Chapter Thirteen/Buy Gold Refined by Fire - "You Say: 'I Am Rich' "

 What really is the root of the Laodiceans' problem? We get a good idea from Jesus' next words: "Because you say: 'I am rich and have acquired riches do not need anything at all,' but you do not know your miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked." (Revelation 3:17; compare Luke 12:16-21.) Living in a wealthy city, they feel confident because of their riches. Likely, their way of life has been affected by the stadium, theaters, and gymnasiums, so that they have become "lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God." (2 Timothy 3:4) But the materially rich Laodiceans are impoverished spiritually.  They have few, if any treasures stored up in heaven.' (Matthew 6:19-21) They have not kept their eye simple, giving first place in their lives to God's Kingdom. They are really in darkness, blind, with no spiritual vision. (Matthew 6:22, 23, 33) Moreover, in spite of the fine garments that their material wealth may have purchased, in Jesus' eyes they are naked. They have no spiritual garments to identify them as Christians. - Compare REVELATION 16:15. 

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