Beggar

Monday, January 19, 2009: Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

James 2:5

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Why are the poor rich in faith? The rich don’t need faith; their wealth provides their need, or so they think.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009: Mark 12:42–44

Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

What is the lesson here? God gave us all He had — His only begotten Son!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009: 1 Corinthians 13:3

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Doesn’t sacrifice of self or money count for something? Nothing can profit us anything in God’s sight if unaccompanied by love.

Thursday, January 22, 2009: 2 Corinthians 6:4, 10

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

What is prayer? Prayer is asking God to give a friend what you can’t give.

Friday, January 23, 2009: Galatians 4:9–10

But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Doesn’t following the Law count for anything? If eternal life depends on faith, not following the Law, how can following the Law please God when you can never follow it?