In one week’s time, which was just two and a half weeks ago, my family experienced two losses. While facing my losses, I was forced to face my riches. The first loss was the tragic and unexpected death of one of my good friends, De, who was thirty-six years old as well as four and a half months pregnant with her third child. The second loss was the death of my eighty-seven-year-old great-uncle, Jack, the last “grandparent” figure in our small family.

During my Uncle Jack’s funeral, the pastor said something which caused me to put down my tear-soaked tissue for a moment and think. Yes, there will be a void in my heart for both De and Uncle Jack. But, we celebrate their lives and how we are richly blessed by knowing them. And, we will get to see them one day in heaven because both had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Richly blessed, rich? We don’t seem to hear that word a lot today. The pastor went on to say that there are three “F’s” to the greatest riches in the world. These are faith, family, and friends. When we have faith, we are children of the richest King in the world! That King makes us heirs to mansions in heaven.

I am rich because I have a family that cares for and loves me. If I didn’t have a family like this, who knows where I would be after receiving life-threatening injuries in my car crash in which two of my friends perished? Would I have received the best medical care and treatment or just been admitted to any medical facility?

I am rich because I have friends that care how my family is doing. They help celebrate successes and are there when I hit milestone birthdays. When times are tough, I remind myself of the blessings in my life. And suddenly, I remember I’m rich, and life is grand again. Though there are times when money may be tight, look around you. You have the keys to life’s greatest riches.

Take a look to see what part the three “F’s” play in your life. Do you make time for your faith? Your family? Your friends? If not, what’s stopping you? As I see it, the three “F’s” don’t cost any money. But, they do “cost” time.

Here are three thoughts to gain the greatest riches in your life today: 1. Invest in your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Spend more quality time with your family. This could be taking a walk around your neighborhood or going to the park, or maybe even sitting down and eating dinner together at least five times a week. 3. Get together for fellowship and great times with friends.

It’s time well invested, and riches well received.

To your wealth!

by Darcy Keith

Meditation: So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Excess and Excuses
The Richest Man in Idaho
The Secret to Being Happy