Blessing and Woe: Part 1

March 7

(Luke 6:20, 24 NIV)  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God… {24} But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”

(Matthew 5:3 NIV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 6:24 NIV)  ""No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

(James 5:1-5 NIV) “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. {2} Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. {3} Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. {4} Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. {5} You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”

“Blessed are the poor.” These words can be interpreted both materially and spiritually. Jesus spent much of His time with people who were poor in both ways. They just seemed more interested in the kingdom of heaven. They had no power or wealth to protect. They were more dissatisfied with what the world had to offer, and thus, closer to the kingdom of heaven. This is why Jesus said, “Woe to the rich.” We cannot serve both God and Money. Love of money will warp every spiritual decision. It captures our heart and we begin to base our life choices on how our finances will be affected. Materialism is in constant conflict with spirituality. Woe to us if our goals in life revolve around growing and preserving wealth. When we pursue the material, we will seldom take the time to pursue Jesus. This is the bottom line with God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day