The Lord wants His children to be rich, not for themselves, but rich in what matters to Him. "You are well acquainted with the favor shown you by our Lord Jesus Christ: how for your sake He made Himself poor though He was rich, so that you might become rich by His poverty" (2 Cor 8:9). When we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized into His riches. Accordingly, the eyes of our hearts must be enlightened to realize "the wealth of His glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the church" (Eph 1:18).

To be rich in what matters to God, we must:

• "avoid greed in all its forms. A man may be wealthy, but his possessions do not guarantee him life" (Lk 12:15),
• not ask "What shall I do?" (Lk 12:17) but "What would Jesus do?",
• not try to provide our own security but rely on our Abba (see Lk 12:18-19), and
• not live to "Relax! Eat heartily, drink well. Enjoy" ourselves (Lk 12:19), but take up our daily crosses (Lk 9:23) and live for love of God.

If we are not rich in what matters to God, our lives are vain (Eccl 1:2) and foolish (Lk 12:20). If we are rich in God, however, we are ready to die now (see Lk 12:20), for we have laid up treasure in heaven (see Mt 6:19-28). "How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!" (Rm 11:33) Let us live in and proclaim "the unfathomable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004