In America we have a warped sense of prosperity. Even those who are the most poor of our country have it better than at least two thirds of the rest of the world. We carry on our person daily enough money and possessions to feed a family for weeks in some of these third world countries. We often take this for granted and with an ungrateful attitude we desire more. Unfortunately what we enjoy in the goods of this world, we lack in our spiritual life. Notice this pearl of wisdom from Proverbs 16:8, “Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.”
In 1 Corinthians 8:9 Paul wrote, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” In Jesus Christ we see the Creator who left His throne and subjected Himself to His own creation. Why would He subject Himself to the frailties and humilities of this life? It was because of His grace. Notice that Jesus subjected Himself to poverty that we might become rich. What kind of wealth is Paul promising? He or the other apostles sure weren’t getting rich. Herein lies the problem. We tend to judge wealth through the material blessings. That is NOT what God is promising! This wealth is far better than any material wealth we can amass.
The rich young ruler sure didn’t get it. He was rich in the things of this world but not in his benevolence. (Matthew 19:16-22) Notice verse 21, “”If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” The young man sorrowfully departed the presence of Jesus for he had great wealth.” He traded the wealth of heaven for the poverty of sin.
The rich farmer didn’t get it. His attitude was one of pure selfishness. He was self satisfied with his accomplishments and never even considered the blessing of God, or sharing with others. Notice the Father’s response to his attitude, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’”
Luke 12:21. “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20.
The church at Laodicea didn’t get it. They boasted in their wealth, but Jesus warned them, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Revelation 3:17-18.
Jesus became poor in this world’s goods that we might be made rich spiritually. Consider this wise saying, Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” With material wealth comes a degree of sorrow. The truly rich struggle to protect what they have, and wonders about real friendships, (See 1 Tim. 6:9). The wealth we receive from God has no sorrows with it.
The church at Smyrna got it! To this struggling little church, Jesus said, Revelation 2:9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich).”
DO YOU GET IT? James 2:5 “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”