Word@Work Luke81 - Luke 6:20
Published: Wed, 04/14/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
POOR AND BLESSED
Luke 6:20 Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (NIV)
Before Jesus, and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church, God showed His favour to people in granting material prosperity. But not many in the Early Church were blessed in that way (1 Corinthians 1:26). Indeed, Jesus seems to have a special ministry to the poor, not giving them wealth - but dignity and courage because they knew He valued them. Indeed He commended the poor widow above the wealthy religious leaders when she gave away everything she had (Mark 12:42-44).
Riches so often get in the way of depending on God (1 Timothy 6:17); the poor do not have that problem. Of course, deprivation can bring bitterness to people who are in rebellion against God. But those who look to the Lord will always find blessing. His own disciples had left everything to follow Him (Luke 5:11, 28) and they were first in Jesus' mind as He looked at them and placed this blessing at the top of His list. He wanted them to know that they had not left their financial security for nothing: He had called them to be part of His Kingdom. The goal of their faith was not earthly riches but the salvation of their souls (1 Peter 1:9).
When God pronounces blessing, God's people can relax and rejoice because He will do whatever is needed to ensure that we enter into all the good He has set before us. The poor with faith are far happier than rich people without God. That is not to say that poverty is good; but that blessing comes to our house when we trust in God's love and are content to be dependent on His provision. Likewise, while it is good to relieve poverty, if the gospel is not proclaimed and embraced, the new comforts can become a snare to the soul. So the most important thing in life is to know that you are included in God's Kingdom. See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more. Although many at work may be seeking greater wealth, your life and attitude should demonstrate that you believe God's way to happiness through Christ is much more valuable.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for allowing Jesus to give up the splendour of heaven so that He could live in our fallen world, without our usual comforts, and be put to death for our salvation. Forgive me when the lust for wealth motivates me to work with a greedy attitude; or when I try to get things wrongly. Help me to see that Your love is all I need and that You will not abandon those who trust in You. Although the love of money empowers many of my friends towards their own ruin and sometimes even invades the church, help me to see every deprivation as an opportunity to trust You more. May my Christ-like attitude strengthen the resolve of my work colleagues to seek a different way, and to find satisfaction in Jesus alone. For His Name's sake. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Before Jesus, and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church, God showed His favour to people in granting material prosperity. But not many in the Early Church were blessed in that way (1 Corinthians 1:26). Indeed, Jesus seems to have a special ministry to the poor, not giving them wealth - but dignity and courage because they knew He valued them. Indeed He commended the poor widow above the wealthy religious leaders when she gave away everything she had (Mark 12:42-44).
Riches so often get in the way of depending on God (1 Timothy 6:17); the poor do not have that problem. Of course, deprivation can bring bitterness to people who are in rebellion against God. But those who look to the Lord will always find blessing. His own disciples had left everything to follow Him (Luke 5:11, 28) and they were first in Jesus' mind as He looked at them and placed this blessing at the top of His list. He wanted them to know that they had not left their financial security for nothing: He had called them to be part of His Kingdom. The goal of their faith was not earthly riches but the salvation of their souls (1 Peter 1:9).
When God pronounces blessing, God's people can relax and rejoice because He will do whatever is needed to ensure that we enter into all the good He has set before us. The poor with faith are far happier than rich people without God. That is not to say that poverty is good; but that blessing comes to our house when we trust in God's love and are content to be dependent on His provision. Likewise, while it is good to relieve poverty, if the gospel is not proclaimed and embraced, the new comforts can become a snare to the soul. So the most important thing in life is to know that you are included in God's Kingdom. See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more. Although many at work may be seeking greater wealth, your life and attitude should demonstrate that you believe God's way to happiness through Christ is much more valuable.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for allowing Jesus to give up the splendour of heaven so that He could live in our fallen world, without our usual comforts, and be put to death for our salvation. Forgive me when the lust for wealth motivates me to work with a greedy attitude; or when I try to get things wrongly. Help me to see that Your love is all I need and that You will not abandon those who trust in You. Although the love of money empowers many of my friends towards their own ruin and sometimes even invades the church, help me to see every deprivation as an opportunity to trust You more. May my Christ-like attitude strengthen the resolve of my work colleagues to seek a different way, and to find satisfaction in Jesus alone. For His Name's sake. Amen.
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