Who wants to be poor?
It’s not something we aim for. Poverty is unappealing. We’d rather run away from it than run towards it.
Even though Jesus did say:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
We typically want more (of whatever), not less.
What Do You Need?
I sat in a metal chair underneath a tent last Saturday morning for Outdoor Church. It’s a once-a-month service for the homeless and poor in our community, followed by a free meal. One of my friends, Brenda, sat beside me.
We were worshiping along with the church who had volunteered to lead that day. Brenda was rubbing her leg as we sang.
She had had a rough night of pain. Actually a rough year. A rough life.
She’s been disabled for awhile. Money is scarce. Her medical needs go unmet if insurance won’t cover them. Her vehicle barely works. Her housing is minimally sufficient.
Yet after the first song, Brenda leaned over, smiled, and whispered in my ear: “I’m so glad I came today. I really needed to be here.”
Where Is God in Poverty?
We’re asking on the blog all month, “Where is God?” I often wonder where is God in poverty. I see people weekly who are poor in finances, poor in physical and/or mental health, poor in support networks.
Where is God in poverty?
I saw on Saturday.
In Brenda’s poverty, she saw God.
In our wealth, we often miss Him.
Jerry Bridges says in [amazon_link id=”1631466232″ target=”_blank” ]The Blessing of Humility[/amazon_link],
“People who are poor in spirit see themselves as utterly dependent on God and His grace in their lives. They recognize that they are dependent on God even for life and breath (Acts 17:25).”
Embrace Poverty?
We each are poor in some areas.
But if poverty of any sort awakens our desire for God, maybe we shouldn’t fear it so much.
Maybe we should embrace our poverty, our dependence. After all, aware of it or not, we are . . .
- Dependent on God,
- Dependent on His resources, and
- Dependent on His grace.
And in our desperate dependence, like Brenda who was desperate to get to Outdoor Church, we, too, will find what only God can provide.
Maybe it won’t be wealth as we typically define it: bigger bank accounts or physical healings or changes in circumstances.
These Riches
But it can be increased riches in the midst of the poverty, in the form of greater hope and lasting contentment and deeper faith.
“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”
James 2:5
So instead of clinging to our scarcity mindsets (“What if there’s not enough to go around???”), may we learn to trust in our God of abundance (yes, He came to give us THAT kind of life, John 10:10).
Among the poorest of the poor on Saturday, God was here:
- In the impromptu sing-along of “Amazing Grace” among the broken in the crowd (i.e., all of us),
- In the free grilled hamburgers and take-home plates that filled empty stomachs, and
- In the attention and the hugs and the face-to-face individual conversations.
Jesus wasn’t scared of poverty. He used it to make us rich.
May we go and do likewise.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9
Look at these 8 types of poverty identified by Potter’s House, a ministry I visited in Guatemala who work among their poorest of the poor. Which type of poverty do you see most often? Which do you personally identify with? Please share your thoughts on poverty in the comments.
This brings tears of gratitude to my eyes, Lisa. Just to think how “rich” I am in Jesus. The effects of past abuse and chronic illness drain me sometimes that I may wonder where God is in all of it, but God has truly used them to draw me closer to Him. And looking at all the types of poverty there is, I am rich indeed. Thank you so much for sharing Brenda’s story and how in our wealth we can miss the depth of God’s love and goodness. I loved the video, too. Blessings and hugs to you!
I need to be reminded myself of how many riches I have in ways outside of money. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “I don’t have enough” mentality, whether it’s health or time or sunny days, etc. I appreciate you sharing this, Trudy. You’re a beautiful example of how God’s presence makes a difference now.
Excellent post, Lisa. We do all tend to count our blessings by using numbers… even when we know that a number can’t calculate the amount of riches we’re blessed with daily.
Looking back at the toughest times in life I found myself “drawing nigh unto Him”, which in hindsight was the best times in my life.
Thanks for the heart and reminder.
Yes, looking back at the hardest times, I also see those as huge turning points of growth. It’s not necessarily how I wish it would be. :) But I am very grateful that God can redeem our poverty. Thanks for sharing, Floyd.
Sweet gentle reminder to count our blessings…Lisa, I am grateful for all the Lord has given and all He has done.
God Bless your heart, friend.
