POOR in spirit, RICH in Christ..!

Let’s read Proverbs 28:6(NIV); Matthew 5:3(NIV); Luke 4:18, 19(NIV) & Matthew 19:23, 24(NIV) in tandem

“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

Jesus read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah - “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

The WORLD says this - The “poor” (in prosperity/status) are always ignored and unwanted. It is always a loss to befriend the poorest of the poor. But the “rich” (in prosperity/status) are always sought after and wanted. Everyone wants to befriend the richest of the rich..! Hence, always seek to be “rich”.

The WORD says this - The “rich” (proud/disobedient) are always ignored and unwanted. It is always a loss to befriend the richest of the rich. But the “poor” (humble/obedient) are always sought after and wanted. God wants to befriend the poorest of the poor..! Hence, always seek to be “poor”.

The world’s perspective of the rich vs. the poor is different to the Word’s perspective of the two. The richness that Jesus mentioned above is the richness of “PRIDE”. God looks at men as either proud (rich) or humble (poor). Jesus the anointed (Christ) was sent to proclaim the Gospel (good news) of freedom, salvation and eternal blessing ONLY to the poor (humble) in spirit.

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

(Mark 2:17). The Bible says that ALL are sick in SIN (Romans 3:23). And ONLY those who acknowledge their sickness (sin) shall be treated by the doctor of doctors – Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

The rich (in flesh with pride) will continue to remain in SIN and emptiness. The poor (in spirit with humility) will continue to remain in GRACE and fullness ONLY through Christ (Colossians 2:10).

Are you too proud of yourself; too self-reliant and too “rich” to ignore the Love of Christ or Are you humble enough to fit through the eye of a needle and embrace the “richest” Love of Christ??