Rich We Are

Homelessness is certainly one of the tragedies of our day. I distinctly recall the first sign of homelessness and poverty our oldest son witnessed on the streets of New Orleans. His young heart was obviously moved. Jesus said to His disciples, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heave" (Matthew 5:3). Clearly, there is great blessedness in possessing nothing! He wasn't referring to physical poverty nor homelessness; rather, Jesus speaks of a heart that is not entangled with worldliness and worldly possessions. The word "poor" that Jesus used actually referred to the common beggar seen in the streets of Jerusalem. Tozer describes the poor in spirit as those who "are no longer slaves to the tyranny of things" (The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer). For sure, there's nothing wrong with having things; the problem is when our things have us! Jesus' says we only possess everything (the kingdom of heaven) when we embrace poverty of spirit and soul. When we become spiritual beggars - fully dependent on The All-Sufficient Savior - we find out just how ... rich we are!