Thanks, Ifeoma. The time is always right to count our blessings. You are one of those blessings.
Well done Lisa! What a thought provoking post. I love this powerful reminder of God’s provision. Since the stroke, I have learned the true meaning of being prosperous in Christ. For years I thought it was defined by my bank balance and other things but my dependence on God has made me more prosperous than ever before. I have peace as my relationship with God grows stronger each day. I may not always understand His plan but I trust Him. My apartment is smaller and my pain is difficult at times but because of Jesus’ grace I am rich in Him! Thanks for sharing this inspirational post. Have a wonderful weekend and may God bless you and yours!
What a beautiful testimony you give, Horace. I know the stroke is nothing anyone would ever ask for, but it’s encouraging to hear how you’ve found grace through it. I love this: “I may not always understand His plan but I trust Him.” That is a huge gift! Thanks for sharing.
That’s a good thought, that we’re all poor in some way. Those who seem to “have it all” materially might be lacking in other areas. “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling.”
Those lyrics are a perfect addition here, Barbara. Thanks for adding them. We too often think that empty hands aren’t good, but they work best for clinging to the cross….
Wow, this is so interesting. Food for thought. This past year has been our toughest one yet, financially for several reasons–but reading this makes me so aware of what REAL financial poverty is–but it’s also brought us to our knees like no other year, forced us to depend on God in new ways. Thanks for sharing this, friend.
I appreciate you sharing from the trenches, Betsy. To realize our dependency on God is a richness that we can take for granted until something forces us to come face-to-face with it. Praying blessings on your family and faith!
I love this post especially since I’m reading St. Francis’ story right now, and taken by his vow of poverty and the basis of his ministry that spread through the centuries. I love Potter’s House thoughts on the kinds of poverty..so thought provoking! Just adore the woman sitting next to you in church, what big faith and surely how we can learn from those with much less. I remember visiting my friend’s mother’s friend’s shack in Mexico..one burner stove, one room with a bed, and 3 children..and one radio. I had the best meal and the most fun I ever had, partially because of this woman’s great spirit and joy! So appreciated this beautiful post!
Wow–that is good timing to be reading about St. Francis. It’s hard for me to imagine how people–then and now–would willingly and intentionally take vows of poverty, but it inspires me to loosen up a bit on my own stinginess. That shack you visited in Mexico…things like that stay with us, yes? I remember visiting similar homes in Guatemala near the city dump; such poverty of finances and resources unlike any I’d seen before, yet there were still people of faith sprinkled throughout. We do overestimate what wealth can give us. Thanks for sharing, Kathy.
The measure of our wealth goes so much deeper than the shallow place of finances, doesn’t it? He fills our spirits with something so much richer, so much more sustaining, so much more freeing. Grateful for His rich grace. Thank you for sharing, Lisa. ((grace upon grace))
Exactly. As we’ve been memorizing Matthew 6 this season, Jesus is reminding us of these truths again and again, that it’s not outward showings that mark a person, but the inward nature of their heart. And God specializes in giving us that wealth. Thanks for sharing this!
I have so much to be thankful for! While we don’t have as much as others, we do have more than some. My husband and I were just talking about the comparison of earthly and heavenly riches. I’d rather be poor now and enjoy my riches in heaven.
I love your attitude, Lori. May we all follow your example and count our blessings both here and promised yet to come.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder that our deepest struggles bring us our greatest wealth. I love the ministry you are involved in and it shows in your writing how passionate you are about it! When we reach in the hard places of life and reconcile them with the love of Jesus, we share hope. And with that, I sure HOPE you come by on Monday to link up with me again at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and big smiles,
Lori
Such a beautiful message of faith, Lori. Thanks for sharing your words of hope and love about what Jesus can do with our hard times.
Honestly, I don’t want anything in my life that comes between me and my God. And while material things are not the only things that do so, they are much more likely to seduce our hearts. As you said, “In our wealth, we often miss Him.” is so true, Lisa! Lot’s of encouragement and conviction here, friend!
Beautifully said, June. We don’t want anything that will come between us and God! Sometimes it’s easier said than done—I don’t always recognize those things at first. But once we do, may we be brave enough to release the hindrances and grasp onto God all the tighter. Blessings to you.