Does that question make you think about money?
I bet for the majority of people the answer would be yes.
Here are the definitions for the word rich found on Dictionary.com:
1. having wealth or great possessions; abundantly supplied with resources, means, or funds; wealthy: a rich man; a rich nation.
2. abounding in natural resources: a rich territory.
3. having wealth or valuable resources (usually followed by in ): a country rich in traditions.
4. abounding (usually followed by in or with ): a countryside rich in beauty; a design rich with colors.
5. of great value or worth; valuable: a rich harvest.
Definition number one speaks to the idea of rich being equated with abundance of money. But look at the other four definitions and you will see a wider perspective.
Do you ever consider your natural resources? Your multitude of natural abilities, physically and mentally? Your brain which is a super-computer? Your affinities and talents and natural strengths? Hmmm…couldn’t you be rich in natural resources?
Do you have a heritage that might be rich in experiences? It doesn’t matter if your ancestory are moguls or mongrels, there is tremendous value in the lessons from each. Hmmmm….so your heritage is a blessing either way?
Are you abounding with blessings in a variety of areas of your life? Do you have people that love you? People that are interested in helping you? Do you have the blessings of children? Do you live in a developed nation…which means you have endless opportunity to pursue whatever is in your heart to do? Do you have access to a library or a computer from which you can learn whatever you would like? Hmmmm…are you not rich in these senses?
How much would you take for your hand? Your leg? Would you give away your eyes for a million dollars? No? So then you have multiple parts of you that are worth many times more than a million dollars don’t you? How valuable is good health in general? We know the prices we pay when we are sick, just to have the chance to be healthier. Is someone rich if they have a million dollars? Hmmmm…kind of hard to know isn’t it?
I have met lots of people in my life who have a lot of money, but have little in the way of real relationships, or they have failing and limiting health. I don’t see them as rich…I see them as poor. I feel bad for them.
I have many friends who are massively rich…some of them have a lot of money too….and some don’t.
So….are you rich?
