Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- May 28, 2012
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
Jesus was poor. He owned nothing, but had everything He needed. He borrowed boats, donkeys, food and lodging. He lived on borrowed time—then died and was buried in a borrowed tomb. The son of God was born from a virgin womb and buried in a virgin tomb. Christ Jesus voluntarily gave up His riches in glory in exchange for the poverty of mankind on earth. Grace comes at the great expense of Jesus giving up all for all people.
It is the riches of God’s grace and forgiveness that are the true riches. Any other riches that compete with Christ’s riches are idols of insecurity. Indeed, it is better for us to be poor in the eyes of the world and remain rich in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. It is futile and frustrating to chase the undependable wealth of the world, when we can rest and revel in the riches of seeking first the Kingdom of God. Grace exhibits generosity.
“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5
Has pride in your socioeconomic status caused you to feel superior to those with less of this world’s stuff? If so, your possessions have become a stumbling block to seeking God’s kingdom first. Are you more fearful of losing your things than you are in losing the Lord’s favor on your life? These are the false beliefs and behaviors that cause cultural Christians to lose their luster for Christ. True riches trust in Jesus alone.
It is better to be poor but rich in grace, than to be rich and poor in grace. Moreover, a man or woman in poverty, who is motivated by greed, is much worse off than the rich who are generous in their charitable deeds and gifts. So, our priority is to follow the example of Jesus not allowing material goods to master our coming and going. When we are free from financial trappings, we are free to trust the one worthy of our trust, Jesus Christ, whose simple life compels us to live uncomplicated lives for His Kingdom’s sake.
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Luke 9:57-58
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to seek You first, above any financial allurements.
Related Readings: Proverbs 28:6, 11; 22:2; Luke 18:22; Revelation 3:17
Post/Tweet this today: True riches trust in Jesus alone. #riches #trust
Wisdomhunters.com is dedicated to Applying Unchanging Truth to a Changing World.
Comments are closed.
I love your daily wisdom emails and have shared many of them with fellow believers and non-believers alike. I have a question with this one. Teachings over years have said that Jesus was poor, owned nothing, left everything and borrowed everything, including time. Everything in the Word of God concerning Him is appointed or else all that He does would either be happenstance or by accident. We know this isn’t the case. Question: Could it be that Jesus was showing the disciples (and us) an example of living a surrendered life to the will of the Father by claiming nothing and looking poor while having access to the power of God through an obedient life? If Jesus was indeed “poor” according to our conservative standards, then His choice for disciples such as a lawyer, doctor, professional business men and a treasurer would have all been a coincidence – since He had nothing. What do you think Mary was pondering in her heart aside from what was provided in scripture? What happened with all the “wealth” that was brought to him in his youth by the Wise Men? A mother selected on purpose by God to give birth to the Messiah would have taken on the responsibility to save that “wealth” for Him as it was her task to do so in her call to obedience to Father’s will. So the question remains, was Jesus “poor” in regards to our conservative and religious definitions of it or was He “poor” in the position of His heart in order to serve mankind, taking care of everyone and having all He needed, borrowed or not?
I have experienced that, my times of greatest financial need has led me to depend more directly on Jesus. When I chose His way over the money worries, He always comes through!
“Are you more fearful of losing your things than you are in losing the Lord’s favor on your life?”
It sounds like you and cultural others are threatening, lose your things or literally lose the Lord’s favor ourlife.
Jesus was not poor. I beg to differ. God was His source for whatever He needed. Who would follow a poor man? No one. Jesus had access to plenty of fish/bread, traveling donkeys (cars), beautiful purple robes, etc. He was even rich in healings, grace, and mercy.
Jesus wants us to be rich to enjoy it, to bless others, and to glorify God. Who wants to follow a poor man? No one.
Are you telling me that I am surrounded by people who do not want me to have anything nice? a flat screen tv or a gps.
I know that you are getting a point accross to me. But I do not understand why some in my cultural environment are allowed to have nice things but certain ones are not.
Jesus doesn’t care about us having those things as long as we do not put those things before Him, putting our trust in having things, sharing those things with family on a sunday evening, and giving nice things as we are blessed to buy it for others or simply to give what we have. God even replaces things.
I don’t understand your motives for saying that Jesus was poor. I don’t believe that Jesus was poor. Jesus provided many needs or He told others how to get those needs met. He was rich. Jesus was rich materially, spiritually, physically, and socially (disciples), and mentally.
Please write other devotionals about Jesus being rich or poor as you believe this. Please send more scriptures describing His poverty. I understand He didn’t have a place to lay His head. But why did He need a place to lay His head. He traveled and never stayed in one place to long. He was God in a man’s body. He has to travel. Why should He keep an empty house here in Alabama? He spent more time in Texas and in the Atlanta areas. Therefore, people gave Him a place to sleep or He slimply slept under a tree.
I want to hear more of what you are saying to me. …. we servce a poor God/Jesus. If He had to become poor, then originally He was rich. He doesn’t want us all struggling and killing folks to become rich. He wants us to be content with food and clothes. Every thing else is extra and a blessing if we don’t idolize it and put it before Him and the needs of others.