The Great Exchange – Riches for Poverty
Jesus took our poverty that we might have eternal riches; “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes, He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Before we get into riches and poverty lets take a look at what Jesus said in
Matthew 6:31, “Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things, the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”Show More
It seems clear that Jesus is saying that our focus in life needs to be “the kingdom of God” that is the spiritual nature of the kingdom on earth and seeking His righteousness, which is pursuing what is right in God’s eyes, not necessarily what we think is right. All of this means that we need to be sure that we are pursuing the truth and not a lie. For all of us will experience trouble, but we need not be afraid, for Jesus is with us by His Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul warns us in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” What the Apostle Paul was saying is to make sure you are following the truth and not just what sounds appealing. I recently read a quote that speaks to being careful who or what you follow, “Any halfway clever devil would decorate the highway to Hell as beautiful as possible.” Anon. We must be cautious, all of us can be influenced by what we would rather hear or see than the truth. However, it’s the truth of God that will set you free!
THE CONTROVERSY
The subject of prosperity or poverty is one of those subjects of debate throughout Christendom. The two extreme sides are the “name-it and claim-it” group, and the “poverty is Godliness” group.
- The “name-it and claim-it” group believes that God wants to give them every earthly riches, ease, and pleasure. Just release your faith, and God will give it to you. You are a “King’s kid” therefore, you deserve it all. These are very appealing ideas but fly against the truth of God’s Word, as we will see.
- On the other hand, the “poverty is Godliness” people proclaim that suffering in this life is the means of glory in the next life in Heaven. That sacrifice, going without, and suffering is the means of glorifying God. Frankly, that is not such an appealing idea, and it also goes against what God’s Word says.
Now you might conclude from these two extreme statements that the truth must lie between the two! A little bit of pain and a little bit of joy, but also that is incorrect. So, what is the truth about prosperity and suffering according to the Scriptures?
NO ONE ESCAPES THIS LIFE UNSCATHED FROM TROUBLES.
Trials and tribulation, you will have! No one escapes it. It is a part of life on earth, and the Scriptures make that clear. The word tribulation or tribulations is used over 30 times in the New Testament. Jesus never talks about Believers avoiding the trials and tribulations of life but that as Believers pressing through them. It is how we handle the trials and tribulations of life that glorify God!
Glorifying Jesus through our words and deeds is the point of the Christian life. Whether in prosperity or poverty! It is your love for God that glorifies Him. By love, I mean love, not as a sentimental love or feeling but a love that obeys Jesus regardless of the trials and tribulations we find ourselves in. This kind of love demonstrates faithfulness, whether you are in prosperity or poverty, success or failure, happiness or sadness, health, or sickness.
We must be careful to understanding that there is a Worldly perspective and a Biblical perspective of the world we live in. In many ways, they are opposed to one another. Jesus makes it clear that we are in the world but not of the world, and our citizenship is Heaven- even now. We are now ambassadors representing the King of kings and the Lord of lords on this earth.
DEFINING RICHES – THE WORLD AND GOD’S VIEW
World view– Riches, success, or wealth can be referred to by the three G’s- Gold, girls/guys, glitter, in other words, money, lust, and power. Look at what 1 John 1:15 has to say about the world view, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” In light of these verses, you have to ask the question, are you seeking His righteousness?
God’s view– has to do more with who you are rather than what you want in life! In other words, God is more interested in your character than your image, position, or possessions. Jesus wants you to move in the nature of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You see, if you have His Holy Spirit and His Holy Spirit has you- then and only then will you experience the love and peace of God which surpasses all understanding!
DEFINING POVERTY – THE WORLD AND GOD’S VIEW
World view- The world’s view of prosperity is connected to happiness. Happiness depends on the conditions you find yourself in. When everything around you is good, then you are happy. Yet, if the circumstances are bad, then you are unhappy. Therefore, circumstances control your happiness. If you can’t control your circumstances, you will be unhappy! Everyone will agree that we are not always in control of our circumstances.
God’s view- Jesus is more interested in your joy than happiness. Joy does not depend on circumstances. Joy depends on knowing Jesus and being in a relationship with Him. John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Mother Teresa said the following: “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty.”
PROSPERITY
The word prosperity in the Bible has more to do with success in the journey we call life than the accumulation of possessions or wealth. It is being at peace with your situation, knowing that God is truly in control. It’s embracing the promise that He, the Lord, will never leave you nor forsake you. It’s knowing that all things are possible with God! Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” This is what prosperity is in Christ!
As leaders, we cannot preach what is popular, we must preach the truth! There is no doubt that the prosperity message of success and wealth is popular, but it appeals to the wrong spirit. Leaders can attract crowds and followers by preaching the prosperity message alone. However, many fall away when trials and tribulations come. And that is because they are taught to ask, but they ask amiss, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)
3John1:2, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” When your soul prospers because of your personal journey with Jesus, you will genuinely prosper in all things. You will possess something that the world cannot, nor can it understand, the spiritual nature of your peace. Regardless of your circumstances right now, you are born-again; you are a son/daughter of God, your eternal life is secure, and you have a friend in Jesus.
CONCLUSION:
Prosperity or poverty? That is the question!
God wants you to be successful. It isn’t that God doesn’t want you to have material blessings; the issue is your motivation. Why do you want success! Is your desire for success to please the Lord or to please yourself?