Revelation 3:17; “I am Rich”

17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Material wealth was the Achilles heel of this church. They were secure “spiritually speaking” by virtue of their material security. Laodicea is a very wealthy city, a major banking centre, the likes of New York, Paris, Milan, Shanghai, Singapore. It was historically recorded that the city in A.D. 60 was destroyed by earthquake under Roman rule and this city single-handedly reconstructed the city again with external funds from Rome, their ruler. They recovered using their own financial resources. The Laodiceans prided themselves on their self-accomplishments and financial independence. This attitude seemed to permeate into the church. So, these were a bunch of self-sufficient and complacent lot in the city, inadvertently, in the church.

They were increased in goods and have need of nothing. They are rich in the things of this world but not rich toward God. The exact opposite of the church in Smyrna – Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)…

That’s how materialism gives a false sense of security and strength.

Psalm 20:7 Some trustin chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 

Amen.