How Poor Am I ?

While the idea of putting away alarm clocks for a new season of life is exciting, there’s definitely an element of apprehension.  It’s not so much what to do and where go, but rather can I afford to do and go.  More time free for family, friends, and adventures sounds lovely as long as there’s a moderate-to-little daily opportunity to stumble over one another!

 

Much to our shame God’s people have always been of an independent mind!  My Mama used to call this being “too big for your britches,” which translates into thinking too highly of yourself.  That high-and-mighty-ness led to a being taken down “a notch or two,” and that was usually anything but pleasant!  When the Christian prays from a pure heart, it is a heart that knows well its poverty. “Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” (Lamentations 3:41).  Don't you see the humbled posture, as one empty and in need?  In a culture that presses us to seek rational ways – instead of the Divine – of reaching our potential and meeting our needs, the idea of soul-poverty is absolutely not popular!  Embracing yourself as weak and frail defies the humanistic world-leaning!  Scripture reminds us, however, “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14).  Is there perhaps anything more "nothing" than dust!  Charles H. Spurgeon writes, “The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self.”  By the very act, the one who prays from real poverty knows his place, and is pleading One Who is both able and willing to supply all needs.  For sure, financial planning for the future is wise, and it quickly lets you know where you are and if you really can put away those alarm clocks!  Approaching our All-Mighty God from a complete lack of self-sufficiency is also wise, and nothing compares to the return rate of riches The Father gives.  It’s really a good question: how poor am I?