I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
In the movie Brewster’s Millions, Montgomery (Monty) Brewster (Richard Pryor) is a failed baseball player who stands to inherit $300 million from his Uncle Rupert (Hume Cronyn). But there is a catch: by the terms of the will, Monty must spend $30 million in 30 days to inherit. The further complications are that he can’t tell anyone about the challenge, and at the end of the 30 days, he can’t have any assets from his spending. The movie is about Monty’s comical antics and attempts to meet the conditions set by his uncle.
Just as Monty is an unlikely candidate for a vast inheritance, Paul speaks of an inheritance to an unlikely people—the Gentiles. The inheritance Paul offers is the good news of Jesus Christ, which proclaims that “Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (v. 6)
However, unlike Monty, who must meet the stringent conditions of his uncle’s will, we only need to accept Jesus Christ according to His Father’s will. The glorious riches we inherit are not material wealth but spiritual abundance and power—the Holy Spirit, God’s constant presence and love. By the Spirit, we are led from being spiritually down and out to great spiritual wealth.
Moreover, we are not confined by secrecy but are encouraged to speak boldly about our transformation. Paul speaks of the mystery of Christ and how this mystery is now revealed through the Church (v. 9). The Church, Christ’s one body comprised of all believers, is meant to share the truth of God’s plan with the world. Consequently, we find strength and purpose in our spiritual inheritance as we share Christ's boundless riches with others.
God of Grace, we thank You for the inheritance we have received through the good news of Jesus Christ and the glorious riches of the Holy Spirit. Help us to humbly live into our inheritance, seeking Your will in all things. Grant us the boldness to speak of our transformation and the spiritual wealth we have received in accepting You. We pray these things in Jesus’ name.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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