SEED OF SATAN, SEED OF CHRIST, AND RICHES
ESCHATOLOGY.COM

I believe that Paul's defintion of Seed in Genesis may help us with identifying a corporate analysis of the Seed of Satan. But first let us examine Christ's description of the Pharisees:

Matthew 12:34 O offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Even John the Baptist recognized this:
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O offspring of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Since Christ said that these Pharisees were the offspring of snakes, and He also said that their father was the devil...
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
...it seems very fitting that Satan was identified as the serpent in Genesis:
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Certainly there was enmity between the first-century Christians and the Pharisees. Of course all true believers throughout the Old Covenant, especially prophets, were hated and/or killed by the Pharisees. They killed through their words and through their actions:
Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Psalms 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
The use of the word seed can represent a corporate aspect of not only Christ's people but the enemies of Christ as well. But now we will examine the use of seed to describe the corporate aspect of Christ's people or church.
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Notice that the promises were not to seeds as of many. In other words Paul is clearly making a distinction between the plural and the singular. That is, that Christ is regarded as the seed to whom the promises were made. Compare these passages:

Genesis 17:5-7  Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. {6} And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. {7} And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed (spec. Christ, and including His church) after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Compare this promise to the Seed in inheriting the nations with:

Psalms 2:6-9  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. {7} I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. {8} Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. {9} Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
It is very likely that the heathen here are actually referring to the enemies of God whom God breaks of their pride:
2 Samuel 22:44-51  Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me. {45} Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me. {46} Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places. {47} The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. {48} It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, {49} And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. {50} Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. {51} He is the tower of salvation for his king: and showeth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
Psalms 18:44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
Psalms 66:3-4  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. {4} All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
The promise was made to Christ that He would inherit the nations.

Certainly this does not nullify the promises of God to His elect. Rather, it confirms it:

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
When Paul says to thy seed which is Christ, Paul is referring to the body (singular) of Christ. Remember that under the OC Jacob was called Israel, which means "rule as God." That is, under the NC, the heavenly elect people are identified as Israel, for we do indeed rule as God. That is, we are as God on the earth. We are as Christ so much so that we are identified as His body and perform that function which is restricted to sons. Notice this comparison:
Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
This is clearly Christ. Now look at this passage:
Revelation 2:26-28  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. {28} And I will give him the morning star.
This refers to the body of Christ. Christ would give that same authority of reign to His people. It is through faith that we become the children of God. Of course salvation was first to Israel:
Romans 9:4-5  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; {5} Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
But we are sons and heirs through faith:
Romans 4:16-17  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, {17} (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
There was nothing in the Gentiles-no life, covenants, etc. But in the mystery of God this was hidden:
Ephesians 3:3-6  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) {5} Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The problem was that the Israelites could only see the surface promises. They did not understand that their "victory" over the Gentiles was the enslaving of the Gentiles through the Gospel, thus making them sons and slaves of righteousness-the promise made to Abraham:
Galatians 3:8-9  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. {9} So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Now some can try to argue that nations here refers to Israel. But "the fact is" that we are made sons through faith and worship God in the Spirit:
John 1:12-13  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Through faith we are revealed as sons of God and heirs of the promise. We are counted as the seed:
Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
The seed is not fleshly. It is a covenantal seed based upon and everlasting covenant that would be ratified with blood to bring many sons to glory:
Hebrews 2:10-13  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. {11} For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, {12} Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. {13} And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
If we are not Israel, then we are not sons, then we are not brethren and we have not, nor will we ever be brought to glory. There is no difference:
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Acts 15:7-9  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. {8} And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; {9} And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Romans 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Some would like to make a difference between Israelite Gentiles and pure Gentiles, but God makes no such distinction in terms of becoming children of God.

Children are counted as the seed. They are counted as Christ. We are recipients of every spiritual blessing in heavenly places and execute the reign and rule AS God in the kingdom. Just as Israel entering into the promised land was the executor of the reign of God on the physical earth, so also the NC Israel is the executor of the reign of God on the spiritual earth. Consider this: Christ is called the power of God:

1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
This power is the Gospel which saves:
Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. {17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Through this power or Gospel or Christ, God's enemies submit themselves to Him:
Psalms 66:3-4  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. {4} All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
Al the nations were predicted to worship the Lord before there was any distinction between the two OC kingdoms of Ephraim and Judah:
Psalms 22:27-31  All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. {28} For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. {29} All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. {30} A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. {31} They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Psa 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
Psalms 72:8-11  He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. {9} They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. {10} The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. {11} Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Notice here that those who lick the dust worship the Lord:
Isaiah 49:22-23  Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. {23} And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
This rule began with Israel in the first century. Through the Gospel, the Power of God, the greatness of His power, His enemies continually submit themselves to Him.

We must be careful to not assume that being a dust licker always carries a bad connotation.

Either we are recipients of the same promises to Israel or not. There is not some middle ground:

Ephesians 2:11-22  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: {13} But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; {15} Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; {16} And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {17} And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. {18} For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. {19} Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; {20} And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; {21} In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: {22} In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
A habitation of God through the Spirit. This is speaking to Gentiles. Compare with:
John 4:22-24  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Certainly the woman knew of the salvation of God and she knew she was a dog Samaritan. The reality was that indeed, she may very well have been a combo of Israelite and Gentile. But there was no difference. She was a dog outside the covenant inasmuch as pure Gentiles were. Salvation was of the Jews, not of Israelite Gentiles or pure Gentiles. If we say that salvation was only to Jews and Israelite Gentiles, then we make Christ a liar. Salvation was only of the Jews. But the hour would come...etc.

