“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
When we hear of “poverty,” we usually associate it negatively: poverty means want; poverty means squalor; poverty means destitution. There was a war declared on poverty, some 40 years ago (and it’s still ongoing). But as it is in many, many things, what the world thinks about something is usually the complete opposite of what God thinks about it.
It is not a sin to be affluent in material goods. This verse in Matthew, Jesus’ words, is not talking about material wealth here. Jesus is talking about a person’s soul and spirit. Elaborated, you could say that this verse is translated like this:
Blessed are those who are not satisfied with material things; who don’t rely on their riches or their self-esteem or their own self-goodness to earn points with God and man. You cannot save your own soul and stand before God justified, because only God through His Son can do that. It’s a free gift and cannot be earned with good works.
It is not a sin to have wealth. However, it is a sin to love wealth– to trust in it, to covet it, to allow the love of wealth influence your relationship with God and other people. You may have heard the old saying, “Money is the root of all evil,” but this verse is grossly misquoted. The correct quote is this:
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
I don’t know exactly why I’m talking about this topic this week. Maybe it’s because of all the headlines I saw about Black Friday, which seems to be more of a national holiday than Thanksgiving Day; maybe it’s because everyone is trying to get into the “Christmas spirit,” and that means coveting gifts, right? Or maybe it’s because in a “down” economy, when we learn to live with less, we also come to realize our need for God. Sometimes all the “stuff” in our life can be a distraction. God is concerned with the heart; a person cannot have his heart made whole until he realizes how much he needs God– how poor in spirit he is. The amazing thing about God is that He does not leave anyone poor– He does not take away and leave empty.
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3: 17-20
9. December 2009 at 8:04 am
It is that season, Rebecca. I’ve been watching some TV “news” lately, and the ads have been appalling. Specifically, Toyota has one where people are milling about a showroom when a buzzer goes off. They all then race, jump, skid, and otherwise look like the world is coming to an end, as they try to get into a car, one head first through a window, another headfirst through a sunroof. One lone man is left standing, raising his hand and saying, “I didn’t get one.” Then a salesman comes along and says, “It’s okay. We’ve got more.”
As I watch this with my mouth hanging open, I can’t help but think that Madison Ave. has got Americans pegged. Even worse than the stuff in our lives is the stuff we want in our lives: keeping up with the Jones’, getting the latest this or that, and often going deeper into debt to do it.
Perhaps God will bless America with material poverty so we can learn what is really important.
PS I put you in Mr. Linky.
9. December 2009 at 9:21 am
Interesting post Rebbecca considering I was going to post about this topic today. I will wait until later.
Whether it is the love of money, drink, sex, work – anything that gets in the way of our relationship with God is evil.
9. December 2009 at 11:21 am
Good points. I’ve been thinking about these things quite a bit lately (’tis the season, right?) God has blessed my family, for sure and certain, and we’ve tried to return the favor by helping out those who aren’t as fortunate.
A lot of folks start thinking along those lines this time of year. Want, however, goes on all year long so we’ve come to prefer those charities that are perpetual in nature.
10. December 2009 at 12:54 am
I agree with you, and I’m really glad you pointed that out about the love of money. Just an interesting point about the Revelation passage: Laodecia was a place known for eye medicine, wealth and clothes. So it’s interesting that Jesus called them blind, poor and naked.
Excellent work!
10. January 2010 at 9:31 pm
Thank you so much, there aren’t enough posts on this… or at least i cant find them. I am turning into such a blog nut, I just cant get enough and this is such an important topic… i’ll be sure to write something about your site