Poor No More!

I grew up poor.

In our household, “silver spoons” was a show on TV, and “greenbacks” were earned by lying in wet grass. Grocery shopping happened once a week—or every two weeks—and everything was generic and bought in bulk. Our house was heated with wood, which didn’t cut or split itself. There was no central air, internet, cable TV, computer, or cell phone. Video games? Unless you count an Atari with broken controllers, we didn’t have them.

Dirty clothes were hauled to the laundromat once a week—or washed by hand and hung beside the wood stove. You learned to wring the jeans well, or they’d still be damp in the morning. Dad cut my hair in a rickety kitchen chair while smoking cigarettes and listening to the shortwave radio. Injuries were generally self-treated. I don’t remember going to a doctor or hospital for much of anything.

We certainly didn’t live in a palace.

As he started the Beatitudes, Jesus wasn’t talking about physical poverty when He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

The poor in spirit are those who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy. They understand they have nothing to offer God that can purchase forgiveness or earn salvation. They come with empty hands and an empty heart, knowing they need Him.

Jesus often used physical conditions to reveal spiritual truths. And to the poor, the lonely, and the broken who listened to Him, He offered something money could never buy: hope. God’s eternal kingdom is available to those who recognize their need and open their hearts to Christ.

The spiritually poor can be poor no more—not because they suddenly become rich in earthly things, but because Christ fills what sin left empty.

I’m thankful I no longer have to endure many of the hardships of my childhood. But I’m far more thankful that God showed me my spiritual poverty and offered me the free gift of salvation through His Son.

One day, I’ll experience the fullness of His kingdom..along with all who have placed their faith in Christ! We shall be poor no more forevermore!