The Pine Tree Perspective: What Climbing to the Top Taught Me About True Riches
Turns out, my childhood “wealth” wasn’t measured in money—it was something far better. And Jesus knew it all along.
Growing up, I thought we were rich. Like, Rockefeller rich.
We had an in-ground pool, a tennis court, a dream playground, and a backyard so big it had a pine tree forest. (And yes, of course I climbed to the top and got grounded for it—priorities.) In my little kid mind, we were living the high life. Everything about our home screamed luxury to me.
What I didn’t know—what I literally didn’t even notice—was that we lived in a 900-square-foot brick apartment. One of four crammed together. My parents slept on a pull-out couch every single night so my brother and I could each have our own room.
And the wild part? I never felt like we lacked a thing. All I could see… was everything we had.
Looking back, I realize now what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:3:
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Kids don’t care about square footage. They don’t compare. They don’t perform or posture. They just trust. They receive. And they celebrate what’s there instead of mourning what isn’t.
Somewhere along the way, we grow up—and we grow out of that wonder. We start striving. Hustling. Measuring ourselves against “success” and trying to keep up with a highlight reel that was never meant to define us.
But Jesus says… come back. Come back to the simplicity that says,
“I have a Father who loves me. I have what I need—even if it’s not everything the world says I should want.”
That’s a different kind of wealth. It can’t be foreclosed on. It doesn’t disappear when life hits hard. And it can’t be stolen by the lies of “not enough.” It’s the richness of being His child.
So maybe today, if you’re feeling small or behind or like you don’t measure up—maybe it’s time to climb back up into that metaphorical pine tree.
See what He sees. Because through His eyes? You’re already rich.
For more stories & insights from Elsa visit HERE. To to preorder Elsa’s new book, Truth Bombs & Grace Grenades: Bold Faith. Real Truth. No Apologies, visit HERE
