When we think of being rich, our minds often jump to images of fat bank accounts, big houses, lots of cool stuff, and lavish lifestyles. But what if being rich had nothing to do with money? What if true wealth was something far deeper—something money could never buy?
Many people who are struggling financially, or even those just looking for more in life, often think, If only I had more money, I’d be happy. They wish they could just get ahead, just get a break, just get a little more... but let me tell you something important: money won’t bring you the fulfillment you’re seeking.
Money Won't Buy You Happiness
There’s an old saying: "More money, the more problems." And it’s true. When we talk about being rich, we need to ask ourselves: What is true wealth? For those of you who may not be Christian like I am, I’ll try to explain it without turning you off. Even Greek philosophers, who were secular, understood this—they realized that true happiness comes from limiting your desires (discipline), and being content with what you have right now (minimalism & stoicism).
Rich is a mindset. It’s not about the money in your bank account. It’s about how you view what you have. From a worldly perspective, society has spent your whole life telling you that you need the name brand clothes, the fancy stuff, and the luxurious vacations. But in reality, you begin to achieve riches the moment you realize that what you already have is enough.
I’m wearing a fancy hand made designer shirt while writing this, the best money can buy in fact. Not because I need luxury clothing, but because God gave me the skills to make beautiful things... and I happen to design and produce the clothing myself. If I didn’t have that ability, I’d be wearing a shirt from Goodwill, and I’d still be rich because I’d be content with it.
You Are Already in the Top 1%
Let me blow your mind for a second. If you have a car, a dollar in your bank account, a bed to sleep in, and you’re not starving right now, you are in the top 1% of the richest people in the world. That’s a fact. Look it up. You are already rich, even by societies own standards, but that same society has conditioned you to believe that you aren’t. You're not struggling for your next meal. You aren’t living in slavery, like millions still do today. You have the freedom to read to this message, to drive to work, make your own decisions, and to live your life. That's wealth.
Being Rich Is About Gratitude
The first step in becoming truly rich is realizing that you're already wealthy. Make a list of everything you have to be thankful for. Then, make a list of things money can’t buy: health, knowledge, skills, abilities. Money can’t buy you health or peace of mind, and it can’t buy a single second of extra time on this earth. You are wealthy because you possess things money can’t touch.
That’s the breakthrough: realizing that wealth is about perspective. You’re rich because you have enough. But this mindset shift isn’t easy. You’ll have to fight against a world that constantly tells you otherwise. You’ll have to resist the temptation to compare yourself to your neighbors, to want the bigger house, the faster car. It’s a daily struggle, but once you master it, you will experience a peace that money can never buy.
My Personal Testimony
At this point, I want to share a bit of my personal story. Some of you might think, How can I say I’m rich when I’m struggling? But let me tell you, I know what it’s like to lose everything.
Just a few years ago, I was in a black-site prison in Germany, falsely accused and locked away with no hope of release. Everything I had was taken from me. Yet, here I am today, healthy, strong, and running a successful international business that I re-built from the ground up. How? Because I know that true wealth doesn’t come from money or possessions. It comes from knowing that God has a plan for my life. No matter what happens, He provides for me.
I don’t have to worry about my future because I’m walking in the plan He laid out for me. That’s the kind of riches you can’t buy. That’s the wealth that lasts beyond this life.
Eternal Wealth vs. Temporary Riches
Many people live their lives chasing temporary wealth—money, cars, collectibles, power, status. But eternal riches, the kind that last forever, are worth far more. As a Christian, I believe that we all have a soul, and that this life is just a short testing period before eternity. What we do now determines whether we’ll be rich forever.
The enemy can give you temporary wealth, sure. You can live in luxury for a little while. But that’s short-term thinking. Real wealth is focusing on the eternal. Yes, I could live like a king right now, but that kind of wealth is unfulfilling and temporary. It’s an endless chase that leaves you feeling empty and unsatisfied.
True Wealth is Eternal
The richest person in the world can lose everything in an instant—money, freedom, health. But the riches that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ? Those are eternal. That’s the kind of wealth I want. And it’s the kind of wealth I have. I know that, no matter what happens, I will always have what I need. I’m already rich, and I’ll be rich for eternity.
So, as you go through life, don’t focus on the material things that the world tells you matter. Focus on what truly makes you rich: your health, your family, your faith, and the peace that comes from knowing you’re on the right path. This life is short. Eternity is forever.
4 comments
Thank you. Very grounding.