The following is a bunch of questions that I have asked myself in recent months that have led to a big change in the way I think and slowly changing the way I live. I present them to you to make you think.
What if Jesus meant exactly what He said?
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
What if He was not speaking just metaphorically "poor"?
Luke 6:20-21 And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
What if He was serious?
Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor..."
What if He was deadly serious?
Luke 14:33 "So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions."
What if money is detestable to God, not just the love of it?
Luke 16:9, 14-15 "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; for when it fails, they my receive you into the eternal dwellings." ... Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things, and they were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is destestable in the sight of God."
What if the wealthy need our prayers, not our envy?
Luke 18:24-25 "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
What if we must share in His poverty in this life?
Philippians3:10 "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death..."
2 Corinthians 8:9 "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."
What if making a profit from ministry resources is wrong?
1 Timothy6:5, 9 "... who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ... But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction."
What if those who use all sorts of positive "faith" confessions are the ones Jesus was talking about?
Revelations 3:17-19 Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eyesalve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent."
What if God's definition of true riches is totally opposite to the world's?
Revelation 2:9-10 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
What if making a profit from ministry resources is wrong?
1 Timothy6:5, 9 "... who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ... But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction."
What if those who use all sorts of positive "faith" confessions are the ones Jesus was talking about?
Revelations 3:17-19 Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eyesalve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent."
What if God's definition of true riches is totally opposite to the world's?
Revelation 2:9-10 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
What if the truly rich are not those who have the most, but those who can be content with the least?
1 Timothy 6:8 "And if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
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