Christ in the midst of Poverty

About one third of the people in this world are poor. Many people are suffering and are finding it difficult to even to meet their most basic needs of their lives. Even many Christians are poor especially in the developing nations. There are many preachers who say that Christians are meant to be rich because Christ has died for them and removed all the curses. So they say if a person is poor, then it means that he is still under the curse. For example, look at the quote of a famous prosperity preacher, Benny Hinn on poverty:

“Poverty is from the devil and that God wants all Christians to be prosperous” - Benny Hinn

It is true that poverty can be due to our own sinfulness. Bible says in Pro 10:4, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” also in Pro 13:18, “Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.” It is clear that out of our own sinfulness and laziness we can become poor. Sometimes it can be due to punishment of God for our past sinfulness (Deu 28:36-44).  But that is not the only cause of poverty. Bible shows that even righteous people were poor for the sake of their righteousness. Job became poor because of his righteousness. If Benny Hinn and his friends are right, then the captain of our salvation, Lord Jesus Christ would be the most cursed being in this universe. He suffered so much that he did not even have a place to sleep (John 8:1). If the ultimate aim of a Christian is to become a billionaire, then we should be following Steve Jobs rather than Jesus Christ since Christ is a very bad example.

Christ did not come to this world to make us rich, wealthy and prosperous. Jesus said in John 18:36, “My Kingdom is not of this world”. Christ came to save us from our sinfulness and redeem us from our eternal condemnation and Hell. He bought us salvation from the punishment we rightly deserved for our sins. Christ promised that, ‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."(Joh 16:33). And He also promised for eternal happiness and riches in the new heavens and the earth.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev 21:4)

Though Christ prophesised that we will be suffering in this world, yet He has also given this wonderful promises too:

God will provide us for our basic needs:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (Mat 6:31-32)

God has promised us to provide us the basic food and clothing to live in this world. He has not promised us food from Taj Hotel, accommodation in a Castle or drive a Ferrari, but He did promise us that we would get our daily food and clothing till we die.

So how should a Christian respond to riches and poverty?

1) Christians should help their poor brethren:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1Ti 6:17-19)

It is our duty as a Christian that we should help our poor brethren. Bible has examples of so many faithful Christian saints, who have helped poor brethren in Christ to the point that they have lost all their wealth (2Cor 8:2). Bible says, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2Co 9:6-7)”.  Jesus said, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' (Mat 25:40).  So we need to cheerfully give our wealth for our poor brethren.

2) Love of money – Root of all evil:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
(1Ti 6:10)

Anyone can be tempted to become rich, since rich and poor people are all depraved. But this temptation is very high with rich people. There were so many people who lost their faith due to their love of money. Remember the young man who was not willing to follow Christ for the sake of his wealth (Mat 19:16-24)

3) Godliness with contentment:

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1Ti 6:6-8)

Our treasure is Christ. To be content does not mean that we should be living in a cave or a monastery without anything but to be satisfied only in Christ. The reason why people crave to become rich and wealthy including preachers like Paul Dinakaran, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Sam P Chelladurai etc., is because they think that they can be satisfied by money. But they fail to realise that only an infinite being can satisfy and bring true happiness to man, which is only God (Pro 27:20).  We are not going to be living in this earth forever. So why spend our entire life thinking about becoming rich? Therefore let us rest upon Christ and not upon our wealth so that we would be using the God given blessings of this world for His glory.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Heb 11:13)