“Hi. How are you?” That’s a common greeting. I’ve heard a variety of responses: “Good”, “OK”, “Better than I deserve.”  “Blest.” Sometimes it’s “could be better”, “it’s Monday.” or frequently “Busy”.  What I’ve never heard anyone say is, “wealthy.”

     We don’t usually think of our state of being as “wealthy”. Yet we are.  We often deny our wealth by looking to those who have more than us, often in terms of money or worldly goods. The truth is that there are many forms of wealth.

    If you can read this, you are wealthy.  You have eyes that see.  You can read in the English language which means that you have a certain level of education.  You have some relationship to this congregation.  You have breath which comes without thinking or effort.  You have an internet connection, electricity, and knowledge of how to use them.  You have time to read and a desire to read.  These are some of the signs of wealth in just reading this. Most of the time we don’t recognize this as wealth which makes it hard to claim our wealth.

    All our wealth is a gift from God.  In the beginning God blest humanity making us fruitful with all the good gifts of creation.  We are called to use our gifts to make the creation thrive. (Genesis 1:28)

    Wealth management is spiritual practice.  How we use all that we have been given to make our lives, our families. our community, and the world to thrive in praise of God?  This is the key calling of our lives.

This is the first of six articles on the spiritual practice of wealth management.  How can we use what God has given us to make the world more just, caring and peaceful?  This practice makes everyone flourish.