Bible Studies

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GOD HAS CHOSEN THE POOR
PART TWO

It is time we acknowledge that poverty is no sin. That in fact, those who live godly in Christ Jesus will often suffer poverty, because they will be willing to give up all their worldly ambitions of wealth for the Kingdom of God.

Our Lord Jesus is our example in this, and so are the thousands of faithful who have given their lives for Him through the centuries.

“They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. They were all commended for their faith…” --Heb. 11:37-39


Our modern version of the faithful reads a little differently:

“They went about in luxury vehicles and wore the latest in designer clothing-- affluent, influential, fully admired and respected, and treated like royalty by the world—because the world thought them worthy of honor due to their success. They lived in large and spacious custom homes in the finest neighborhoods, or in nice tract homes in acceptable developments, wandering the best shopping venues, eating in the restaurants they liked, and attending church in their state-of-the-art entertainment complex complete with recreational facilities. They were commended by one another for their Christian lifestyles, and for their faithful tithing that enabled the church to build more and better facilities for those who chose to worship there. They especially commended each other because out of their excess and abundance they managed to give a small amount once each month toward missions and the poor, though it didn’t affect their hearts or their standard of living, and though they personally didn’t take any responsibility for the brethren around them in need.
They accepted the accolades of other men, because to them this meant that they were obeying God. For in their minds obedience meant prosperity, though they would deny believing it. To them, faith meant church attendance, and Bible study, and tithing. To them faith meant they listened to Christian music instead of worldly music. To them faith meant playing church by the rules of men. To them, being a Christian was a “belief-system” and a set of principles, and not a Narrow Gate which few would find. And most of all, to them faith meant a guarantee of Heaven after death, which was certainly worth all the trouble, tribulation and persecution they were experiencing as followers of Jesus in this life.”
--"The Acts of the Apostate" 9:1-5

Brothers called by God, don’t think for a minute that this darkly funny little look at how we often view things is funny to God. He is serious about the Truth, and expects us to conform to His Word, and not to try and make His Word conform to what we will accept.

The Word of God is the Rock upon which we must build.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” --Matt. 7:24,25

We must value the poor, and give to them, and help our brothers around us in need, not out of our excess, but sacrificially, and out of our best. Like the poor Christians in Macedonia, let us give and give until it hurts, because we love Jesus, and we are so in love with our brethren, and hate to see them suffer. We know our rewards will be in Heaven.

Today, “if anyone has material possessions” (1 John 3:17), then that person bears a great responsibility in the Kingdom. God has entrusted us with riches. We must “take pride in (our) low position, because (we) will pass away like a wild flower.” --James 1:10.

We must be like Jesus, who gave away all He had to become what we needed Him to be.

So must each of us as brothers give all we have to one another.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends….I have called you friends.” --John 15:13-15

Befriend those who love Jesus, our Great Friend, who gave to us without condition or reservation. Give to those you see who are in need today, and share with them your very life, and your heart, and your material possessions as needed. By doing this, we secure an everlasting treasure.

“But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” --Matt. 6:20

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