I was having a quiet moment by myself just before bedtime on a Wednesday night when our son walked into the room. It was one of those evenings I just wanted to be left alone. My mind was playing tricks on me and I needed some solitude to sort through my thoughts and make them behave. This human mind can be chaotic sometimes.

“Mom, I need to talk to you about something.”

“Give me a few minutes.”

As he made his way towards the door, I called him back. Boys are not quick to ask for attention, so if he was asking for my time, I knew I had to give it to him. 

“Is everything okay?”, I asked him. 

“Yes…erm…well not really. I was on a call with my friends and they started making fun of me. They do that sometimes but today I had enough, so I left the call.”

“What did they say?”

“They said I’m poor.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t have the latest video games.”

I paused. I knew where this conversation was going but I decided to turn it into a teaching moment.

“Are you poor?”, I asked. 

“Well, I don’t have money.”

“But do you have everything you need right now?

“Yes.”

“And if you need something tomorrow, do you think you would get it?”

“Yes”

“Why?”

“Because you and Dad would get it for me.”

“Exactly. Your needs are always met. Just because you don’t have money in your pocket or the latest video game doesn’t mean you’re poor. Wealth isn’t about having material stuff alone. When you really need something, you will get it. Right now, the latest video game is not a need. So let your friends know that. Besides, if they are really your friends, they shouldn’t make fun of you in that way. Which one of them said that to you?”

He mentioned the names, and one of them turned out to be the boy I had always warned him about. I spent a few more minutes discussing this friend’s recurrent behaviour and why my son should keep a distance. I also reminded him of his value, who he is and the plans God has for his life. 

As he walked out of the room, I couldn’t help but imagine that as adults, we still fight this internal battle daily – defining ourselves by what we have or don’t have and letting others do the same to us. Materials possessions are nice to have but they are not the definition of true wealth. It’s beyond the houses, cars, gadgets, career success and investments. 

• Do you have someone you can share your wins and woes with?
• How are you doing on the inside? Bored? Beaten? Bitter? Broken?
• Are you healthy in your body, mind and spirit? 
• Do you have a strong community of support?

There’s so much more to consider when reflecting on what true wealth really means. 

A poor person isn’t necessarily someone without  money and other material possessions.

A poor person is someone who lacks the treasures that money can’t buy – love, peace, joy, purpose, and self-worth.

A poor person is someone who believes he is poor; as we have read from the Bible, 

“as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

So, let me ask you, as I asked my son, 

“Are you poor?”