Thank God For Poverty

Christianity is paradoxical James 1: 9-10 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

“The Elder’s Handbook On How To Be Poor And Downtrodden” Epistles by James and Peter “The Elder’s Handbook On How To Be Poor And Downtrodden”

I Peter 4: 12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

Paul practiced what Peter and James preached. Colossians 1: 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

Trials produce good 1st Argument : James 1: 3-4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Earthly status is only temporary 2nd Argument : Earthly status is only temporary James 1: 9-11 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

I. Expressions of gratitude are expected to be characteristic of all Christians.

Jesus : Apostle Paul : For food, answered prayer Churches, serving Christians

The giving of thanks must be part of the Christian’s life. Ephesians 5: 19-20 Be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Thank God for salvation. Colossians 1: 9-12 … we have not ceased to pray for you … 10 … 11 strengthened with all power, … 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

The giving of thanks is an integral part of worship.

I Corinthians 14: 15-17 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

I Timothy 1: 12-14 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, 13 even because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13: 15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

II. God is generous but He expects gratitude for His generosity.

Luke 17: 11-19 While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; 13 and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When He saw them, He said to them, " Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed. 15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, continued …

Luke 17: 11-19 … continuation turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, 16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine — where are they? 18 Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" 19 And He said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has made you well."

Christians receive with gratitude I Timothy 4: 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected IF it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

Thank God for our salvation Colossians 2: 7 As you have received Christ … so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Express gratitude by serving Hebrews 12: 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

III. The Christian’s gratitude is not just in response to physical blessings.

Matthew 6: 31-33 “Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Things can never satisfy desires. Ecclesiastes 5: 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.

Citizens of the kingdom of Heaven must keep their focus on their eternal home.

Colossians 3: 1-4 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Ecclesiastes 2: 18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity.

Don’t use the world’s standard James 1: 9-10 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

This world is temporary but the next one is not. Thank God for. eternal salvation.

Our challenge is to stay focused on the things that are eternal.

Is this the best you’ll every experience OR Is it the worst ?

Thank you For dying for me !