gospel of Thomas 81

Jesus said, "Let him who has grown rich be king, and let him who possesses power renounce it."

This is another saying from Jesus that I am a little perplexed by – not quite sure that I'm getting his drift.

Let him who has grown rich be king – I doubt that Jesus was talking about material wealth, and ruling over a land and people. There are many ways to grow rich. A pauper, dressed in rags, sleeping on a park bench, can grow rich. Listening to the songs of the birds in the morning; feel the sun warming the skin; being at peace within oneself – this is the most fulfilling way to grow rich. It does not need any material wealth at all, the feeling of richness. It's the feeling of having everything one could possibly ask for; the feeling that nothing is lacking; a feeling of abundance.

This is how we grow rich on the spiritual path: by relaxing into the beauty of what is, and feeling fulfilled by the moment – so utterly fulfilled that there is nothing more we could ask for. And there is a kingliness about this way of being. Not that one has power over others, not at all; but that one's happiness is guaranteed in a way, no longer dependent on the whims of other people, or the ups and downs of life. It is a noble way to be. Even if one is that pauper dressed in rags, sleeping on a park bench, still, he can be a king.

And the second half of Jesus' saying: let him who possesses power renounce it. Usually when we think of a king, we think of someone with power over other people. But that power in the end is of no use to the king. It does not help him in any way. And indeed, most people given power, sooner or later, will abuse it. And in abusing power, we not only abuse others – we abuse ourself. We make it very difficult for ourselves. A part of our spiritual journey requires us to accept everything within us. And looking at that abusive nature – that power brings out in us – seeing that, it's so difficult to accept. Better to renounce the power in the first place. And then there is not much opportunity to abuse.

So do not seek to have power over others – just that power within oneself, that brings with it a feeling of nobility, that has nothing to do with other people and how one relates to others.

These are the thoughts that have come to me reading this saying by Jesus. Perhaps you will read something else into it.