The Poor and The Church: What God Told Us to Do with Them
The poor, the church, the church leaders, and money have been an ongoing discussion that seems to not leave anytime soon.
As "important" as this discussion sounds and with the divergent thoughts among the body of Christ surrounding it, the Bible (Word of God) is pretty direct on it.
I have at one time been constantly critical of how the Church doesn't do much for the poor folks in it. Of how the church leaders enjoy the "collective good" of the church alone (A topic for another day) while the poor go deeper into hunger and needs.
I really did criticize bro. I was pretty vocal.
Mind you, this post is in no way endorsing the so many church leaders who are quite distant from the poor in their congregation. Who constantly create that "capitalistic" system in the body of Christ when we all ought to be one not exalting any above others. Helping one another by bringing our excesses to the church and sharing with one another.
Romans 12:13, Philippians 2:3-4, Luke 3;10-11, and more validate my point above. Help the poor with the substance of food, clothing, water, and anything that helps them physically.
But these are very temporary measures as these don't promise that the poor will suddenly become wealthy by always being at the other end receiving from those that have.
This post is for the poor folk who want to change their fortune around and of course, become wealthy because that is God's desire for His children.
3 John 1:2 says
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
That tells you God's desire for your life although the ball entirely lies in your court as God has given you everything you need to succeed.
2 Peter 1:3 says,
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
The "godly life" means the triumphant life. How can you even have God's kind of life and fail? God forbid.
So to the poor in the fold, you need to pursue one thing alone and that is a change of perspective especially in an economically unbalanced environment as the church.
Don't get comfortable with always expecting to be given something by the "rich" amongst us. That's a defeatist mindset and it irritates God. Move beyond and rather get what Matthew 11:5 recommends. It says,
"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."
...and the GOOD NEWS is proclaimed (preached) to the poor!
God even knows that poverty is not a natural experience for those in Christ! Those outside Christ might be experiencing it but as soon as you turn to Him, it (poverty) has to leave immediately.
But it's only a factor of how much you are willing to hear and meditate on the word of God. This is where the problem lies for so many. Even the rich in the fold.
The answer brethren is listening to the word of God every time and every day.
Of course, when it comes to wealth, you don't need to fix your money problems first rather you need to fix your mind (yourself) first.
Share this post if you got value and do remember to turn to God through Christ by saying this prayer.