Our poverty in spirit makes us feel useless. But because Jesus came to be poor, we can live above our impoverishment and be abundantly rich.
Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites..so he called his disciples to him and said…[they] gave out of their abundance but she out of her poverty…
Mark 12: 43-44, NKJV
I’ll never forget the first few years of marriage. My husband Rodney and I had 2 degrees, and a lot of love, and a little debt. Our premarital counseling was full of plans and nice budgeting charts. I knew we were suppose to struggle early on. It was normal for couples to save, and in time build a life. Poverty really wasn’t on my radar.
My Poverty…
I was marrying a minister, and he had a masters to work on. That would require sacrifice, hard work, and delay. We started a family, and then we had our third child. All my well made plans came to a halt. Because of his health, we started the road down Medicaid, and disability, and specialist, and therapies. One week in the hospital ran into thousands and thousands of dollars. I was in the midst of poverty. But, my poverty was not just financial. It was spiritual, physical, and emotional. I was spent in every way. Depleted and dry.
Attending church in the middle of the chaos became the only praise I could muster. I was getting no sleep, and I had a toddler and a kindergartener. My husband worked full time and went to school full time. My third child went on oxygen around the clock and I was at the end of my rope. The community Bible study I was in was studying 2 Corinthians and one verse leaped off the pages at me.
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, NKJV
His Poverty…
Can you wrap your mind around that? The king of the universe Jesus, the Son, poor? He owns it all. Every knee will bow before him one day. He became impoverished for me. My savior willingly gave all away so that I could be rich. The riches I own are not the kind I can put in the bank, though God has taken care of every financial need we have ever had. The riches I own are not always supernatural strength or intellect. My body can be tired and my heart can be very broken. My child is still sick 16 years later. But, my Jesus is enough. My heart can trust in His finished work.
[Jesus] made himself of no reputation taking the form of a servant…
Romans 2:7, NKJV
Why would he willingly take on poverty? Why would he willingly become nothing? The only answer is to reconcile us to God.
For there is only one God and one mediator who can reconcile God and humanity- the man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5, NLT
Abundant Riches…
While I fight being impoverished in every way, Christ poured himself out willingly. This can be a lesson for me in so many ways.
Jesus allowed himself to be a humble servant. I can follow his example and willing serve others within in my sphere. I can also allow others to serve me when I am poor and depleted.
Poverty in mind, body and spirit may make me feel useless, but it is not the worst place to be. The worst place to be is without Christ. Christ can inhabit my meager widow’s mite and use it for great kingdom work. My sufficiency is not based on my own riches but on his.
God himself can be my supply. I have not liked the dependence having a chronically ill child has brought, but I have seen miracles and provision in ways that I could have never imagined. I may fight neediness but I am needy. The cross proved that and has given the antidote- my surrender.
What about you? How is God speaking to your heart about your own poverty? Do you know him and his rich grace? Are you fighting his ability to speak into your own poverty? Do you think you have to fix it all yourself?
He is enough for today and for every tomorrow.
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Poverty in mind, body and spirit may make me feel useless, but it is not the worst place to be. The worst place to be is without Christ. Click To Tweet
Jesus purposely became poor so that we could have access to all the riches that He dies to give us. These riches are way better than financial–the spiritual riches are what get us through difficult times. And God supplies our needs, too.
Oh yes. I really fight this because I worry about my own finances when there has not been one need He has not richly supplied. I am so grateful He supplies regardless of my fear.