The Joy of Poverty

[jedi]

Here is something I remembered on my bed this morning and I couldn't remeber where it was. I have lost a lot of these writings because I went on a deleting spree one day due to computer problems and by accident deleted the folder with my stuff. Thanks (((Beluved))) for archiving this. I decided to post this again because of all that I am experiencing these days and I am also inspired by the tithing thread.


The Joy of Poverty

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3)

When was the last time you took a look around at all the things you own? Do you make it a habit to do a financial assessment of yourself every now and then? Are you pleased with what you see? Or does more seem better? To what lengths would you go to acquire more?

One day a rich young man came to Jesus as he was teaching, and he inquired of the Lord, “what must I do to enter the kingdom of heaven?” The Lord repeated a list of things to him and he responded, “I have done all those things,” then the Lord said to him, then sell all that you have and give it to the poor and you will enter into the kingdom. The rich young man walked away with his head hung down, for the bible tells us he owned much.

You my dear friend how much do you own? As you look around at your lot, what does it mean to you? Is your life attached to the things that you own? If so then know this you are truly poor, for you have nothing.

Luke 12:
15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich
toward God."

Possessions have become the very meaning of many lives. Torn from our credit cards, our cars and things we fear utter destruction. These things have become the idols of our times which rob God of his rightful place on the throne of our hearts. We are reminded of another rich man, that man was Abraham, he was wealthy and the word recounts how many sheep and cattle he had, but for the one thing that his heart desired, a son. And after he had this son, the one God had promised him in his old age, the word goes on to say how much he loved that child. Then God demanded of him to sacrifice that child to Him. Abraham was obedient, and at the last just as he was about to sacrifice the child, the angel of the Lord, intervened and told him not to lay a hand upon the child. Abraham’s obedience to God was an example of “poverty of spirit.” He owned nothing that he could not or would not sacrifice to God, not even his son. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” to experience closeness with God one must be poor in spirit, possessing nothing and laying claim on one thing and one thing only, Christ. Notice that Abraham still had all his belongings after this testing of his loyalty to God, but he was a man who laid claim to nothing before God, not even his own dear son’s life. “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:31) God on the other hand, has spared nothing for us, not even the life of his one and only son Jesus Christ. Consider that today my friend as you count your blessings. Remember the one who has given all for your life. You must be very precious to Him indeed!

Have a blessed day.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by Jedi:
[qb]Have a blessed day.[/i] [/qb]

Not with that kind of crazy god around.
Poverty does not mean that you have to be unhappy nor does is automatically grant you morality.

Riches does not mean you are amoral or even happier than a poor person. Having the wherewithal to accomplish things you want or need however is likely to make you feel more comfortable and confident in your surroundings.

It is interesting about greed, without some sort of drive or greed it is unlikely that the human being will move from point B to C once he has left point A.
so there must be some goal, some example, some amount of greed to spur that person on, of course as you have shown the kind of God that you praise would rather have some poor, down trodden, grovelling, confused and misguided soul, willing to put his son to death and burn his plans for a larger barn for a pie in the Sky.

My question why is riches in the Kingdom of Heaven more desirable than where you are going to live most of your mortal life?

[Sharon]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

I agree w/ you wholeheartedly Tuff Gong. I am so sick and tired of people saying being poor is a blessing. I love God, and I'm not attached to material things, but I certainly need a car to drive to work, and I need money to pay my bills, buy food. I just don't worship money, in other words I would not do just about anything to get hit, for e.g. sleep w/ a guy only to get his money, being a prostitute or committing a crime or obtaining it at the expense of other people as in the case of Enron executives. Why would a loving God think it's okay for me to be on the streets, not to be able to buy food, clothe myself etc. etc.
Besides it's always church people who love to tell you the reason they have a nice car, house and material possession is because God blessed them!!
Morevoer, having money gives you the opportunity to do good, like starting a charity, funding research to find cure for diseases, etc. etc. Having money is not evil!

[Tuff Gong]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by Sharon:
[qb] I agree w/ you wholeheartedly Tuff Gong. I am so sick and tired of people saying being poor is a blessing....[/qb]

One Love!

[mangoskin]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

one way to look at it is that we must not become slaves to our possessions - dont let them possess us - it's tedious to have to wash, repair, maintain, clean and dust lots of stuff.

