Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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You and I, all of us now on the earth, who truly know the Lord and His Word should know that we will never own riches in the things of this world for the earth and all it contains belong to the Lord. {Ps.24:1} And that includes us by the way! The Lord never intended for man to own anything. He did however choose to give man stewardship and possession, dominion and care over everything. {Gen.1:28-30}
He has also made a promise to us believers, His children, that He would supply all of our needs through His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. {Php.4:19} Have you ever heard those beautiful words of David, 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.' {Ps.23:1} 'Needs' are not the issue, however 'wants' are obviously the problem today! The world spends untold millions and millions of dollars every day on advertising and promotions that are designed to create a desire for worldly things. That also requires people to be dissatisfied with what they currently have.
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy saying that if we have food and covering, our basic needs, we should be content. {1Tim.6:8} He also wrote to him in his next letter saying that in the last days, perilous times, men would be lovers of self and lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God among many other evils. And he was writing about the 'religious' people as he said that they would hold to a form of godliness but deny its power! {2Tim.3:2-5}
How blessed we disciples of the Lord are to be poor in spirit and free from the bondage of greed, which is an idol {Col.3:5} and a very harsh taskmaster. In those very last days men will at long last see the futility of having trusted in silver and gold and will cast their silver and gold to the bats and moles {Is.2:19-20} or just fling it into the streets. {Ez.7:19} King Solomon noted throughout history for his riches certainly came to know the truth as he wrote that he who loves money will not be satisfied with money! {Ecc.5:10} The world says that ‘money talks’—Jesus agreed, He just said that it lies. {Mat.13:22}
Jesus said that no one can serve two masters, you cannot serve God and mammon, the wealth of this world. {Mat.6:24} So, as Joshua said so very long ago as he was leading God's people into the land of promise, 'choose for yourselves today whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' {Jos.24:15} And the promise of Jesus in today's verse will come to pass as we enter into the kingdom of Heaven, our new, perfect and everlasting home!
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:15-17)
LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND |
