Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "riches". There are two Greek words translated "riches" in the New Testament. The first on is found in Mark 10:23:

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 

This one is the Greek word "chrema".  Strong's Concordance says this: something useful or needed, wealth. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: a thing, matter, event, business, specifically money. The Theological Dictionary adds this: objects of value, capital. The key word in this verse that changes "riches" from a blessing to a problem is the word "have". One of the meanings of this Greek word "echo" is to hold fast, to hold on, to cling to, according to Vine's Expository Dictionary. The wonderful blessings of God in our lives include wealth and possessions, but if we cling to these, rather than to HIM, then the riches become an idol in our lives and they can get our eyes, and our faith, off of HIM and onto ourselves! The second "riches" in the New Testament is found in these two verses. Ephesians 1:18 and Philippians 4:19:

18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), AMP

19 And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. AMP

This is the Greek word "ploutos". Strong's Concordance says: wealth, money, possessions, abundance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: abundance of external possessions, fullness, plenitude (the condition of being full or complete). THESE are the riches or the wealth that comes from trusting in the God of the Bible and doing things HIS way! We KNOW where they came from,  and we put our trust completely in HIM, and in His Word, rather than in our own ability alone. This type of "riches" is what Proverbs 10:22 is speaking of:

22 The blessing of the Lord — it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]. AMP

I know that whatever natural "riches" that you and your family have came about because of your trust in God which gives you great favor, and your very hard work, consistency and integrity! My prayer for you is that your blessings will continue to MULTIPLY as you keep God and His Word as your #1 priority! Riches will never HAVE you! Here is an older song from Hillsong that I have been singing all day! It's called "Better Than Life":

"Better Than Life"

Better than the riches of this world Better than the sound of my friends voices
Better than the biggest dreams in my heart and that's just the start
Better than getting what I say I need Better than living the life that I wan't to
Better than the love anyone could give
Your love is

You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go

And You oh Lord made the sunshine and the moonlight in the nightsky
You give me breath and all Your love
I give my heart to You
Because I can't stop falling in love with You
I'll never stop falling in love with You

Better than the riches of this world Better than the sound of my friends voices

Better than the biggest dreams in my heart and that's just the start
Better than getting what I say I need Better than living the life that I wan't to
Better than the love anyone could give
Your love is

You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go

And You oh Lord made the sunshine and the moonlight in the nightsky
You give me breath and all Your love
I give my heart to You
Because I can't stop falling in love with You
I'll never stop falling in love with You

You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go
You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go

And You oh Lord made the sunshine and the moonlight in the night sky
You give me breath and all Your love
I give my heart to You
Because I can't stop falling in love with You
I'll never stop falling in love with You

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!