When The Poor Can Be Rich

Having the privilege to have spent my entire life traveling, I’ve naturally seen differences in cultures, variances in landscapes, exotic and unusual fruits and vegetables, and I’ve listened to different languages being spoken.  There is one common thing that I’ve observed in all the countries in which I’ve traveled, and that is the poor.  I see no difference in the poor in spite of culture or food or language.  

One has only to look deep into their eyes to see a hopelessness, a quiet despair, a resignation of their fate.  Currently traveling around Africa, it is the poor that never escapes my attention.  They spread their personal belonging along sidewalks hoping someone will purchase them.  They walk from car to car in cities, knocking on windows to sell bags of fruit.  It’s the same everywhere I go — the poor are existing rather than living.

Observing the poor does two things for me:  It reminds me to be thankful for all that I have because in the eyes of so many, I am rich.  Then, it reminds me that, beyond the physical world in which we live, anyone can be rich spiritually.  I love the verse in James 2:5, “Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him?”  In my travels I often ask the Lord to please help me to be aware of opportunities to share His riches.  His Kingdom is available to all who want it.  Imagine, an eternal Kingdom of love and peace, and joy unspeakable, all for the asking.  

Whoever comes to Him, rich or poor, Jesus accepts them all.  The poor can be changed into princes and princesses when Jesus takes up residence in their hearts, sealing them with the promise that — one day they will inherit His Kingdom.  His is a Kingdom that will never fall.  It will stand forever.  As the song says, “Oh, what a glorious day that will be when at last I shall see the One who saved me.”

What is the road that takes us to this Kingdom?  John 3:16.  May the rich and the poor discover that narrow path that leads to God’s eternal Kingdom.  May you and I remain aware of opportunities to point the way to others.