Why do so many Christians think it is "Godly" to be poor?

I had an interesting talk with a young lady recently.  She was a student majoring in Social Work but she was switching her major to business.  I jokingly said "What? Decided you didn't want to be poor your whole life?".

She immediately went to great lengths to assure me that she had no concern for money what so ever.  She wanted to go work in the mission field and she had no regard for money at all.  There was this undertone of piety in her "poorness".

I've run into this before and it always leaves me wondering if the person ever read Scriptures like the ones below?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8(NKJV)

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 

Now I think many would agree that going to the mission field is a "good work".  Instead of piously assuming the mantlehood of poorness in the mission field why not stand on God's promises instead? 

After all, who is going to be able to do more good for God on the mission field?  Someone who is poor as a church mouse or someone whole can actually get things done and has the resources to change people's lives for the better? 

Did you realize….?

That there is only one thing that can separate us from God?

Romans 8:37-39(NKJV)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The only thing that can separate us from God is us.  We hold the power of that decision.  Nobody can take our faith away without our permission.  I take great comfort in that!

"Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? "

What do you think? 

Romans 3:5-6(NKJV)

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 

Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

To answer this question many people will focus on whether a loving God can inflict His wrath and still be just.  I think that is a backwards way to approach the question. 

I think the proper question is "is God a just God"?  To answer that question we need to look at the definition of just.

just1

1. guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness:

We hope to be just in our understanding of such difficult situations.

2. done or made according to principle; equitable; proper:

a just reply.

3. based on right; rightful; lawful:

a just claim.

4. in keeping with truth or fact; true; correct:

a just analysis.

5. given or awarded rightly; deserved, as a sentence, punishment, or reward:

a just penalty.

6. in accordance with standards or requirements; proper or right:

just proportions.

7. (especially in Biblical use) righteous.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/just>

In looking at the definition I'd answer that yes God is a just God.  It is part of His character.  I'd say Scripture shows that He is guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness. 

So the way I see it, since we have established that God is indeed just then we have to concluded that the actions He takes are indeed just.  Therefore it is just for Him to "inflict wrath".  Make sense? 

Who is the more righteous?

I love the way Romans 2 puts this.  The one who follows the law or follows the will of Christ even though they have never heard the good news is more righteous than those who have heard the Gospel, accepted Christ, but don't follow through are. 

And once again I find Scripture that tells me that there isn't a magic incantation to be saved.  Just to recap what I am talking about, I have been comparing what Jesus said it takes to be saved to what the rest of the NT says.  Most Christians have been raised with the belief that you have to believe in your heart and say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord to be saved.  However I can't find anywhere that Jesus said that.  With Jesus it was a total heart issue.  In this passage Paul seems to be agreeing with Jesus.

Romans 2:5-11(NKJV)

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 

who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 

eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 

but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 

tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 

but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

For there is no partiality with God.

Do you see anything there about specific wording?  It seems to me that the message is that it is a heart thing.  And where your heart is focused is demonstrated by the things you do or don't do for God.  Does that make sense?

And just to be clear I don't think there is anything wrong with believing in your heart and saying with your mouth.  Nothing wrong with that at all.  It is a good thing.  I just don't think it is necessary for being saved. 

"mutual faith"

Why spend so much time studying Scripture?  Well one reason is right here.

Romans 1:12(NKJV)

that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

We learn how important faith is and we also learn how to build our faith.  One of the ways to build our faith is by being in Scripture because it gives us the foundation that our faith is based on.  Another way is to hear and read the stories of others so that we "may be encouraged together" by our "mutual faith" . 

There are several ways to do that.  One of them however is one that I had forgotten about.  Guideposts Magazine.  This magazine comes out every month.  It always has great stories of faith in it.  The do have a website and I would encourage all to check it out.

https://www.guideposts.org/

If you have never read anything from Guideposts before, here is an article from 1984 by the actor Ned Beatty.  Enjoy!

https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/inspiring-stories/stories-of-faith/guideposts-classics-ned-beatty-on-making-room-for-god

Paul's journey to Rome.

One of the things that strikes me about Paul's journey to Rome is all the freedom he had.  He was allowed to go visit people along the way and he was trusted to return to the ship.  Once in Rome he got to live in his own house for two years. 

Acts 28:30-31(NKJV)

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 

preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

And yet in the end Paul is killed for Christ.  To what purpose one might ask?  He was free to preach for two years in Rome before they finally get around to dealing with him.  The question in my mind is why didn't God just let that continue? 

My guess is that at some point there was more value in Paul being martyred than in Paul continuing to preach.  It was all the same to Paul because his heart's desire was simply to be obedient to God and spread the Gospel of Jesus in any way he could.  That is one of the things I admire about Paul.

