¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

what are the riches of the glory

The first request of this verse is that “we might know the hope of His calling.” The second area for which Paul prayed was that the Ephesians might know that God deems believers as His wealth. We, as God’s treasures, are more valuable than the entire universe. Christians should appreciate the way God places value on people. We have a share in bringing glory to God.

of His inheritance in the saints,

God has an inheritance in the saints. We are part of God’s wealth that He possesses. God’s inheritance is people, not some object. He highly values those who know Him personally. One day we shall be “to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph 1:6). One day God will take possession of born-again people.

PRINCIPLE:

God glories in His saints.

APPLICATION:

We have an inheritance (1:11) and God has an inheritance (1:18). We have an inheritance in Him and He has an inheritance in us. No one can say, “No one is interested in me.” God has a great interest in us.

God looks at the believer as having incomparable worth (Ti 2:14; 1 Pe 2:9). We are His “special people.” It is amazing that God looks at converted sinners with such value. He looks on us as His inheritance. He paid dearly for us by the blood of His Son (Ro 8:32).

You might think no one knows you or cares about you. You think you live in obscurity. However, it matters to God about you. You are important to Him. Otherwise, He would have not gone to such lengths as sending His Son to die for your sins (Ro 8:32). He deems you a child of the King. You will be Exhibit A in glory; God has you as His inheritance.