Empower: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts Shembull

Riches of the Spirit

One Christmas, my Grandpa Davis didn't open his presents. My Aunt Ann unwrapped an extravagant bottle of perfume from her husband. Aunt Eva presented us, kids, with our annual gift of underwear. But Grandpa left his pile undisturbed. At the end of the night, they were stowed away in the hall closet. I still don't know why.

Just like my grandpa, you could have riches stashed away, unclaimed, waiting in limbo—not physically speaking, but spiritually.

God has riches stored up especially for you. These presents can't be found in a mall, in a bank vault, or on the internet. Although they don't cost money, they are invaluable. The apostle Paul told the Ephesians that God wants to make us wealthy inwardly rather than materially: "[God] would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16). Better to be rich in God than rich in gold.

Notice Paul didn't say God gives out of His riches, but according to His riches. There's a difference. If a billionaire gave you ten dollars, that's giving out of his estate. But if that billionaire offered you one million dollars, that's according to his wealth. The first idea has to do with portion; the second emphasizes proportion. And God wants to give to you according to His riches. How incredible is that?