Can you hear me now?

In Acts 27 it tells the story of Paul making the trip to Rome and how hard it was.  Shipwrecks and all of that.  Here is just an example.

Acts 27:27-38(NKJV)

Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 

And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 

Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 

And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 

Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 

The lesson that stands out to me is that no matter how chaotic things got, Paul was still able to hear and trust God.  Very cool!

Let God guide you!

Seems simple enough doesn't it?  Just let God guide you.

But how do you do that?  You stay in the word, you pray, and you wait for God to lead you.  If you aren't felling it then pray some more.  God will lead you if you give Him a chance. 

Just listen for His leadership……and then act when He does provide that leadership!

Make sense? 

God is….Gracious

We often hear that God is gracious.  Here are some of the verses that say so.  Before we go to the verses however, let's take a look at the definition of gracious so we are all on the same page. 

gracious

1. pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.
2. characterized by good taste, comfort, ease, or luxury:

gracious suburban living; a gracious home.

3. indulgent or beneficent in a pleasantly condescending way, especially to inferiors.
4. merciful or compassionate:

our gracious king.

5. Obsolete. fortunate or happy.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/gracious>

I think definitions 1 and 4 would be the most applicable here. 

So God is gracious.  Who is He gracious towards?  I believe He is gracious towards those who are of the family of God.  In other words, towards those who have accepted Jesus.  That is different from many who say that God loves everyone and therefore He is gracious to all.

I both agree and disagree with that statement.  In the sense that God makes salvation available to everyone I and therefore is gracious, I would agree.  But in the sense that God is "pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous, I would disagree.  That "special treatment" if you will, is reserved for God's people.

Now let's take a look at a few Scriptures.

Exodus 22:27(NKJV)

For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.

Exodus 33:19(NKJV)

Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 

2 Kings 13:23(NKJV)

But the Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.

Nehemiah 9:31(NKJV)

    Nevertheless in Your great mercy     You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;     For You are God, gracious and merciful.

Strange customs

They sure had some strange customs back in the day.  Check this out.

Acts 21:17-26(NKJV)

And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 

On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 

When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 

but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 

What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 

Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 

Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 

But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

How does that prove that Paul is telling the truth?  Doesn't it seem more like he would be buying their testimony with this approach?

Paul's Touch

I just noticed this.  I had not thought about this before.  There is a parallel here to the story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment.  But Jesus was still in the garment when she touched it to receive His healing power. 

Acts 19:11-13(NKJV)

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 

so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 

Here we have cloth that simply touched Paul and was no longer touching him that is used to heal people.    And just to be clear this power wasn't attributed to Paul because Paul was very clear that he was speaking in the name of Jesus.  Wow!

No other name!

No other name than Jesus.  Seems pretty simple to me. 

Acts 4:12(NKJV)

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

What I find so interesting is the criticism Christians get for believing that Christ is the only way.  The reason I find it interesting is that other religions believe they are the only way and nobody criticizes them for their belief.   For example Muslims believe that their way is the only way.  No criticism of that.  Why do you think that is?

What do you think "true justice" means?

 

Zechariah 7:8-9(NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 

“Thus says the Lord of hosts:      ‘Execute true justice,     Show mercy and compassion     Everyone to his brother.

What do you think "true justice" means? 

Why???

I read this verse and my first thought was why? 

Acts 16:1-5(NKJV)

Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 

He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 

Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Why circumcise him?  Who's going around looking at his penis all the time?  The disciples had already said that circumcision wasn't necessary for non-Jews.  I just don't get why Paul felt it necessary. 

God is….Salvation

Well right off the bat I am seeing two types of salvation.  There is the traditional, eternal salvation that we normally associate with God but there is also a here on earth "salvation" as well. 

Interesting.  The Scripture below is an example of what I am talking about.  Moses tells the people "don't worry, God is going to save (salvation) you from your enemies, the Egyptians. 

Exodus 14:13(NKJV)

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 

It almost seems that the references to salvation in the OT are more about salvation here on earth vs. in Heaven. 

Psalms 79:9(NKJV)

    Help us, O God of our salvation,     For the glory of Your name;     And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,     For Your name’s sake!

Lamentations 3:26(NKJV)

    It is good that one should hope and wait quietly     For the salvation of the Lord.

Micah 7:7(NKJV)

    Therefore I will look to the Lord;     I will wait for the God of my salvation;     My God will hear me.

Luke 1:77(NKJV)

    To give knowledge of salvation to His people     By the remission of their sins,

Acts 4:12(NKJV)

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Revelation 7:9-12(NKJV)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 

and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 

saying:      “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,     Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,     Be to our God forever and ever.     Amen.”

Interesting stuff!