Jesus Was Poor!?

Jesus Was Poor! Who Told You That?

What Did Jesus Really Teach About Wealth and Poverty?

One of the craziest statements I hear from Christians is, “Jesus was POOR” And I say, “know wonder you’re broke believing that!” 

 A few weeks ago I posted a photo and link to purchase my new book Pathway to Christ and I had a good friend of mine posted a comment on it in the group I’m in, and this is how that conversation went: 
ME: “Keep believing! It’s in God’s plan for you to prosper and live in His Purpose.”

 POSTER: “And God’s purpose is to recreate Christ Jesus IN US so that we can lead others to salvation through Jesus shed blood in preparation for our eventual outgoing and Heavenly residency. The Bible is clear: Do not store up riches on Earth, but in Heaven. I want to be prosperous in long suffering, in patience, in charity, and in humility. I'm blessed with a job and can meet my financial obligations without excess as long as I live within my means.”

 Now I don’t have an issue with him wanting this type of lifestyle, however, my response went a little like this;

 ME: “If that’s what you believe God’s Purpose for your life is I’m happy for you. I tend to stand on what God has promised us in His word about laboring and toiling, and Solomon said it best; ‘This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their lives, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5:18-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 POSTER: "Broad is the way...."

 ME: Amen! “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way” (Matthew 7:13). I’m so glad you are on the same pathway my brother! That means you will buy dozens of my book and bless others that need to know the joy of salvation as we do. Because that is the main focus of my book, leading others to Christ so they too can enjoy all that He has purposed for them to do for the kingdom.” 

 POSTER: “As usual God's Holy Spirit is active. This was posted today by one of my followers”:
“2 Ti 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  
2 Ti 3:13 But evil men and impostors shall advance worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. To say that things have gotten better in the spiritual sense is to admit that you have not studied history. Shortly after Paul's death, the church was persecuted worldwide. Then came the end of the Roman Empire and the evangelical church went underground as the Catholic Church, starting out well, turned to global domination mode in the physical sense.
The Holy Roman Empire subjugated most of Europe until the end of the Middle Ages and the Reformers brought in the English Bible and a schism took place between Protestants and Catholics until the Great Awakening. Since that time, evangelical Christianity is being brought into subjection to new ageism, modernism and postmodernism which now rule churches. And verse 13 has come true.”

 ME: “What does any of this have to with buying my book and sharing with those lost in sin?”

 POSTER: “Probably nothing to do with book sales but everything to do with sharing with those lost in sin, AND to those of us still living IN sin. Sorry if you think this is not the place for such posts. I can refrain in the future.” 

ME: “Now you will have to buy four of my new books...Pathway to Christ, one for you and three to give away” End of discussion.


Here is my disclaimer: Broke folk… can’t help broke folk! I find that only the people that are broke say things like, “Money ain’t everything” and “Money is the root of all evil” or “I’m content with what I have.'' That's because you haven’t had a lot of money before, or you had it and lost it. You were not a good steward over what God gave you. But don’t rain down poverty curses over those that trying to make a good living for themselves. Because even that’s not biblical. 

 You being poor is a choice. You choose, by your lack of unpreparedness in your life, to reap a harvest of want. Jesus was “poor” on purpose for a purpose, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9) 

 Let me say this in all sincerity, as Christians, the way we view wealth should be derived from the Scriptures. Look, there are many times in the Old Testament that God gave riches to His people. King David’s son Solomon was promised riches and in fact, he became the richest of all the kings on the planet.

 We know the story of how God told Solomon to ask Him for anything and his request, I would go on record to say that it set God back on His heels, here is what God said,  And God said to him in 1 Kings 3:11-13 (“Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days”).

 Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom (2 Chronicles 9:22).

David said in 1 Chronicles 29:12: “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.” 
Abraham (Genesis 17-20) 
Jacob (Genesis 30-31)
Joseph (Genesis 41)

King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:5), and many others in the Bible were blessed by God with wealth. 

 If you know the history here, they were a chosen people that had earthly promises and earthly rewards. They were given a land and all the riches it held. So why can’t we, those that are serving and trusting in God while we are laboring and toiling, receive many of the same blessings our forefathers received?  

 Why is it that the only blessings from God we are ashamed of, and we apologize for, is wealth? It’s like we should feel condemned for having money, or should I say have a lot of money. But the fact of the matter is, I can do a heck of a lot more with more. I can help feed more people. I can help clothe more people. I can give more to those organizations that are already in place to help the less fortunate. 

So, what is your "respectful" opinion on whether Jesus was poor or not? (backed by scripture). 
To be continued...
Resources:
(D. Jones) What Did Jesus Really Teach About Wealth and Poverty?

Life's Word Ministry
Location: California, USA

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