08/18/2023
Are you sad today? I am referring to the sadness that occurs when we realize that Jesus is asking us to let something go that we believe we are unable to give up or that is impossible for us. Perhaps it is our wealth, but just maybe it has to do with our poverty.
“But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
Luke 18:23-24 ESV
Money is something of the world that is a symbol of wealth; it is the first thing we think of when we hear that someone is wealthy, but there are many things that can be considered wealth. The definition of wealth is "an abundance of valuable material, possessions, or resources" it is a profusion of something that we hold as valuable. Maybe it is money, but it can also be the lack of it. Have you ever considered the fact that you have become so entrenched in not having something that it has become a badge of honor you wear, and a barrier to your faith?
A "wealth of poverty"... this statement is an oxymoron, an expression in which contradictory things join together and show us a truth. Jesus asked the rich ruler to give up his money and belongings... what if He asked you to give up a poverty that you have been holding onto? Would this request bring you fear, uncertainty, reluctance, and finally sadness in your unwillingness to change? To leave something behind as you follow Jesus?
Sometimes we wrongly associate a certain poverty with humility. We look at a dearth of self-assuredness as being humble... but it isn't. Being frozen in faith by a wealth of self-doubt is not the same thing as humility. What if Jesus gave you a word today, and that word was to gird up your loins and engage in something that frightens you because you doubt your ability to obey Him so greatly. Would you do it... or would you walk away sad?
Sometimes we have a wealth of money, but at other times it is some other possession or resource. Quite often we use a great poverty as an excuse for the low quality of faith we have. You argue your case in this manner... "but Jesus, I don't have the ability to..." yet in so doing you are arguing not out of humility, but from a place of self-doubt and little faith in God. You may have no money, you may be too short, too weak, too dumb, have too little talent, or you may also be too ________... well, just fill in the blank. Has Jesus asked you to give that all away to follow Him? Has He asked you to give up your god of poverty; your enemy of faithlessness? If so then gird up your loins, leave behind your wealth and follow Him!
“Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”
Psalms 143:9-10 ESV
If you latch onto the greatness of God and leave behind the enemy of your wealth (whether great riches, or some prideful poverty) He will provide all that you need...
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
He will lift you up because He asks nothing of you that is too great for you to accomplish. He might ask you to sell all you own, or He might just as easily tell you to let go of your poverty and rise above it to increase in Him... whatever the ask, it is not beyond your ability to do, if you have faith in Him.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."”
Matthew 19:26 ESV
So don't act smug, or protected from challenge because you feel like your poverty exempts you... you may well be asked to give up that "wealth of poverty" you are leaning on, and which is constraining your faith from reaching the heights that Jesus desires for you. Remember the words of Jesus about the wealthy and realize that He spoke of you too when He said "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for leading me to great faith through the challenges in my life. I thank you for asking me to give up certain financial wealth, and I thank you for asking me to give up the various forms of wealth and inadequacy that I harbor. Help me Holy Father as I remove every excuse or roadblock in serving you. Jesus search my life and call out those things I must abandon. Call out the gods I have latched onto; those that create obstacles and nurture my inability to reach the faith in you that I should. How can I follow you Lord when I am chained to so many encumbrances? Help me Jesus to free myself of the bindings; whether you ask me to leave possessions behind, or pick others up... give me the strength and confidence of faith to do as you ask. Take away the sadness that follows me as I delay in heeding your call, and give me the confidence and strength in you that will allow me to do your bidding in my life. Father you are greater than all I own; your gold and silver pave the streets of Heaven, and you claim no inability to defend or provide for me. Lift me up Merciful Father and conquer the obstruction of my false wealth... the wealth of plenty, and the wealth of poverty alike.
Rich Forbes