You might not have realized this before, but you are His child - and the moment that you accept Him as your Father you become exceedingly rich - not so much in the things of this world, but in the things that really count.

Even before you knew Him, God adopted you into His family. And He paid the price for your adoption with His very own blood. Yes, that's right, He loves you so much that He gave His life in order that He might welcome you into the royal family of heaven - not at some future time, but now, right now, today.

Even if you never knew it, and even if you never appreciated Him, and even if you never even spoke one word to Him in the past, the truth is that He left the joys of heaven and came to a lost planet to reclaim his lost children. You see . . .

`When we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son.' (Romans 5:10)

No, you do not have to pass any tests, nor do you have to first reach certain standards, nor do you have to first abandon your bad habits in order to come home to your heavenly Father - you can come just as you are - right now - and as you get to know Him, He will change your life. 

He is infinitely kind, He is infinitely gracious, He is infinitely compassionate, but He will never force you to do anything - for true love never forces. But He does long for you to "come home" so that he can bathe your wounds, cleanse your heart, clothe you in royal raiment, and welcome you into the heavenly family.

May I share with you that your present circumstances may well be of heavenly design. Perhaps your heavenly Father is using your present circumstances to teach you that the things of this world are vain and empty. Perhaps, in His wisdom and foresight, he sees that suffering is the only teacher that you are likely to listen to at this point in time. Your eyes might well have been fixed on the treasures of this earth, or your character might well be needing a little "chiseling," - as all of our characters do - but now, thanks to your present circumstances, your eyes are ready to look up, to gaze upon your kind Father and Friend, and to receive from Him the gifts that He has long wanted to bestow upon you - gifts that you probably would not even desire if today you were living in ease and plenty. 

Yes, God really is your Friend, and He is inviting you to speak to Him right now. You can speak to Him just as you would speak to an earthly friend whom you respect. He knows all your troubles, He can relate to your sorrows, He hurts with you, and right now you can share your burdens with Him - not that this will change Him - for He never changes - but that this will change you; not that this will persuade Him, but that this will persuade you to put your trust in Him. Go on, speak to Him right now.

`He is watching over you trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength.' (DA329)

A moment ago, when you started reading this article, you thought that you were destitute, but in truth you are a multi-billionaire, for all who know God, and all who accept Him as their Father and Friend, are heirs according to His promise. This means that, as His child, you have already inherited the universe - and this means that one day you will wing your way from planet to planet in a universe where there is no money, no sorrow, no heartache, no poverty, and no fear. Soon, very soon, He is coming again to present you with your inheritance - an inheritance that no-one will ever be able to take from you.

Until then, you have the sure promise . . .

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. " Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:7-11)

God has millions of other children in this world. In answer to your sincere prayer He will lead you to those who can assist you, either to lift you out of your current dilemma, or to enable you to better cope with your situation in future. He has promised, and He will do it - and all you have to do is ask.

God might not give you all the things you want, and He might not lead you in the way that you might want to be led, but He will give you all the things you need, and He will lead you in the way that you need to be led.

Welcome to the family. For you eternal life has begun. You are rich indeed, and nobody, not even death, can take your riches from you.

May we encourage you to visit the main features of this site, for each one will help you to know Him better - and this is the great object of life, this is the fountain of true riches, this is the stepping stone to peace and joy and heaven. (Please see John 17:3)

King Solomon was the richest man in all the earth. He lacked nothing in terms of material needs, yet he was strangely disenchanted with all his riches. He wrote one of the books in the Bible called the book of Ecclesiastes. We invite you to continue your search for God by carefully studying this book. Many have been comforted, and many have found direction by considering these words of wisdom.

God bless you