So Wealthy In Christ!
"I know your works, tribulation,
and poverty (but you are rich)."
Revelation 2: 9
The Christians in the ancient city of Smyrna were
materially poor. Generally speaking, that meant not
having food for the day at the beginning of the day.
When Christ said to them, “I know
your…poverty,”
that meant “near destitution.” But in spite of their
severe poverty, Christ said they were rich.
Smyrna was a rich city in the Roman empire. But Christians in
Smyrna were marginalized by Romans for their unwillingness to
worship the emperor and by the Jews for their newfound faith in
Christ. Thus, Christians existed at the bottom of the economic
ladder.
Christ encouraged them in His letter to the church, reminding
them that they were spiritually rich even when materially poor.
This was consistent with what Paul later wrote concerning God’s
provision “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:19).
Make sure the riches you focus on are heavenly riches,
not earthly ones. As you go about your day, focus
first
on His Kingdom, remembering all else will be added
to you (Matthew 6:19-21, 33-34).
"If our principal treasure be as we profess, in things
spiritual and heavenly, (and woe unto us if it be not
so!) on them will our affections, and consequently
our desires and thoughts, be principally fixed."
John
Owen
