Possessing Nothing

There’s little excuse any more for lack of know-how.  With online documents and videos, there’s instruction to complete any imaginable task.  The Internet is literally a know-how haven!

 

How do you become a person of poverty, or why would anyone even want to?  It's so contrary to this wealth-materialistic driven culture.  Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3).  How nonsensical to be poor so you can be rich!  The word “poor” as Jesus used it is the picture of a common beggar in the streets of Jerusalem.  And, He wasn't referring to the lack of material things but rather the concept of "soul-poverty."  If I look in my wallet and find no dollar, the thought comes to go to the bank ... or Mr. Bill's wallet.  It is this very simple concept of knowing what I lack that drives me to seek what I need.  The problem most Christians have is we think we possess all we need: with enough gumption and fortitude we can be-it-all, have-it-all, do-it-all.  We have swallowed that lie [of Satan’s] hook-line-and-sinker!  Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25).  I love how Jim Elliot, martyred missionary to the Indians , said it: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  The know-how to owning it all -- the spiritual kingdom of God – is actually in possessing nothing!  God loves the poor in spirit – they are His choice vessels!  And, that’s the know-how to possessing it all!