The texts of every great faith and wisdom tradition remark on the inherent conflict between being rich and the potential for personal spiritual growth. Among the most familiar is likely the Bible’s admonition in Mathew 19:24, where Jesus says: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (NIV).” Now, don’t panic. This is not the preface to a call to give all your earthly possessions to the poor. Instead, because some Bible scholars suggest the words of Matthew 19:24 are actually political spin meant to lead the poor into finding virtue in their poverty, this is a bit of insight that might empower you to let you off the hook—as well as an invitation to use your prosperity to feed your soul.

The truth is we all are prosperous. Some have more commas in their bank accounts, but just about every American has access to the world of the greatest riches. That is, the natural world. Regardless of the scale of your personal bounty, you can open yourself to new spiritual experiences simply by trekking out and into the natural world or inviting it in.

Read the complete article By Laurie M. Renfro WC: 529 in the May/June issue of Flourish Digital Magazine.