Ephesians 3:8
“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,”
Whatever riches are varies from person to person. If each of us won the lottery, we would purchase different things. Some would buy a house in a different neighborhood. Others would get a cool car. Some would quit their jobs and travel. Others would treat their friends to parties and gifts. Jesus tended to invert things when He visited earth 2000 years ago. He entered and was raised in a working class family. He never put value in or acquired things. He didn’t play the social heirarchy games. In one of His sermons, He gave the beatitudes. This gives us a hint at what God thinks are riches. Matthew 5:3 says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus is saying that to be poor in spirit is to be rich. So, what does that mean. We are all poor in spirit. The blessing comes when we are aware of it, so that we go to God for His help. God wants us in relationship with Him. Being aware of our great need drives us to Him. We get to know Him and He matures and fills us. To God, this is being rich. One can have great riches and be miserable. We can look at the Hollywood actors and see their public misery. Sometimes getting what we want makes it worse Ps. 106:15 says “And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” When God fills us with the fruit of the Spirit, that’s rich. Galations 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.…”
Today’s passage speak of the unfathomable riches of Christ. In Paul’s preaching, he doesn’t talk about gold and silver. Those aren’t the riches that Christ brings. The gentiles would have flocked to that. Their cultures were like many that valued wealth and riches. His challenge was to attempt to sell them something that they didn’t know they were looking for. The crazy thing is God is the richest one. He is also generous and wants to bless us. It’s just not the way we want. Oddly enough, it really is what’s best for us. So, He wildly blesses us with “love, joy, peace,…” He also blesses us with friends. As we trust Him to lead and guide us, He brings us into circumstances that bless us and others. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” God wants to do such wonderful things that it hasn’t even entered our minds what they are. Those are the unfathomable riches of Christ. Lord, thank You for Your blessings. Help us to submit to You so we can receive them.