WHO IS THE RICHEST PERSON ON EARTH?
‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul’ – Matthew 16:26 (KJV)
(Emphasis is mine).
(Emphasis is mine).
We live in a generation where we are motivated, or say pressured, to think and walk prosperity. The Bible encourages prosperity so it is Godly to think and walk it. It is great to be rich. It is also a noble cause. Moreover, it is gloriously great to be the richest person on earth. Such a feat is also honourable. In fact, rich people are global celebrities. Who is the richest person on earth?
The Latest Opinion
Talk of rich people on earth and names such as Warren Buffett, Carlos Slim Helu, Bill Gates, Vladimir Putin, Symeon Freemanstein and so forth will flood many minds. Who among these people is the richest? Latest popular opinion opines it is Symeon Freemanstein. The 38-year old Symeon is opined as the most successful businessman and the youngest independent financier, entrepreneur and shareholder in the history of the world. He is said to own 68 financial holdings of the most profitable companies on earth. Dollar billionaire Symeon Freemanstein is now believed to be both the richest man in the world and the most influential man on earth because of his staggering financial empire, personal wealth and accumulated assets now valued in the region of $82.2 Billion USD and still climbing the rich ladder daily. Kudos! Symeon. However, it is quite interesting that one day popular opinion will overthrow Symeon from this glorious comfort zone. This misfortune just fell on Warren Buffett, Carlos Slim, and Bill Gates. Who is the next person to fall after Symeon?
The Real Standard
Another interesting thing about this whole millionaire, billionaire and ‘trillionaire’ palaver is that the richness of these celebrities is mostly measured in monetary terms. However, it is worth noting that money is more than a currency. For Mike Murdock, money is anything that solves a problem. Faith, for instance, is the currency of the economy of Heaven, God’s kingdom. King Solomon was once the richest person on earth but a lily was more glorious than him. No wonder he later preached that fearing and worshipping God is the conclusion of the whole matter. King Solomon could simply not meet the standard. Gaining the whole world is the common standard. The richest person on earth must own the whole world. I think Noah, Abraham and Joseph slightly attained that feat. I am however persuaded that they attained the heights of real prosperity. They knew that gaining the whole world is enveloped in soul-prosperity. They did not place the cart before the horse. ‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ Besides, they were rich towards God, not toward themselves. More importantly, they were rich in good works. They lived godliness and contentment life. In addition, they laid hold of eternal life.
Soul Prosperity
Real prosperity is soul-prosperity. A rich fool is a wealthy person whose soul is poor (unsaved). Such a person is at best the winner of the ever ongoing rat race (materialism contest). It has been said that a winner of a rat race is still a rat. It is a sad commentary that the world is full of rich rats. These rich rats are celebrities. Their opinions become policies and rules. This is crazy!
The true measurement of real riches is in the salvation of a soul. A saved soul is valuable than the whole world. The soul is eternal, earthly riches are fleeting. A saved soul has automatic access to God’s glorious riches, which is eternal. In other words, real prosperity is automatic to a saved soul. Remember, the earth is the Lord’s, and the people and all that is in it. The blessings of God make that soul rich, and add no sorrow to it. Many so-called rich people are in reality living sorrowful lives. Their pockets and bank accounts may be full of money but they do not have real peace. They have internal crises within their being. Life without Christ is full of crises. Such people have pierced themselves through with many sorrows because they are high-minded. Besides, they trust in their uncertain riches. We must rather trust God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Remember the blessings of God makes a man rich, devoid of sorrow. Riches outside God are grievously hurtful and sorely sorrowful. Such is the fate of rich rats.
The greatest feat you can attain on earth is not just being the richest person on earth but to be diligently working out your own salvation, after you have allowed Jesus Christ to work in your salvation. There must be input before output. You can only outdoor what has been indoor. You must work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Surrender to Jesus Christ, the owner of this earth. Jesus is greater than the world. Therefore, having Jesus is greater and more glorious than being a one-time richest person in the world. Earthly riches are like chasing after the wind. They are vanities upon vanities. You need Jesus more than earthly riches. To have Jesus you must invite Him into your heart. Afterwards, you must surrender to Him every moment. Living Jesus is the conclusion of the whole matter. Living Jesus is personally knowing Him as your Saviour and obeying Him fully. The wise King Solomon painstakingly learnt this truth. You do not have to go through the same painful experience. Remember, the first fool is not a fool!
Richard Obeng Mensah, co-author of 37 Benefits of Reading. borncapy@yahoo.com/
www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com