Another way to look at it is that it is in the interest of affluent/rich people that the poor are content with poverty. Otherwise, the poor will overthrow and attack the rich, so it could be seen as in society's interest that the poor be happy in their "pauperized" state - maintenance of the "status quo" so to speak.

[Diplomat]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

As a believer, I challenge the notion that being poor is a blessing. We are reminded: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.", and while I am on earth, I expect to have more than enough (be blessed) to adequately take care of myself and family, and to be a blessing to others. I grew up in relative poverty and there was nothing cool or joyful about it.

[RollinCalf]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

"Another way to look at it is that it is in the interest of affluent/rich people that the poor are content with poverty. Otherwise, the poor will overthrow and attack the rich, so it could be seen as in society's interest that the poor be happy in their "pauperized" state - maintenance of the "status quo" so to speak."

Which is why no Third World country was ever colonised without the help of the church.

[britisha]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] As a believer, I challenge the notion that being poor is a blessing. We are reminded: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.", and while I am on earth, I expect to have more than enough (be blessed) to adequately take care of myself and family, and to be a blessing to others. I grew up in relative poverty and there was nothing cool or joyful about it. [/qb]

Here Here.

Another twist on the Holy Scriptures to imply that God wishes that his childen not inherit the earth.

[britisha]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by RollinCalf:
[qb] "Another way to look at it is that it is in the interest of affluent/rich people that the poor are content with poverty. Otherwise, the poor will overthrow and attack the rich, so it could be seen as in society's interest that the poor be happy in their "pauperized" state - maintenance of the "status quo" so to speak."

Which is why no Third World country was ever colonised without the help of the church. [/qb]

Unfortunately this makes a lot of sense.

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by Jedi:


The Joy of Poverty

In my entire life, I have never heard someone tie those two words, "joy" and "poverty" together. I can only assume that you know nothing about being impoverished.

Originally posted by Jedi:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3)

I never understood what Jesus means here, when he talks of the "poor in spirit"? Why not just say "Blessed are the poor,..." if he is talking about being impovereshed?

[jedi]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

I am really surprised that the message was not understood. I must shake my head. Clearly this is not about poverty it is about possessing nothing before God. Being totally unattached to things and putting God first. I would encourage you to read again. It is obvious that none has read this in it's entirety.

[jedi]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] As a believer, I challenge the notion that being poor is a blessing. We are reminded: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.", and while I am on earth, I expect to have more than enough (be blessed) to adequately take care of myself and family, and to be a blessing to others. I grew up in relative poverty and there was nothing cool or joyful about it. [/qb]

You surprise me of all people where did I say that we are to be content to be poor? Rather this is about being rich towards God and allowing no earthly thing to come before him, I invite you to read this again (((CEW)))

[Diplomat]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Jedi: I read the initial post twice. Perhaps the "problem" is with the title of the thread?

[jedi]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by Tuff Gong:
[qb]

Originally posted by Jedi:
[qb]Have a blessed day.[/i] [/qb]

Not with that kind of crazy god around.
Poverty does not mean that you have to be unhappy nor does is automatically grant you morality.

Riches does not mean you are amoral or even happier than a poor person. Having the wherewithal to accomplish things you want or need however is likely to make you feel more comfortable and confident in your surroundings.

It is interesting about greed, without some sort of drive or greed it is unlikely that the human being will move from point B to C once he has left point A.
so there must be some goal, some example, some amount of greed to spur that person on, of course as you have shown the kind of God that you praise would rather have some poor, down trodden, grovelling, confused and misguided soul, willing to put his son to death and burn his plans for a larger barn for a pie in the Sky.


[/qb]

I can understand why you would be so totally off base here but this is not about poverty in that sense at all it is about being poor as possessing nothing before almighty God.


My question why is riches in the Kingdom of Heaven more desirable than where you are going to live most of your mortal life?


Jedi: And then when you die what happens to those riches? Or is it more desirable to live a short and boutiful life on earth and afterwards leave it to spend an eternity in hell. This is what this is about TG putting God before your possessions because in reality you own nothing.

[britisha]

Re: The Joy of Poverty

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] Jedi: I read the initial post twice. Perhaps the "problem" is with the title of the thread? [/qb]

Kikikiki (((CEW)))