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The Sad Truth Behind So Many Rich People

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Philippians 4:10-12

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

CONSIDER THIS

There are two sets of values that live on two separate planes—one visible and the other invisible. On the visible plane we have wealth and poverty. On the invisible plane there is abundance and scarcity. A person can be financially wealthy yet be possessed by scarcity to such a degree that they might as well be in poverty. In other words, there are many rich people in the world (on the outside) who live like poor people (on the inside). To the contrary, there are many poor people in the world (on the outside) who live from an incredible place of abundance (on the inside). Wealth and poverty are the external, visible circumstances while scarcity and abundance are the internal, invisible realities. Paul gets this and gets at it in today’s text.

The kingdom of this world is a kingdom of scarcity. The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of abundance. Some of the wealthiest people I know live in the kingdom of scarcity. Paul shows us what living in the zone of the kingdom of abundance looks like.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

There is only one antidote to the cancer of scarcity: radical generosity. People of scarcity get richer and richer on the outside and more and more impoverished on the inside. It’s why Jesus said it was so hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:23-24). This is why Jesus instructed the rich young ruler to sell everything he had and give the money to the poor and come and follow him (Matt. 19:21). He knew the rich man’s money had him. This is the sad and painful truth behind so many rich people. They aren’t rich at all.

There’s nothing so disheartening than to ask someone of great means for help and to be turned away. On the other hand, there’s nothing quite so gratifying when someone who seemingly lacks the capacity to help you does so in a surprising way. This explains Paul’s exuberant gratitude for the Philippians. Of all the churches he served, only the Philippians came through and helped him. Something tells me they were the least likely.

Abundance has nothing to do with how much or how little we have. We will get to the secret of this way of life tomorrow.

THE PRAYER

Abba Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus, who is pure abundance wrapped in a cloak of scarcity. Thank you for the way he shows us how to find his abundance in the most unlikely places, even in the least of these. Fill us with the generosity of the Holy Spirit that we might give as you give. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

THE QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever seen someone who appeared rich but who was actually a scarcity person? How about a person who appeared poor but who was an abundance person? Reflect on that.
2. Are you an abundance person or a scarcity person?
3. How can you grow as a person of abundance in the midst of plenty and in the midst of need?

For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com

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WHAT IS THIS? Wake-Up Call is a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus that transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.

Comments and Discussion

2 Responses

  1. While I really don’t know that many rich people (by the world’s standards), I’ve read where many times the folks who have won the lottery are more miserable afterwards. On the other hand, I’ve spoken with folks who have done foreign missionary work and tell of how generous and hospitable those who were poor by worldly standards were towards them. Then there are many examples of wealthy individuals who seem never to have enough to be satisfied. Would consider myself as a scarcity person on the road to recovery. I believe as Americans we don’t fully understand how truly materially blessed we really are. And we are surrounded by a culture that tries to persuade us to pursue more wealth. To grow out of being a scarcity person, in my opinion requires a number of steps. First of all we need to look at our material wealth in comparison to the rest of the world. Secondly, we should realize that our material wealth can be either a blessing or a course depending on how we use it. Thirdly, we should be in prayer to determine how God would have us use our time, talents and gifts in service for His kingdom. The love of money truly is the root of evil.

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