What is a ‘soul’? The soul is the non-physical aspect of a human being. It is also our mind, our willpower, our thoughts and our feelings. That is what the “soul” is.
With the hope of winning a second jackpot of $640 million dollars, Americans spent an estimated $1.5 billion on lottery tickets in a multi-state lottery in early 2012. The odds of winning were a staggering 1 in 176 billion, but people still stood in lines at grocery stores, gas stations and cafes to buy a chance to become rich.
Something inside us makes us think that more money will solve all our problems and improve our lives.
But a man in the Holy Bible had a different perspective on riches when he asked God to grant him one request before he died. “Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion,” said the man, Agur. He clearly believed that to live a life empty of falsehoods and lies was truly rich, and the way to live a spiritual life. Integrity is the key to outliving anxiety.
When we have nothing to hide, we have nothing to fear. Deceitfulness enslaves, and honesty brings liberty and justice for all. Contentment springs up from trust in God as the supplier for our needs and gratefully accepting what He provides.
Agur said “Who has established all the ends of the earth? … God is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Integrity, contentment, gratefulness, holiness, happiness, and the list goes on and on, are riches for the soul. They are available to all.
Our Lord is pleased to give these treasures to everyone who asks. But these do not come from wealth. They are not something you can buy. Contentment, integrity, and kindness come to give you peace and joy when you depend on God’s supply.
Discontentment, ungodliness and chaos (a lack of peace), unkindness and ungratefulness make the soul poor. While contentment, integrity, togetherness and peacefulness can make the soul rich.
Now, I exhort you, my brothers and sisters of great faith or little faith: Warn others that are unruly; comfort the feeble-minded; support the weak and the abandoned; and be patient toward all mankind.
See that no one renders evil unto any man or woman, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and towards all of mankind.
Rejoice everyone. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ, concerning you all.
Feed the spirit, despise not prophesy. Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil. Do this, and so your soul will be rich.