So then, through faith, the sons of God are manifested. I have heard some say that there is a difference between the Israel of God and those who are simply "pure Gentiles." However, I cannot see this distinction because God continually says there is no difference. The covenants are applied through faith:

Isaiah 56:1-8 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. {2} Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. {3} Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. {4} For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; {5} Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. {6} Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; {7} Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. {8} The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
This is the bringing of many sons unto glory, regardless of who you consider the outcasts to be. Their ultimate destiny was to be gathered to Him and be partakers of the promise of the inheritance. This was the mystery that was revealed to Paul:
Ephesians 1:10-11 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {11} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, {26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Another powerful passage:
Ephesians 3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, {2} If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: {3} How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) {5} Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: {7} Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. {8} Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; {9} And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: {10} To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, {11} According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: {12} In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. {13} Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. {14} For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, {16} That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. {20} Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, {21} Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
And finally:
Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; {26} Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: {27} To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
I believe the Bible concludes that through faith we are blessed with the everlasting covenant of promise that was not made to those of the flesh or nationality but to Him to whom the promise was made:
Romans 9:7-8 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. {8} That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
That is, we are counted as Christ. We are made partakers of the inheritance through faith. So far no one has shown me any distinction between the promises given to the Israelites and the Gentiles through faith. Taking hold of the covenant means we have fallen under, as one Bible teacher says, "the terms, blessings, and benefits of the New Covenant". Again, there is no difference. We are all rich:
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Psalms 112:3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Please see Christ in this next passage as well:
Proverbs 3:11-18 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: {12} For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. {13} Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. {14} For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. {15} She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. {16} Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. {17} Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. {18} She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Paradise, riches, and the Tree of life have all been restored to the covenant people of God:

Please see Christ and His New Covenant in this passage:

Proverbs 8:14-21 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. {15} By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. {16} By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. {17} I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. {18} Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. {19} My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. {20} I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: {21} That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
He says "I am understanding." Paul said Christ is the wisdom of God. We are the kings and princes who rule and judge the earth. We have the fruit that remains. We have inherited substance and had our treasures filled. There is no difference. The wisdom of Christ causes, and and is imparted by, faith in Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Through humility and the acknowledgement of the rule and power of God and His saving strength, the poor in spirit are made rich:
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

Again, what is our crown?
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Isaiah 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Compare with:
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The first century Christians were eagerly awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God:
Romans 8:17-19 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. {18} For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. {19} For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Christ was and is that Crown of life. This crown is the riches of the house of God:
Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: {4} And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Was the above verse seen as a reality to Paul?
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? {20} For ye are our glory and joy.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Paul was confident that this glory would come to them in all its riches and fullness:
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The Pharisee rejoiced in the riches and wisdom of his works and not in the riches and wisdom of Christ:
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: {24} But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

James 5:1-3 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. {2} Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. {3} Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Mark 4:18-19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, {19} And the cares of this world (age), and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 10:23-24 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! {24} And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

1 Corinthians 1:21-31 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. {22} For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: {23} But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; {24} But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. {25} Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. {26} For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: {27} But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; {28} And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: {29} That no flesh should glory in his presence. {30} But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: {31} That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Identifying riches as works helps us understand the meaning of the mammon of unrighteousness:
Luke 16:9-13 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. {10} He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. {11} If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? {12} And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? {13} No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Jesus was admonishing them to see that they needed to recognize the purpose of the law and that the only way to "make friends" with that mammon that only showed unrighteousness was to their faithfulness to that mammon by using it lawfully. "The law is good if a man use it lawfully." Through that lawful use they would have the righteousness of the law fulfilled through faith in the saving "work" of Christ:
Romans 8:3-4 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The Christian rejoices in the riches of Christ:
Romans 9:22-23 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: {23} And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Glory and riches are seen in the above passage as synonymous. These riches are according to the eternal and sovereign purpose of God:
Ephesians 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {4} According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. {7} In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; {8} Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; {9} Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
These riches cannot be separated from the union with the body of Christ, the church:
Ephesians 1:17-23 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: {18} The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, {19} And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, {21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: {22} And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, {23} Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
These riches are equivalent to all the blessings in heavenly places through and with the resurrection of Jesus Christ in contrast to fleshly works which Jews tried to impose upon the Gentiles:
Ephesians 2:1-10 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: {2} Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: {3} Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. {4} But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, {5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) {6} And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: {7} That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. {8} For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
These riches would be made known to, and bestowed upon, the Gentiles. Paul brings all of this together in one passage:
Ephesians 3:6-8 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: {7} Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. {8} Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Reread that entire chapter and you will see exactly what those riches are.

All of these riches are in Christ.

Colossians 2:1-3 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; {2} That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; {3} In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Paul admonishes Timothy to teach trust in the true riches as opposed to self-righteousness and commend others to the same
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Moses looked forward to the riches of Christ:
Hebrews 11:26-27 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. {27} By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Just as Moses forsook Egypt, which represented the slavery of sin, so also the first-century Christians were urged to forsake their trust in the uncertain riches of obedience to the law.

As believers in Christ, we have received these riches and the Crown of life and have become heirs of the Sonship of Christ with authority and rule through the Gospel. We ascribe all this to Jesus Christ:

Revelation 5:9-13 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; {10} And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. {11} And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; {12} Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. {13} And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
This promise was procured solely through the work of Christ:
Hebrews 9:14-15 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? {15} And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

2 Peter 1:1-4 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: {2} Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, {3} According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: {4} Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.


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