that a great many people around the world today do not know what it is like to feel safe.

Poverty is worrying about the personal sacrifices I must make in order to help others without giving a thought for the heavenly rewards God has promised.

Poverty is not having hope for the future.

Poverty is keeping too much for myself.

Poverty is worrying.

Poverty is thinking too much about me.

Poverty is assuming that living a comfortable life is a right.

Poverty is not trusting God.

Poverty is not knowing God.

Poverty is not knowing the intense joy of enduring suffering for Christ.

Poverty is not living life solely for the approval and glory of God.

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of
thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.”

(Revelation 3:18)

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