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Holy Stuff

Article: Who Are The Poor?

As we all know, money and worldly honour has never satisfied the soul; and many who travel in the high society circles of big business, entertainment or even royalty, have been left starved of that divine assurance and spiritual hope that comes from knowing the Gospel of Christ. Why?

Simple; the rest of the world assumes that everything’s OK because they have lots of money or are forever in the media spotlight.

God is seeking souls amongst the rich as well as the poor; and there are many whom He desires to have a personal relationship with, but the financial ties that bind them to the world hold them firmly. (Matt 19:24)

For the rich and famous to take their position within the family of the church, they must overcome some very real, unique and often unbearable pressures that many believe are resolved by the acquisition of wealth, power or popularity; but are in fact the cause of many of their problems. (1 Tim 6:9-10)

There are as many, if not more divorces, suicides, alcoholics and drug addicts amongst the affluent and the celebrity set than those of lower incomes or less glamorous professions.

So, should not a special effort be made to win these souls. Who, because of their responsibilities and associations in the world of the high earners, are in danger of either not knowing, or worse still, hearing and rejecting the Gospel of Christ in order to save face amongst their peers or when making the next multi-million dollar business deal.

In reality however, many long for an end to this void in their spiritual lives, made all the more empty by today’s ‘anything goes’ attitude where faith and salvation can either cut and paste from a number well-to-do sources, or simply earned by doing good things; in some cases bought for cash if the price is right.

Just think for a second; if you could pick and choose a faith from a catalogue and receive God’s grace and mercy via a cheque book, then doesn’t that devalue the sacrificial death of Jesus on the Cross to the level of just a pointless exercise by a brave, but stupid man.

The Bible condemns no man for being rich if he has acquired his riches honestly. So often, we pray for those who are poor, the sick or those struggling in adversity; but prayers are also needed for the men and women of the world entrusted with prosperity and influence.

For unless such people make God their dependence, the wealth and positions of authority they have been entrusted with will serve as nothing more than idols in their lives; and the needs of their fellow men will be at best an after-thought.

No matter how much fame, fortune, power or position a man or woman holds, without the truth of the Gospel in their hearts, they are the poorest souls that this world has to offer.

They need to have their eyes turned from the pursuit of material things in order to see the preciousness of the enduring riches of Heaven; and learn that the joy of giving comes through a spirit of obedience to God's word.

You cannot serve both God and money (Matt 6:24), but money and power in the hands of a Godly person will almost certainly be a blessing to others.

And what of our brothers & sisters who already live in faith surrounded by these pressures? The world's eyes will have already focused on them hoping that they will fall from grace at some point and be all to ready and willing to say "where is your god now?"

Well, if you know anyone in this position, pray for them and encourage them daily. If you don't know anyone, pray for any celebrity or business tycoon and be sure not covert what they have.