Poor, Yet Rich!

One Sunday many years ago I had read the verse printed above before coming to church, but I didn’t really understand it. Little did I know that I was going to have a visual before me that would emblazon its meaning on my heart.

Upon arriving at the morning service, I talked with our visiting missionaries. They were to share their call to the mission field with our congregation in the service. The man and his wife had been serving as a pastor in a church here in the states and the work had gone very well. Then the man visited one of their supporting missionaries on the field of Brazil. After returning home, he couldn’t get the Brazilian people off his mind – or out of his heart. His wife, willing to follow wherever the Lord led her husband, was also excited about the new ministry that awaited them so very far away.

I sat and listened to them that Sunday morning dumbfounded. They shared about getting rid of nearly all their earthly possessions so that they would be free to go and share the Good News with people from a land whose language they did not yet know. There was no sadness at the “loss” of their belongings – only great joy at the gain of their new call. In a material way they had nothing.

As I sat and listened to them, tears streamed down my face. They had “made themselves poor” by the world’s standard, but it was obvious that they were indeed very rich with spiritual blessings. God had provided for them all that was necessary to get them to the field, they had already seen souls saved, and they had the blessing that comes with being obedient.

On the other hand, there are many who make themselves rich, as stated in the first part of the verse, but they are very poor. They have a house that is full, but they are empty inside. The garage may have more than one car, but they no longer bring fulfillment. Vacations take them away, but the emptiness follows them. The void is from a lack of a relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone can bring fulfillment that is lasting, meaningful, and worthwhile.

As I read this verse in Proverbs again this week, I was reminded of my dear friends in Brazil, as well as the importance of keeping eternity in view. One day all that we have here will be left behind. Why should we be so encumbered by accumulating things? Let’s be determined, with the Lord’s help, to be satisfied with whatever He provides. It will be enough and we will be rich – even if we’re poor!

Rich in Him,