Notes of Faith April 16, 2025

Wealthy in Christ

I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich).

Revelation 2:9

The Christians in the ancient city of Smyrna were materially poor. Generally speaking, that meant not having food for the day at the beginning of the day. When Christ said to them, “I know your…poverty,” the word for “poverty” was one that meant “near destitution.” But in spite of their severe poverty, Christ said they were rich.

Smyrna was a rich city in the Roman empire. But the Christians in Smyrna were marginalized by the Romans for their unwillingness to worship the emperor and by the Jews for their newfound faith in Christ. Thus, the Christians existed at the bottom of the economic ladder. But Christ encouraged them in His letter to the church, reminding them that they were spiritually rich even if materially poor. This was consistent with what Paul would later write concerning God’s provision “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Make sure the riches you focus on are heavenly riches, not earthly ones. As you go about your day, focus first on His Kingdom, remembering that all else will be added to you (Matthew 6:19-21, 33-34).

Matt 6:19-21

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Whatever we gather in earthly wealth, it is temporal, eventually it will not exist. But the things of God are eternal and if we seek them we know that we are indeed rich, whatever our circumstances in this life. There are always unexpected things that come up that cost us money. Money is an easy place to focus. But we must pray, trust God, knowing that all things belong to Him, and all that we have is on loan for a short period of time. Be secure in your faith, trusting God to meet every need. He abundantly supplies faith even in times of severe poverty.

Pastor Dale