Though economists have announced that the recession is over, most of the working class would disagree strongly. Credit card debt is at an all-time high. Foreclosures dot every neighborhood, while new construction has slowed to a crawl. At the same time, many churches continue to be weakened by the “prosperity gospel” seeping into the simplicity and truth of God’s Word, confusing many Christians. With money-conscious pastors leading the way, the “name it and claim it,” “blab it and grab it” mentality points to people who desire financial growth above a closer walk with the Lord.
While God has promised that He will take care of the needs of His people, those needs do not include an abundance of financial resources. The God of a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) has the ability to bless His children in any way He desires, and sometimes that blessing can be of a financial nature. Yet typically, those He chooses to bless in that manner desire to use their blessing for the spread of the gospel, rather than to living higher on the hog!
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?
James 2:5
Comprehension of the symbiotic relationship between poverty and faith involves God as the provider, Jehovah-Jireh (Genesis 22:14). Those faithful servants of the Lord without financial stability frequently are blessed by God’s provision at the last moment. When rent is due, and there’s not enough in the coffers to write the check, miracles happen. Certainly, God calls for us to be good stewards of what He provides, and some of those financial straits arise when our stewardship is questionable. Yet many times, God desires to increase the faith of His people by having them to wait upon His provision.
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Mark 12:41-44
There are places in the United States that are as impoverished as any third-world nation. One of those places is Santa Ana, California. During the Christmas season, I accompanied a Christian youth group from that area, which saved money to purchase socks and underwear for the homeless in the park at the Santa Ana Courthouse. Watching the poor assist the poorer reminded me of the widow, who gave out of her poverty. One of the greatest lessons as a Christian is that it is impossible to out-give God. Sacrifice is the greatest example of love, especially toward unbelieving neighbors. Living in such a wealthy country, it is simple to fall into the trap that “more is better” or “he who dies with the most toys wins.” Yet God’s truth shares with us that true wealth is having God in control of our lives. Eternity at the feet of Jesus is worth so much more than silver and gold.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Acts 3:6
God has given us so much more than material wealth. He has given us spiritual legs to walk with Him, for all of eternity. Trust in Him. There is no need that God will not fill in the lives of His children! Just don’t get your needs confused with your wants!
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
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